PT Indonesia Weda Bay Industrial Park (IWIP) in North Maluku has been reported to the Ministry of Environment by Commission XII of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) for alleged environmental destruction.
Commission XII member Ratna Juwita Sari criticized PT IWIP’s environmental violations and urged decisive government action.
“The President has made it clear that no entity is above the law, whether it is a National Strategic Project or not. If it violates regulations and damages the environment, it must be dismantled,” she said during a hearing with Minister of Environment Hanif Faisol Nurofiq in Jakarta, on Monday, February 10, 2025.
During a recent inspection visit to PT IWIP in Halmahera, North Maluku, the Commission XII, led by Deputy Chairman Bambang Hariadi, witnessed severe environmental violations. The delegation included Rasio Ridho Sani, Deputy for Environmental Pollution and Damage Control at the Ministry of Environment.
“Even before visiting, he [Rasio] should already be angry. Seeing it firsthand will only make his anger complete, just like ours,” Ratna Juwita said.
She also shared how a Commission XII member was moved to tears, feeling deeply disturbed by the extent of the environmental damage.
The main concern is toxic waste disposal. “We are terrified that the waste is being dumped into rivers or the sea. Imagine the devastating impact on local communities, especially fishermen whose livelihoods depend on the ocean. This is inhumane,” she emphasized.
With growing concerns about industrial pollution, Commission XII is calling for urgent government intervention to ensure that environmental laws are strictly enforced, preventing further harm to local communities and ecosystems.
PT Indonesia Weda Bay Industrial Park (IWIP) is an integrated industrial area specializing in heavy metal processing, located in Lelilef Village, Weda District, Central Halmahera Regency, North Maluku Province. Established on August 30, 2018, IWIP serves as a hub for mineral processing and the production of electric vehicle battery components.
The company is a joint venture among three Chinese investors: Tsingshan, Huayou, Zhenshi and French’s Eramet.
IWIP has been designated as a National Strategic Project by President Joko Widodo through Presidential Regulation No. 109/2020, highlighting its significance in Indonesia’s industrial development.
Since its inception, IWIP has significantly contributed to the local economy by creating employment opportunities. As of 2023, the company employs over 45,000 workers, with 45 percent hailing from the surrounding regions.
