Balikpapan Environmental Agency to Verify Nightclub's Permits Amid Licensing Controversy
BALIKPAPAN — The Balikpapan City Government continues to follow up on the controversy surrounding the operations of Helix, a nightlife entertainment venue on Jalan MT Haryono, South Balikpapan, which is suspected of operating before completing all required permits. The city's Environmental Agency (DLH) has now moved swiftly to prepare direct field verification.
DLH Head Sudirman Djayaleksana said his office would deploy a team to the Helix venue shortly to inspect environmental documents, particularly the Environmental Management Declaration (SPPL), which the venue claims to have processed through the Online Single Submission (OSS) system.
"The information we received from colleagues at the DPMTSP licensing office indicates that Helix has indeed processed its SPPL through OSS. However, we want to verify whether what is written in the document truly matches conditions on the ground," Sudirman said when contacted by media on Wednesday (11 June 2025).
**Examining Document Completeness**
According to Sudirman, processing an SPPL online is permitted under the OSS system, particularly if the business type is categorised as having low environmental impact. However, in the case of Helix, there are suspicions that the environmental risk category entered into OSS does not correspond to the actual purpose of the building.
"If we look at the site plan, the building is a hotel containing a restaurant and pub. If that is indeed the case, then this business cannot be categorised as a low-risk activity requiring only an SPPL. They should be required to have a UKL-UPL [Environmental Management and Monitoring Plan], or possibly even an AMDAL [Environmental Impact Assessment]," Sudirman stressed.
The DLH will investigate whether there were errors in the OSS data input by the management, or whether there was misleading information in the permit issuance process. He said this was important to prevent abuse of the online licensing system currently being promoted by the central government.
He also explained that during the inspection phase, the DLH team would not only examine administrative document completeness but also assess the physical condition of environmental management carried out by Helix's management.
"One thing we will certainly examine is their wastewater management — whether it meets standards, whether there is a wastewater treatment facility (IPAL) or not, and how the disposal system works," Sudirman said.
**Not Merely a Formality**
If the inspection reveals that the business type does not match the risk category entered into OSS, the DLH will immediately take steps to review the issued SPPL document. There is even the possibility of evaluating and revoking the document if it is proven invalid.
"The SPPL is not merely a formality. In it, the business operator declares their commitment to managing and monitoring the environmental impact of their business activities. If the data is incorrect, the document is naturally null and void," he added.
Sudirman emphasised that during the inspection and evaluation process, Helix's management would not be permitted to operate. "We urge that no activities take place until all permits, including environmental documents, are fully cleared. This is important to protect the public interest," he said.
The SPPL is one of the documents obtainable through OSS, specifically for business types with low-risk categories under prevailing legislation. However, in practice, SPPLs frequently become contentious due to discrepancies between data entered into the system and actual conditions on the ground.
"Through the SPPL, business operators declare their capability to manage environmental impact according to the scale and type of their business. But if the actual business differs from what was stated, that constitutes a violation," Sudirman said.
The DLH also hopes for stronger data integration between regional technical agencies and the national OSS system in future, to prevent opportunities for data manipulation. "If from the outside the permits appear complete, but on the ground they don't match, that is dangerous. Especially for a nightlife venue, which is highly sensitive in terms of social and environmental impact," he explained.
**Building Permit Also Missing**
Previously, Helix had also been flagged by Balikpapan's Public Works Agency (DPU) for not having obtained a Building Approval (PBG) due to failure to submit a site plan. Meanwhile, the Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol PP) has set a warning deadline of 17 June. If no effort is made to fulfil permit requirements, the venue could be sealed from 18 June.
To date, Helix's management has not issued an official statement despite being contacted several times by media. Their operations, which began with a soft opening on 10 June, are considered to be in violation of several applicable administrative requirements.
The Balikpapan City Government has affirmed its commitment to enforcing regulations and ensuring that all business activities within its jurisdiction operate in accordance with proper procedures and do not cause negative impacts on the community or the environment.
DLH Head Sudirman Djayaleksana said his office would deploy a team to the Helix venue shortly to inspect environmental documents, particularly the Environmental Management Declaration (SPPL), which the venue claims to have processed through the Online Single Submission (OSS) system.
"The information we received from colleagues at the DPMTSP licensing office indicates that Helix has indeed processed its SPPL through OSS. However, we want to verify whether what is written in the document truly matches conditions on the ground," Sudirman said when contacted by media on Wednesday (11 June 2025).
**Examining Document Completeness**
According to Sudirman, processing an SPPL online is permitted under the OSS system, particularly if the business type is categorised as having low environmental impact. However, in the case of Helix, there are suspicions that the environmental risk category entered into OSS does not correspond to the actual purpose of the building.
"If we look at the site plan, the building is a hotel containing a restaurant and pub. If that is indeed the case, then this business cannot be categorised as a low-risk activity requiring only an SPPL. They should be required to have a UKL-UPL [Environmental Management and Monitoring Plan], or possibly even an AMDAL [Environmental Impact Assessment]," Sudirman stressed.
The DLH will investigate whether there were errors in the OSS data input by the management, or whether there was misleading information in the permit issuance process. He said this was important to prevent abuse of the online licensing system currently being promoted by the central government.
He also explained that during the inspection phase, the DLH team would not only examine administrative document completeness but also assess the physical condition of environmental management carried out by Helix's management.
"One thing we will certainly examine is their wastewater management — whether it meets standards, whether there is a wastewater treatment facility (IPAL) or not, and how the disposal system works," Sudirman said.
**Not Merely a Formality**
If the inspection reveals that the business type does not match the risk category entered into OSS, the DLH will immediately take steps to review the issued SPPL document. There is even the possibility of evaluating and revoking the document if it is proven invalid.
"The SPPL is not merely a formality. In it, the business operator declares their commitment to managing and monitoring the environmental impact of their business activities. If the data is incorrect, the document is naturally null and void," he added.
Sudirman emphasised that during the inspection and evaluation process, Helix's management would not be permitted to operate. "We urge that no activities take place until all permits, including environmental documents, are fully cleared. This is important to protect the public interest," he said.
The SPPL is one of the documents obtainable through OSS, specifically for business types with low-risk categories under prevailing legislation. However, in practice, SPPLs frequently become contentious due to discrepancies between data entered into the system and actual conditions on the ground.
"Through the SPPL, business operators declare their capability to manage environmental impact according to the scale and type of their business. But if the actual business differs from what was stated, that constitutes a violation," Sudirman said.
The DLH also hopes for stronger data integration between regional technical agencies and the national OSS system in future, to prevent opportunities for data manipulation. "If from the outside the permits appear complete, but on the ground they don't match, that is dangerous. Especially for a nightlife venue, which is highly sensitive in terms of social and environmental impact," he explained.
**Building Permit Also Missing**
Previously, Helix had also been flagged by Balikpapan's Public Works Agency (DPU) for not having obtained a Building Approval (PBG) due to failure to submit a site plan. Meanwhile, the Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol PP) has set a warning deadline of 17 June. If no effort is made to fulfil permit requirements, the venue could be sealed from 18 June.
To date, Helix's management has not issued an official statement despite being contacted several times by media. Their operations, which began with a soft opening on 10 June, are considered to be in violation of several applicable administrative requirements.
The Balikpapan City Government has affirmed its commitment to enforcing regulations and ensuring that all business activities within its jurisdiction operate in accordance with proper procedures and do not cause negative impacts on the community or the environment.