"We must take firm action so that it serves as a lesson for other offenders," said Rasio Ridho Sani, the ministry's Director General of Law Enforcement, at a press conference in Jakarta on Friday.
He stated that many sites are still engaged in illegal waste processing without a permit and are illegally burning trash.
He also announced the arrest of the manager of an illegal landfill in Limo, Depok, West Java.
The suspect, identified only by the initial J, has been detained and is facing a maximum prison sentence of 10 years and a fine of up to Rp10 billion (about US$641,000).
Sani said that in 2023, the ministry supervised and shut down activities at 98 illegal landfill sites and open waste-burning locations.
"Considering that there has been no deterrent effect, we are now taking firm legal action by enforcing criminal law against J," he said.
Regarding the illegal landfill case in Depok, Sani explained that an investigation was launched after residents reported that the landfill was polluting the environment by burning waste in the open.
The negative impacts reported by the community included respiratory problems and a landslide near the illegal landfill area.
The crackdown on landfills and open waste-burning sites is also part of our effort to improve air quality in Jakarta, Sani added.
"We know that the air quality in Jakarta is also deteriorating, and one of the causes is the open burning of waste," he said.
Related news: Minister relaunches four programs to boost Environmental Quality Index
Related news: Companies operating coal-powered boilers to face govt enforcement
Translator: Prisca Triferna Violleta, Cindy Frishanti Octavia
Editor: Anton Santoso
Copyright © ANTARA 2024
