C. Java factories pollute Semarang

SEMARANG: The Central Java provincial environmental impact management agency (Bapedalda) estimates that around 800 companies are contributing to the high level of pollution in Semarang.

"The pollution from these companies is both solid and liquid waste as well as air pollution," head of Semarang's Bapedalda Widi Widodo said on Saturday afternoon.

Widi however, declined to name the companies.

He said the pollution resulted from a lack of adequate waste treatment facilities at these factories, causing poor quality of soil, water and a putrid odor surrounding the factories.

"We monitor the rivers and also water from the wells in the residential areas located in the vicinity of the factories," he added.

Separately Semarang Mayor Sukawi Sutarif also aired his concern over environmental pollution in his mayoralty.

"The mayoralty is now working on a bylaw to control environmental pollution, although it will also take some time to make the business community here aware of it," Sukawi said. (har)