Illegal Waste Dumping Site in Bekasi Shut Down by Ministry
- VIVA/ Dani.
Bekasi, VIVA – The Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLH), through its Environmental Law Enforcement Team (Gakkum), sealed an illegal waste dumping site in Bekasi on Friday (Nov 22).
Satellite imagery analysis and drone data revealed that the illegal dumping area covered approximately 0.75 hectares, located along the banks of the Cikarang Bekasi Laut (CBL) River.
This site had caused public concern due to environmental pollution risks and community unrest.
Rasio Ridho Sani, Acting Deputy for Law Enforcement at KLH, emphasized that decisive action was taken in response to public complaints.
Kementerian Lingkungan Hidup dan Kehutanan (KLH) melalui Tim Penegakan Hukum Lingkungan Hidup (Gakkum) menyegel lokasi pembuangan sampah ilegal di RW 09, Desa Muara Bakti, Kecamatan Babelan, Kabupaten Bekasi, pada Jumat, 22 November 2024.
- VIVA/Muhammad AR
"Environmental inspectors have examined the site and conducted the sealing," Sani stated on Thursday (Nov 28).
He explained that the suspected perpetrators include individual waste handlers collecting trash from several housing complexes in Babelan District, Bekasi Regency.
"If criminal elements are identified, Civil Servant Investigators (PPNS) will conduct investigations under Law No. 32 of 2009 on Environmental Protection and Management and Law No. 18 of 2008 on Waste Management," he said.
Field verification showed that waste at the site had been illegally accumulated since late October 2024. It originated from housing complexes in Babelan and surrounding areas, including Harapan Elok Housing, Mutiara Gading City, Panjibuwono City, North Bekasi.
"There is concern that the accumulated waste could pollute the CBL River during tidal flows," he added.S
ani further stated that Gakkum KLH had identified the suspected individuals responsible for the illegal dumping and is continuing to investigate the case in coordination with KLH's PPNS.
"The perpetrators face criminal charges under Articles 98 and/or 104 of Law No. 32 of 2009 on Environmental Protection and Management, with penalties of up to 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of IDR 10 billion. They may also face charges under Article 40 of Law No. 18 of 2008, which carries penalties of up to 15 years in prison and a maximum fine of IDR 5 billion," he concluded.
