South Tangerang to follow up on Commission VII's proposal to audit the warehousing district
South Tangerang City Government, Banten, has said it is prepared to follow up on the proposals and recommendations of Commission VII of the House of Representatives regarding an audit of warehousing zones, in the wake of a pesticide factory fire in Serpong that polluted the river and occurred near residential areas.
‘Following yesterday’s incident, we have asked all warehousing zones to comply with the applicable rules. We have involved the police and the attorney-general’s office to enforce the regulations,’ said South Tangerang Deputy Mayor Pilar Saga Ichsan in Tangerang on Friday.
She stated that the businesses operating in the Taman Tekno warehousing zone did not hold the proper permits as required.
‘Factories storing pesticides or hazardous materials should have special permits. This is an important lesson for all of us,’ she said.
The government also asked industrial estate managers, including Taman Tekno, to ensure all warehousing activities comply with regulations, particularly those relating to hazardous materials and the wastewater treatment installation (IPAL).
‘Existing industrial estates must truly align with spatial plans and the permits in force. We are open to investment, as long as it complies with the rules,’ she added.
Deputy Chair of Commission VII of the DPR, Evita Nursanty, previously urged the Tangsel City Government to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of permits in warehousing zones in light of the fire incident.
‘Reassess spatial planning and ensure there are no warehouses engaged in activities classified as hazardous near residential areas. The Tangsel City Government must take this moment for a proper evaluation,’ she said.
The fire at PT Biotek Saranatama, which stores pesticides, has contaminated the Cisadane River over an area of approximately 22.5 kilometres, affecting South Tangerang, Tangerang, and Tangerang Regency.
Regarding the incident, the Ministry of Environment and Life (KLH) / Environmental Control Agency (BPLH) sealed the warehouse for handling and investigation by the government into suspected violations by the company.
The Tangsel Police’s Criminal Investigation Unit head, AKP Wira Graha Setiawan, said investigators have questioned seven people as witnesses, including employees and the operational manager of PT Biotek Saranatama.
The investigation into potential criminal violations, the inquiry being conducted under Law Number 32 of 2009 on Environmental Protection and Management.