Industry is the backbone of the Bekasi economy, but production activities also create environmental problems. Air quality data, oversight findings, and public complaints highlight the importance of corporate responsibility that goes beyond fulfilling administrative documents.
Bekasi, JurnalPost.com — For people living around Bekasi's industrial estates, the presence of factories is a part of daily life. Production activities take place not far from residential areas, while cargo vehicles move in and out of industrial zones almost all day long.
On one hand, industry creates jobs and drives the regional economy. On the other hand, these activities also raise concerns regarding air quality and their impact on public health.
Residents living near industrial estates are not always involved in corporate business decisions. They do not determine the production technology used, the emission control systems installed, or the environmental management policies implemented.
Nevertheless, the surrounding community is potentially the party that bears the impact when industrial activities are not managed with environmental sustainability in mind.
This issue shows that air pollution is not merely a technical problem, but also relates to business ethics and corporate social responsibility.
Regulations, reporting mechanisms, and oversight systems are actually in place. However, a number of findings throughout 2026 show that there are still issues with environmental compliance, limited oversight, and public complaints that have not been fully resolved.
Industrial Estates as the Driver of Bekasi's Economy
Cikarang, Bekasi Regency, is known as one of the largest industrial hubs in Indonesia and Southeast Asia.
In the data summarized in this study, industrial estates in the Cikarang area are said to cover approximately 9,496 hectares, with the activities of thousands of manufacturing companies.
Of the approximately 145 industrial estates in Indonesia, at least 11 are located in Bekasi Regency, including Jababeka, MM2100, and the Greenland International Industrial Center (GIIC).
The number of factories operating in the Bekasi Regency industrial estates is said to reach more than 7,500 units.
The scale of this industrial activity contributes to the regional economy. The manufacturing sector contributes approximately 78 percent to the Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) of Bekasi Regency.
Hundreds of thousands of workers also depend on production activities and various industrial support sectors for their income.
The types of businesses that have developed are quite diverse, ranging from automotive, electronics, chemicals, metal processing, and pharmaceuticals, to the production of consumer goods.
However, a number of industrial processes have the potential to produce particulate emissions, sulfur compounds, and volatile organic compounds if they are not equipped with adequate pollution control systems.
The magnitude of this economic contribution makes environmental impact management an important issue that cannot be separated from industrial activity.
Air Quality Improving, but Health Risks Remain
The 2025 IQAir report noted a decrease in the average annual concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in Indonesia.
The average PM2.5 concentration is said to have fallen by about 16 percent, from 35.5 to 30 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³).
This decline indicates a general improvement in air quality. However, the figure of 30 µg/m³ is still six times higher than the World Health Organization (WHO) annual average guideline of 5 µg/m³.
Indonesia also still faces major challenges in controlling air pollution compared to a number of other countries in Southeast Asia.
In the Cikarang industrial area, IQAir monitoring on the afternoon of June 4, 2026, showed the air quality index or Air Quality Index (AQI) was at 163.
This figure falls into the unhealthy category, with PM2.5 concentrations reaching 72.0 µg/m³. Historical data for the region also records that the air quality index has reached 240.
Although the results of instantaneous monitoring cannot be directly compared with the annual average, this condition provides an overview of the high concentration of pollutants in certain periods.
Concerns about air quality are also related to the risk of public health problems.
The Bekasi City Health Office recorded 253,337 cases of acute respiratory infections (ARI) throughout 2024.
However, this figure is data for cases in Bekasi City and cannot be directly used to conclude that all cases were caused by industrial emissions, particularly from the Cikarang area located in Bekasi Regency.
Research by Nafas, in collaboration with telemedicine service providers in Greater Jakarta, found that the number of asthma-related consultations can increase up to two-fold within 10–17 hours after PM2.5 concentrations reach the unhealthy category for sensitive groups.
Pulmonologist at Persahabatan Central General Hospital, Dr. Reni Sugiharto, explained that fine particles have the potential to cause disturbances in the respiratory system.
“Fine particles like PM2.5 can enter the lungs and trigger inflammation, or even worsen asthma,” she explained in a statement regarding the impact of air pollution.
However, determining the source of pollution is not always simple.
Bekasi Regency Government officials have previously stated that air quality measurement results in the GIIC area are still within normal limits. Motor vehicle activity is also suspected to be a major contributor to air pollution.
Data from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry cited in this study lists the contribution of motor vehicles at 44 percent and steam power plants (PLTU) at 34 percent in the context of the pollution sources studied.
Differences in measurement and assessment results show the importance of transparent, sustainable, and accountable monitoring.
Without open data, determining responsibility for pollution risks becoming a constant debate between companies, the government, and the public.
When Environmental Compliance is Questioned
The issue of environmental compliance has become a focus in the oversight of a number of industrial estates in Bekasi.
In April 2026, Commission XII of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) conducted a field inspection at the MM2100 Industrial Estate.
