Minister of Environment and Forestry Siti Nurbaya Bakar disclosed in a hearing with the House of Representatives (DPR) Commission IV on Thursday, August 31, that 351 industrial companies contributed to air pollution in the Greater Jakarta areas, or Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi.
“We have identified 351 business units, including diesel power plants (PLTD),” Siti said. As of August 28, the ministry prioritized the handling of 161 industrial companies which should be completed within the next five weeks.
Previously, the ministry shut down 11 chimneys found to be emitting smoke in Lubang Buaya, East Jakarta and Bantar Gebang, Bekasi of West Java. As of Thursday morning, the ministry had inspected 18 industrial firms that were allegedly responsible for the air pollution.
Siti claimed that these efforts had resulted in improved air quality in the areas. Initially, the ministry discovered 48 independent coal-fired steam power plants (PLTU) and diesel power plants (PLTD).
“We have already had the report on PLTU, and then on PLTD, we have studied it together with all the regional governments of Jabodetabek. So we have a map of the source of the problem,” Sti said.
Since August 21, the KLHK has dispatched 100 personnel to six locations, namely Marunda, Cakung, Kelapa Gading, Pulo Gadung, Bekasi, and Karawang. The team was tasked to monitor and take stern action against immovable sources of pollution, such as PLTU and PLTD, industrial companies, trash burning, electronic waste, and others in the Jabodetabek area. The KLHK also sought to reduce emissions from mobile sources, such as motorized vehicles.
