Tangerang plans to deal with environmental issues
Tangerang plans to deal with environmental issues
Multa Fidrus, Tangerang
Tangerang mayor Wahidin Halim acknowledged that it was not easy
for his administration to handle environmental problems resulting
from waste dumping by industrial firms, but promised to crack
down on the perpetrators.
"It's not easy ... We cannot just close down the firms and put
thousands of people out of work, but we have to comply with the
existing laws," he said during a plenary session with the
Tangerang Council on Thursday.
Members of several factions, including those from the United
Development Party (PPP) and the National Mandate Party (PAN),
questioned the mayor on exactly how he planned to curb pollution
in the municipality, which is home to about 700 industrial firms.
The administration announced on June 10 that nine firms were
largely responsible for water and air pollution, particularly, PT
Argo Pantes, PT Cisadane Chemical Raya (CRC), PT Tonykitex, PT
Pelita Cengkareng, PT Harlipan Batik, PT Surya Renggo and PT
Lengtat.
Wahidin stated that PT Tonykitex and CRC were now being
investigated by the police, while PT Argo and PT Pelita were
being closely monitored by the Office of State Minister of the
Environment. As for PT Harlipan Batik, the administration was
monitoring them after they promised to build a waste treatment
facility.
The central environmental management office, he added, was
also auditing PT Lengtat.
"Surya Renggo has so far improved its performance in managing
its waste. The company's Japanese investors are greatly concerned
with environmental preservation," Wahidin remarked.
Separately, the Tangerang regency environmental management
agency, in cooperation with the management of Bumi Serpong Damai
(BSD) housing complex, will plant 200,000 trees and hold a Green
Fun Bike Ride in Serpong on Sunday.
The agency head Deden Sugandhi said on Friday that the event
would be officiated by state minister Nabiel Makarim.
The donated seedlings will be planted along Jl. Raya Serpong
and at several schools.
BSD executive Dhonny Rahajoe told The Jakarta Post that some
1,000 of the 8,000 residents of BSD were expected to take part in
the bike ride on Sunday.
"Each participant will be given a large plastic bag that they
have to fill with garbage they find along the route. Those who
can collect the most, will get prizes such as television sets,
computers and many other things," he said.