Environment Minister: Former DKI Environment Agency Head Failed to Comply with Landfill Management Standards

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq stated that the former Head of the DKI Jakarta Environment Agency (Kadis LH), initialled AK, did not comply with norms for handling the Final Processing Site (TPA). This was conveyed by Hanif following AK’s designation as a suspect in the case of managing the Integrated Waste Processing Site (TPST) Bantargebang, Bekasi, West Java. “He was arrested yesterday and designated as a suspect because he did not comply with norms in handling the TPA,” said Hanif in Jakarta on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Deputy for Law Enforcement (Gakkum) in Environment of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK)/Environmental Control Agency (BPLH), Rizal Irawan, explained that gradual guidance and supervision steps had been taken before designating the former Kadis LH as a suspect. “It started with administrative sanctions, then we conducted compliance checks, and it turned out there was non-compliance, we issued a second warning, and there was still non-compliance. We ordered an environmental audit, but it was not complied with, so we have gone through all stages. Not a single stage was skipped before this case entered the criminal realm,” said Rizal Irawan. The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government also stated that it will comply with the legal process for designating AK as a suspect. “We comply with the law. If that is indeed a consequence, let it be carried out. We will support what must be done for the best,” said DKI Jakarta Deputy Governor Rano Karno. He conveyed that legal assistance will be provided as this is a standard mechanism in government. According to Rano, this case serves as a lesson.