House of Representatives to Discuss Red Proper Rating of Nickel Smelters PT VDNI and PT OSS Amid Environmental Pollution Claims
KENDARI — The House of Representatives (DPR) will bring the alleged environmental pollution case involving nickel smelters PT Virtue Dragon Nickel Industry (VDNI) and PT Obsidian Stainless Steel (OSS) to the Working Committee (Panja) of DPR Commission XII for discussion with relevant ministries.
The statement was made by Commission XII member Rocky Candra during a visit to Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, on Friday (11 July).
He said Commission XII visited Southeast Sulawesi after receiving reports regarding the red rating under the Company Performance Rating Programme (Proper) given to PT VDNI and PT OSS since 2021.
"We are investigating this matter and have requested statements from VDNI and OSS," said Rocky Candra during a discussion with the two companies in Kendari.
The DPR, he continued, had also received reports that more than five thousand residents had sought treatment at community health centres for acute respiratory infections (ISPA).
"This is also a separate concern regarding environmental impact, in addition to the red Proper rating," Rocky Candra explained.
He disclosed that Commission XII would refer the matter to the Ministry of Environment (KLH) to deploy a team to inspect all environmental cases in the PT VDNI and PT OSS industrial zone in Morosi subdistrict, Konawe regency, Southeast Sulawesi.
"So that the KLH Law Enforcement unit can examine all of this," he said.
Rocky Candra affirmed that following the meeting with the two companies, the DPR would convene a session on the case together with the Working Committee of Commission XII, the Ministry of Environment, and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM).
"Yes, we will bring this to the Panja," Rocky Candra stressed.
Meanwhile, PT OSS representative Mr Wang, speaking through an interpreter, said the company would review regulations related to its business operations.
"We at OSS will certainly comply with existing regulations in Indonesia. We were not aware of this information and will look into it further to understand what has actually occurred. Once we know, we will certainly take action," Mr Wang explained.
The Unaaha District Court in Southeast Sulawesi is handling an environmental lawsuit registered as case number 28/Pdt.Sus-LH/2024/PN Unh. The suit was filed by the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) Southeast Sulawesi together with residents affected by the operations of PT OSS and PT VDNI, alleging environmental damage in Morosi, Konawe, Southeast Sulawesi.
The lawsuit is based on environmental damage, violations of health rights, and economic losses. Walhi Southeast Sulawesi hopes the case will set an important precedent for environmental law enforcement in the region and halt industrialisation that disregards public safety.
The statement was made by Commission XII member Rocky Candra during a visit to Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, on Friday (11 July).
He said Commission XII visited Southeast Sulawesi after receiving reports regarding the red rating under the Company Performance Rating Programme (Proper) given to PT VDNI and PT OSS since 2021.
"We are investigating this matter and have requested statements from VDNI and OSS," said Rocky Candra during a discussion with the two companies in Kendari.
The DPR, he continued, had also received reports that more than five thousand residents had sought treatment at community health centres for acute respiratory infections (ISPA).
"This is also a separate concern regarding environmental impact, in addition to the red Proper rating," Rocky Candra explained.
He disclosed that Commission XII would refer the matter to the Ministry of Environment (KLH) to deploy a team to inspect all environmental cases in the PT VDNI and PT OSS industrial zone in Morosi subdistrict, Konawe regency, Southeast Sulawesi.
"So that the KLH Law Enforcement unit can examine all of this," he said.
Rocky Candra affirmed that following the meeting with the two companies, the DPR would convene a session on the case together with the Working Committee of Commission XII, the Ministry of Environment, and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM).
"Yes, we will bring this to the Panja," Rocky Candra stressed.
Meanwhile, PT OSS representative Mr Wang, speaking through an interpreter, said the company would review regulations related to its business operations.
"We at OSS will certainly comply with existing regulations in Indonesia. We were not aware of this information and will look into it further to understand what has actually occurred. Once we know, we will certainly take action," Mr Wang explained.
The Unaaha District Court in Southeast Sulawesi is handling an environmental lawsuit registered as case number 28/Pdt.Sus-LH/2024/PN Unh. The suit was filed by the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) Southeast Sulawesi together with residents affected by the operations of PT OSS and PT VDNI, alleging environmental damage in Morosi, Konawe, Southeast Sulawesi.
The lawsuit is based on environmental damage, violations of health rights, and economic losses. Walhi Southeast Sulawesi hopes the case will set an important precedent for environmental law enforcement in the region and halt industrialisation that disregards public safety.