Activists accuse city officials of neglecting environmental laws after project dumps soil into river.
Batam’s Dinas Cipta Karya dan Tata Ruang (DCKTR) has come under fire for its handling of The Monde City project’s environmental violations. Activists claim the agency failed to enforce local laws after the project dumped excavated soil into Sungai Seranggong. Instead of imposing strict sanctions, officials only issued a warning, prompting public outrage.
The Monde City project, a major development in Batam, is facing backlash after illegally dumping soil waste into Sungai Seranggong in Bengkong. The act violates Local Regulation (Perda) No. 8/2003 on Environmental Pollution Control and Perda No. 11/2013 on Waste Management, both of which impose strict penalties on environmental offenders. However, Batam’s urban planning agency DCKTR has been accused of failing to enforce these laws.
Environmental activist Armen Mustika has publicly condemned DCKTR for its lack of decisive action. According to him, the agency’s failure to impose sanctions on The Monde City project is a clear violation of its duty to uphold environmental laws.
“The only response from DCKTR was issuing a warning and making a report. No real sanctions were given. This is an insult to the environmental regulations meant to protect Batam,” said Armen in an interview on February 25, 2025.
He further criticized the agency’s use of soft language in its official statement, which merely “requested” the project owner, PT Puri Karya Bersama, to clean up the dumped soil rather than mandating corrective actions.
Severe Environmental Damage and Flood Risks
The dumping of excavated soil into Sungai Seranggong has caused significant environmental damage, leading to the narrowing and shallowing of the river. According to Armen, this has already contributed to flooding in nearby residential areas, with worsening risks expected if the issue remains unaddressed.
“If it were just a minor impact, perhaps a warning would be enough. But this has clearly damaged the river ecosystem and affected local communities,” Armen emphasized.
Flooding concerns have been echoed by local residents who worry that without immediate intervention, the situation will deteriorate further. Experts have also warned that continued silt buildup could permanently alter the river’s natural drainage system.
DCKTR and City Officials Face Pressure
Despite widespread criticism, DCKTR has yet to announce any further action beyond its initial report. City officials, including representatives from Dinas Bina Marga dan Sumber Daya Air (DBMSDA), have inspected the site but have not imposed penalties on the project developer.
Activists are now demanding that the city government take legal action against PT Puri Karya Bersama. Under Batam’s environmental laws, companies responsible for illegal dumping can face fines or criminal prosecution. Armen argues that strict enforcement is necessary to prevent similar violations from other construction projects.
Public Concern Over Batam’s Environmental Future
The controversy surrounding The Monde City project raises broader concerns about Batam’s environmental governance. Activists fear that weak law enforcement could set a dangerous precedent, allowing businesses to exploit the city’s natural resources without consequences.
Local environmental groups are calling on Mayor Muhammad Rudi to step in and ensure that proper legal measures are taken. Meanwhile, residents are urging the government to strengthen monitoring and enforcement mechanisms to protect Batam’s rivers from future pollution.
The Monde City case underscores the urgent need for stronger enforcement of Batam’s environmental laws. Activists argue that without harsher penalties, companies will continue to exploit loopholes and degrade the city’s ecosystem. The response from DCKTR has raised serious questions about accountability, prompting calls for reform in the way environmental violations are handled.
With Batam’s development accelerating, the city’s leaders must strike a balance between economic growth and environmental sustainability. Residents and investors alike will be watching closely to see whether stricter measures are taken to prevent further environmental damage.
Sources: Berita Batam (2025), Media Kepri (2025)
Keywords: Batam Pollution Case, The Monde City Controversy, Environmental Law Enforcement, Sungai Seranggong Cleanup, Activists Demand Action
