Enviro News Asia, Tangerang – Minister of Environment/Head of the Environmental Control Agency (KLH/BPLH) Moh. Jumhur Hidayat has ordered the Deputy for Environmental Law Enforcement to halt illegal aluminum smelting activities by CV TL in Kampung Kalempean, Badakanom Village, Sindang Jaya district, Tangerang Regency, following community complaints on social media about aluminum foil waste burning allegedly causing air pollution and health problems for residents of the Suvarna Sutera housing complex.
“This aluminum smelting operation has been running since 2024. Based on our inspection, this company has no Environmental Approval or Business License as required under applicable laws and regulations,” Minister Jumhur said.
The inspection team also found that similar activities had previously been carried out in Bunder Subdistrict, Cikupa district, Tangerang Regency, which was sealed by the Complaints and Environmental Oversight Directorate (PPLH) in September 2024. However, the perpetrator resumed aluminum smelting operations at a new location in Sindang Jaya.
Based on an overlay of the site’s coordinates with the Tangerang Regency Spatial Planning map through the Banten Province GISTARU system on July 16, 2026, the activity location falls within an area designated for residential use, making it incompatible with the applicable spatial plan.
“Unlicensed open burning and aluminum smelting that ignores environmental protection requirements is a serious violation with direct impacts on environmental quality and public health. The Ministry of Environment will take firm action against any business operator that disregards legal requirements. There is no compromise for business practices that sacrifice public safety and environmental sustainability,” Minister Jumhur said.
The open burning practices have the potential to generate emissions of fine particles (PM2.5 and PM10), carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, and dangerous dioxin and furan compounds. Beyond air pollution, ash and combustion residues also potentially contain heavy metals capable of contaminating soil, groundwater, and surface water. Long-term exposure to these pollutants can increase the risk of chronic lung disease, acute respiratory infections, and cancer.
The inspection team also found evidence of hazardous and toxic waste (B3) dumping, specifically aluminum slag stockpiled in an area of approximately 3,000 square meters, further reinforcing indications of violations of environmental protection and management laws.
Based on the inspection findings, KLH/BPLH concluded that CV TL is not in compliance with applicable environmental protection and management laws. The Environmental Law Enforcement Team (GAKKUM LH) has halted operations through the installation of activity cessation boards and PPLH boundary lines, with further enforcement proceedings to follow.
“All suspected violations, whether related to licensing, spatial compatibility, open burning, or B3 waste dumping, will be processed in accordance with applicable law. This law enforcement action represents the state’s presence in protecting the public’s right to a good and healthy environment while deterring business operators who do not comply with environmental regulations,” said KLH/BPLH GAKKUM LH Deputy Rizal Irawan. (*)
