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Governor awaits firm action against West Java river polluters
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Gearing up: President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo (right) leads a Cabinet meeting on the rehabilitation of the Citarum River in Bandung, West Java, on Jan.16. (JP/Arya Dipa)
W
est Java Governor Ahmad Heryawan said he appreciated the work of the West Java Police's Special Crime Investigation Directorate personnel who had closed three companies suspected of disposing liquid waste into the Citarum River in Bandung regency.
He hoped the law enforcers could also sanction large companies that polluted the river.
“These [closures] are a form of law enforcement measures. We should appreciate it. This must be pushed forward so that large companies that have polluted the river can be sanctioned. We should appreciate good steps, not criticize them,” said Ahmad in Bandung on Tuesday.
(Read also: Integration key to total rehabilitation of Citarum River, says Jokowi)
The police closed down three companies providing laundry services, namely Xpress Laundry, Ciharuman Laundry and Elvito Washing. The three companies were accused of disposing its liquid waste into the Citarum River without first processing it at wastewater treatment plants. The companies operated in Kampung Ciharuman and Kampung Parung Peusing in Jelegong village, Kutawaringin district, Bandung regency.
West Java Police chief Insp. Gen. Agung Budi Marwoto said the three companies had allegedly disposed of liquid waste as well as dangerous toxic waste substances from its business activity.
The companies were closed down after an investigation jointly conducted by the police and the Bandung Environment Agency on Jan.15. The police confiscated various chemical substances.
“The suspects, who are the owners of the companies, have not yet been detained because we are still waiting for the result of laboratory tests to identify the potential impact of the substances that are disposed of in waterways without being processed first,” said Agung. (ebf)
