inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The Ministry of Environment (KLH) requires all hazardous and toxic materials (B3) storage permits to be accompanied by a B3 waste management permit following the exposure case in Cilegon.

Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq stated that B3 storage cannot be separated from waste management obligations because technically, it always produces hazardous residue.

"My conclusion is that a B3 storage permit must be accompanied by a B3 waste permit. Because, no matter what, there will always be residual waste," said the Minister of Environment on Wednesday (2/4/2026). 

He emphasized that B3 waste, even in small quantities, still poses a high risk to the environment and public health.

In the case of PT Vopak Terminal Merak, the KLH will review the environmental approval, including the technical details of the B3 storage activities that have been granted. 

The Ministry of Environment and Forestry also instructed local Environmental Agencies to incorporate environmental approvals for hazardous and toxic waste processing into a single permit. 

"B3 storage will inevitably produce hazardous and toxic waste. This must be a single permit," said the Minister of Environment.

He stated that this policy will be implemented nationally as a lesson learned from the Cilegon case. 

According to Hanif, strengthening the licensing process is a preventative measure to prevent similar incidents from recurring and to prevent environmental impacts from the outset.

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