February 11, 2026 | 03:57 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Indonesia’s Ministry of Environment has taken firm action against two companies accused of operating without proper environmental permits and contributing to pollution in the Mahakam River, threatening the habitat of the endangered Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris).
Through its Deputy for Environmental Law Enforcement, the ministry imposed sanctions after monitoring found multiple violations.
One company, PT GBE, was discovered to have constructed a jetty without obtaining the required environmental approval. The firm, which is engaged in coal transportation and sales, has been ordered to completely halt its operations.
A second company, PT ML, was also sanctioned for failing to secure permits related to the use of river space for the placement and mooring of Coal Transhipment Barges (CTB).
Authorities found that the company lacked the necessary environmental documentation and approvals for its CTB I and CTB II units. The company, which conducts ship-to-ship coal transfer operations, has likewise been ordered to cease all activities.
Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq said the enforcement measures aim to safeguard the natural habitat of the Mahakam River dolphin, an endemic freshwater mammal found in East Kalimantan.
“We remain committed to monitoring and enforcing environmental law to ensure that all activities within the dolphin’s native river habitat comply with regulations, in order to protect environmental sustainability, including the Mahakam River dolphin,” Hanif said in a written statement on Wednesday, February 11, 2026.
He stressed that environmental law enforcement would be carried out fairly and consistently.
The ministry also called on local governments, academics, community groups, conservation organizations, and the public to continue protective efforts. These include public education initiatives, population monitoring, pollution reduction campaigns, and the promotion of wildlife-friendly fishing practices.
The Mahakam River dolphin is classified as endangered, with its population declining due to habitat degradation, river traffic, and pollution.
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