ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA – Mayor of Cilegon Helldy Agustian asked PT Chandra Asri Pacific Tbk to temporarily close its factory activities after hundreds of people in the area complained about pollution originating from the company.
A total of 481 people from four areas in Cilegon City, Banten Province have been affected by pollution waste from PT Chandra Asri.
“The impact of air pollution is felt up to a radius of 15 kilometers, namely Ciwandan, Citangkil, Purwakarta, Grogol and Pulomerak sub-districts, even to the Bojonegara area, Serang Regency,” said Helldy.
PT Chandra Asri’s management has opened up about the billowing black smoke with a pungent odor coming from the factory’s chimney on Saturday, January 20 2024.
Corporate Shared Value Department Manager of PT Chandra Asri Pacific, Wawan Mulyana, explained that this incident was not caused by a gas leak as in the information circulating but because of burning in the chimney or flaring.
Wawan said that on Saturday, January 20 2024, the Chandra Asri factory in Ciwandan, Anyer, Banten experienced problems with the equipment which required the company to carry out burning in the chimney or flaring. He did not explain in detail what objects were burned in the chimney.
“We do this in accordance with applicable SOPs and procedures by prioritizing the safety and health of employees and the surrounding community,” said Wawan in his statement on Saturday, January 20 2024.
He claimed that the flaring could be stopped at 11.00 and the problems were successfully handled and the impact was minimized properly. He confirmed that there were no casualties in this incident.
As a form of accountability, he said, Chandra Asri will establish health services for people who experience health problems due to these activities. He appealed to residents who experience health problems to immediately go to the nearest health service.
Affected communities who experience health complaints due to this pollution incident can undergo a health check at the nearest health center. The costs will be borne by Chandra Asri.
“We are also actively coordinating with relevant stakeholders to prioritize security and safety for both employees and the surrounding community,” he said. (AT Network)
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