The estate is said to have about 300 tenant companies or tenants and about 700 chimneys.
In the findings summarized in this study, about 130 of the 190 tenants evaluated were said to still have a Red PROPER status.
If that figure refers to the same official evaluation results, the proportion reaches more than 68 percent.
PROPER is the Company Performance Rating Assessment Program in Environmental Management. A Red rating indicates that the company's environmental management has not met the applicable requirements.
Commission XII of the DPR RI also encouraged the integration of a continuous emission monitoring system or Continuous Emission Monitoring System (CEMS) with the Ministry of Environment's oversight system.
Through this system, emission data from specific sources can be monitored continuously.
However, as of the inspection period in April 2026, the integration of the system in question was reported to be not yet fully complete.
This condition shows the importance of strengthening oversight, not only regarding the completeness of environmental documents but also regarding the emission control practices that take place every day.
Residents' Complaints Near Factories
Another issue has emerged in the Kaliabang Tengah area, North Bekasi.
Throughout 2026, the activities of a cooking oil and margarine processing factory became a concern because its chimney was suspected of emitting thick black smoke almost every day.
The location of the factory, which is close to dense residential areas, has led to public complaints about black dust sticking to floors, house walls, and even skin.
The Bekasi City Environmental Agency confirmed that the company had received administrative sanctions before 2024.
The handling of the company's environmental issues is now under the authority of the West Java Provincial Government.
One of the issues mentioned in the report is the unavailability of an adequate emission filtration system.
Although it has become a concern, production activities are said to still be ongoing.
Attempts to confirm with the company's management in the referenced report have not received a response.
The Indonesian Forum for the Environment (WALHI) assesses that the handling of the issue shows an alleged neglect that needs to be investigated further.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Environment/Environmental Control Agency stated that it had taken action against nine industries in the Greater Jakarta area, including a metal smelting industry in Bekasi Regency.
These steps include the cessation of operations as well as law enforcement processes through administrative, civil, and criminal instruments according to the violations found.
This enforcement shows that legal mechanisms are available. However, their effectiveness remains dependent on the consistency of oversight and the implementation of sanctions.
Not All Factories Are in the Same Condition
Amid these various issues, not all industrial companies have the same activity characteristics or levels of pollution risk.
A staff member of a company renting land in the Lippo Cikarang area explained that their workplace conducts environmental testing every six months.
According to them, the test results conducted by the company have not shown parameters exceeding the threshold values.
“We don't have a chimney because there is no process that produces stationary emissions,” they said.
They explained that the potential pollutants related to the company's activities mainly come from operational trucks, company vehicles, and employee vehicles.
Therefore, environmental testing is carried out on ambient air, air quality in the work environment, and operational vehicle emissions.
Meanwhile, domestic liquid waste is handled through facilities managed by the industrial estate manager because the company does not have its own wastewater treatment plant.
The Lippo Cikarang industrial estate management also stated that air quality monitoring is carried out periodically every six months.
The monitoring results are reported through the Environmental Management Plan and Environmental Monitoring Plan (RKL-RPL) documents to the relevant environmental agencies.
Special attention is also given to tenant companies that use coal in their production activities.
At the company level, PT Aisan Nasmoco Industri carries out a number of environmental activities, such as vehicle emission testing, tree planting, and the release of more than 60 birds.
These activities have received appreciation from the Bekasi Regency Environmental Agency.
However, the implementation of environmental activities needs to be distinguished from a comprehensive evaluation of the industrial operational impact.
The study that forms the basis of this article has not obtained official documents that map the carrying capacity and environmental support capacity of the area as a whole.
In fact, this information is important to assess the environment's ability to accept the burden of continuously growing industrial activity.
Why Do Environmental Violations Keep Recurring?
From the perspective of business ethics, the issue of industrial pollution does not only concern technical negligence but also relates to how companies make decisions.
There are at least three issues that can explain why environmental violations have the potential to keep occurring.
First, compliance that is purely administrative.
Companies may already have environmental permit documents, conduct periodic testing, and submit reports to relevant agencies.
However, the existence of these documents does not always guarantee that all operational activities have met pollution control standards.
Compliance should be reflected in the actual implementation of environmental management, including the maintenance of emission control equipment and follow-up on oversight results.
Second, the disparity between compliance costs and the risk of violation.
Installing emission filtration technology, rejuvenating production machinery, and using cleaner energy require investment.
If a company estimates that the cost of violation is lower than the investment to meet environmental standards, there is a risk of business decisions that ignore the impact on the community.
In the study of business ethics, this condition can be linked to the issue of moral hazard and negative externalities.
The company gains economic benefits from production activities, while some of the social and environmental costs are borne by others.
Third, the weak consistency of rule enforcement.
Administrative sanctions that are not followed up effectively can reduce a company's incentive to improve environmental management.
WALHI also highlighted the possibility of issues in the relationship between regulators and companies in certain cases.
