The Indonesian Environment Ministry has sealed an aluminium stamping facility operated by Mandiri Pratama Intilogam in East Cikarang, Bekasi Regency, West Java, over serious air pollution violations.
An inspection by the ministry revealed that the facility was operating 10 smelting furnaces without an emissions control system.
Of those, four furnaces used a lubricating oil fuel which has the potential to produce high levels of hazardous emissions.
In addition, the air pollution control device in the form of a wet scrubber was found to be damaged and had not been functioning for more than four months.
This finding was confirmed directly by the General Manager of PT MPI during the supervision process.
As a result, emissions from the smelting were released directly into the air without treatment, thus contributing to air pollution in the surrounding area.
Deputy for Environmental Law Enforcement, Inspector General. Pol. Rizal Irawan, said: "This sealing is our firm step against business actors who ignore their obligations to control air pollution.
"KLH/BPLH will continue to take action against similar violations, both in Jabodetabek and other areas."