AMDAL Challenges

Indonesia has fairly strong regulations regarding AMDAL, as regulated in Law Number 32 of 2009 concerning Environmental Protection and Management (UUPPLH) and regulation of the Minister of Environment and Forestry (PerMenLHK) No. 4 of 2021. However, its implementation in the field often does not run optimally. Lack of competent human resources, lack of transparency, as well as political and economic pressures often become obstacles. AMDAL aims to guarantee the quality of the environment. To avoid environmental impacts that are dangerous to society. However, in its implementation it is still often considered only as an administrative requirement to obtain a permit, not as an operational guide that is carried out consistently. Many companies, after obtaining AMDAL approval, do not really implement the proposed mitigation recommendations.

For example, the nickel mine on Wawonii Island, Southeast Sulawesi. After the mine began operating, people began to lose access to clean water sources due to environmental damage around the mining area. River and well water began to be contaminated, so many residents had to buy water from outside the island. In addition, soil pollution has had an impact on drastically reduced crop yields, and most fishermen report a decrease in fish catches due to sedimentation in the waters.

The construction of the Cirebon-2 Steam Power Plant (PLTU) is also one example of AMDAL implementation that needs to be questioned. The reason is that after the Cirebon-2 PLTU began operating, residents around the location reported various negative impacts on health and the environment. One of the main impacts is an increase in cases of Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) due to air pollution produced from burning coal. This pollution produces fine dust particles and toxic emissions that have a direct impact on air quality in the area. In addition, coal ash (fly ash and bottom ash) produced from PLTU activities pollutes surrounding agricultural and fishing land. The ash can reduce soil fertility, thus impacting people's crop yields. In the fisheries sector, water pollution from coal ash waste disrupts the aquatic ecosystem, causing a decline in fish populations which is the main source of livelihood for some residents.

According to Greenpeace Indonesia, burning coal in PLTUs like this has a direct impact on health through air pollution, with the risk of chronic diseases in adults and acute respiratory infections in children. A Harvard University study also estimates that premature deaths due to air pollution from PLTUs in Indonesia reach thousands of people every year. This criticism highlights the need for reform in the implementation of AMDAL, including stricter supervision and more substantial community involvement, so that development policies are truly in line with environmental protection and the welfare of local communities.