However, allegations of conflicts of interest cannot be stated as facts without adequate examination and evidence.
Therefore, the transparency of the oversight process and follow-up on violations are important parts of building public trust.
Environmental Justice and Corporate Responsibility
The impact of environmental pollution is not always felt evenly.
People living in dense settlements near industrial estates have a different potential for pollutant exposure compared to those living far from emission sources.
Low-income groups may also face limitations in reducing exposure, obtaining health services, or moving to a different place of residence.
This issue can be studied using the distributive justice approach of philosopher John Rawls.
In this framework, social and economic inequality needs to be assessed based on its impact on the most disadvantaged groups in society.
If the economic benefits of industrial activities are enjoyed by companies and certain stakeholders, while environmental impacts are mostly borne by the surrounding community, an issue arises regarding the fairness of the distribution of benefits and risks.
This concept is also related to stakeholder theory or stakeholder theory in business ethics.
The theory places corporate responsibility not only to shareholders but also to workers, consumers, the government, the surrounding community, and the environment.
Thus, a company's success is not sufficiently measured based on financial profit.
A company's ability to control the negative impacts of its business activities is also part of sustainable business responsibility.
Pollution Costs Not Recorded in Financial Reports
In business practice, the use of cheaper production technology can reduce a company's operational costs.
However, when this efficiency is achieved by ignoring pollution control, some of the costs do not actually disappear but are shifted to the public.
These costs can appear in the form of health expenditures, reduced productivity due to illness, and a decline in the quality of the residential environment.
Estimates by the Ministry of Environment in 2012, cited in this study, estimated that health losses due to PM10 pollution reached Rp373.1 trillion, or about 5.03 percent of the gross domestic product.
Meanwhile, a study by Greenpeace Asia and IQAir estimated that the economic losses due to air pollution in Greater Jakarta reached Rp20–30 trillion.
These figures come from different studies, periods, and scopes, so they cannot be directly added up or considered as losses entirely caused by industry in Bekasi.
Nevertheless, these estimates show that air pollution has economic consequences that need to be taken into account in development and industrial management policies.
In the framework of corporate social responsibility or Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), social activities should also not be used as a substitute for the obligation to control environmental impacts.
Tree planting activities, community assistance, and other social programs can provide benefits. However, these programs do not waive a company's obligation to meet emission and waste management standards.
When social activities are highlighted more than real efforts to reduce pollution, there is a risk of greenwashing, which is building an environmentally friendly image without a commensurate change in environmental performance.
In Indonesia, this responsibility relates to various legal provisions, including the Limited Liability Company Law, the Environmental Protection and Management Law, and the PROPER assessment mechanism.
Steps to Strengthen Oversight and Environmental Responsibility
The issue of air pollution in industrial estates requires the involvement of companies, estate managers, the government, and the public.
For companies, emission control must be a prioritized part of operational activities, not just an additional expense.
Companies need to ensure that emission control equipment is installed and maintained, carry out monitoring according to regulations, and provide public complaint channels that have clear follow-up mechanisms.
For industrial estate managers, environmental management standards need to be applied consistently to tenant companies.
Emission control provisions can be part of the estate usage agreement, accompanied by oversight mechanisms and consequences for violations.
Providing air quality monitoring equipment around the estate boundaries can also help improve the transparency of environmental information.
For the government, the main priority is to strengthen oversight, ensure that sanctions are implemented, and provide air quality data that can be accessed by the public.
The application of the polluter pays principle also needs to be carried out consistently in accordance with legal provisions.
This principle emphasizes that the party causing the pollution must be responsible for the costs of control and the restoration of its impacts.
For the public, systematic documentation of environmental complaints can help the oversight process.
Information such as the time smoke appears, environmental conditions, wind direction, visual documentation, and health complaints can be initial material to be submitted to the authorized agency.
The public also has an interest in obtaining environmental information that is relevant to their safety and quality of life.
Industrial Growth Must Align with Environmental Protection
The existence of industrial estates in Bekasi plays an important role in the regional and national economy.
Production activities create jobs, drive trade, and support various business sectors related to the industrial supply chain.
Therefore, environmental management cannot be viewed as an effort to hinder industrial growth.
On the contrary, pollution control is part of the effort to ensure that economic activities can take place sustainably without imposing an unfair burden on the surrounding community.
Improving air quality requires investment in technology, consistent oversight, data transparency, and a company's commitment to fulfilling its environmental responsibilities.
The decline in the national average PM2.5 concentration in 2025 provides an overview that air quality can improve. However, control efforts still need to be strengthened so that the results can be felt more evenly.
Ultimately, the success of industrial development should not be measured only by the number of factories, investment value, or the magnitude of the contribution to the economy.
Environmental quality and public health also need to be part of these success metrics.
Because the economic benefits obtained from industrial activities should not be paid for with the declining quality of the air that the public breathes every day.
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