Environment Ministry seals used oil plant over illegal permit

Tangerang (ANTARA) -

Indonesia's Environment Ministry (KLH) has sealed a used lubricant oil recycling facility operated by PT Beringin Petroleum Energy in Tangerang District, Banten, for allegedly violating regulations on hazardous and toxic waste management.

KLH Deputy for Environmental Law Enforcement Rizal Irawan noted that the facility lacked the permit required to handle such materials.

“This company processes used lubricant oil into chemical diesel oil. It sourced used oil from various businesses and recycled it through a simplistic operation,” he remarked in Tangerang on Saturday.

Irawan explained that the facility operator is suspected of breaching multiple provisions on environmental protection, pollution control, and the management of toxic and hazardous materials.

“Its operation constitutes three categories of violations, namely criminal offenses, civil wrongs, and environmental disputes,” he said, adding that the company could also face administrative sanctions.

He further noted that the company would be primarily subject to Article 103 and Article 104 of Law No. 32 of 2009 on pollution, waste management, and environmental protection.

“I have told the owner that the facility will cease operation from now on,” he added.

He emphasized that his team had deployed its directors responsible for handling criminal and civil offenses to help address the case, alongside officers tasked with imposing administrative penalties.

Based on field inspections, Irawan continued, the oil processing company had been operating for years, suspending activities during the COVID-19 pandemic before resuming operations between 2022 and 2026.

He noted that throughout the period, the facility collected used lubricant oil and recycled it using reactors, polluting the environment in the process.

“Its offenses include polluting the air, as evidenced by two uncontrolled chimneys. While producing chemical diesel oil, it directly released combustion residue into the air, water, and soil,” he affirmed.

He then assured the public of continuous surveillance and firm action against businesses found failing to comply with environmental regulations.

“We will definitely take action against industries that pollute and damage the environment,” Irawan concluded.

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Translator: Azmi S, Tegar Nurfitra

Editor: Martha Herlinawati Simanjuntak

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