ASIATODAY.ID, BATAM – Indonesia’s House of Representatives (DPR RI) has raised serious concerns over the alleged illegal import of thousands of containers of electronic waste (e-waste) by PT Esun International Utama Indonesia through Batu Ampar Port, Batam, since early 2025. The operation is suspected to violate Minister of Environment and Forestry Regulation No. P.10/MENLHK/SETJEN/PLB.3/2020 on the Management of Hazardous and Toxic Waste (B3).
Deputy Chair of Commission XII DPR RI, Dony Maryadi, emphasized that importing hazardous electronic waste without an official license constitutes a grave environmental and legal violation that must be promptly addressed by the government and law enforcement authorities.
“PT Esun has been importing electronic waste without a permanent permit. Based on our data, more than a thousand containers have entered over the past nine months,” said Dony during a working visit of Commission XII DPR RI in Batam on Wednesday, October 29, 2025.
According to Dony, the company’s argument that Batam’s free trade zone (FTZ) status allows unrestricted import and re-export of goods is not legally valid.
“They claim that because Batam is a free trade area, goods can move in and out freely. But such a practice must have a solid legal basis. We are urging this matter to be brought to the Environmental Affairs Working Committee (Panja Lingkungan Hidup) for deeper investigation,” he asserted.
Legal Accountability for Environmental Violations
Dony explained that PT Esun acts not only as an importer but also as a processor and re-exporter of electronic waste. Therefore, he stressed that law enforcement must proceed transparently and firmly if any violations are confirmed.
“If there is evidence of criminal conduct, it must be processed according to the law. We will ensure this issue is escalated to the appropriate level,” he added.
Environment Ministry Urged to Tighten Oversight
During the visit, the Commission also called on the Ministry of Environment—specifically the Directorate of Environmental Complaints and Supervision—to provide a comprehensive explanation regarding the licensing, monitoring, and follow-up measures related to hazardous waste imports in the Batam region.
The meeting also highlighted weaknesses in risk profiling and HS Code validation within Batam’s free port logistics system, which has made it vulnerable to abuse by irresponsible importers.
Safeguarding Batam’s Environmental Integrity
Data from the Batam Indonesia Free Zone Authority (BP Batam) showed that the total container volume entering the area in the first half of 2025 exceeded 590,000 TEUs. However, oversight of high-risk goods such as electronic waste remains inadequate due to poor inter-agency coordination.
“We want to ensure Batam continues to grow as a competitive industrial zone while remaining environmentally sustainable and not turning into the world’s dumping ground,” Dony concluded. (AT Network)
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