Cilegon. Chandra Asri Group has confirmed that there was no gas leakage in its plant located in Cilegon City in Banten. The issue was a malfunction in equipment related to cooling water with hydrocarbons, not a gas leak as previously thought.

"We can reaffirm that there was no gas leakage in our plant, but rather a disruption in the supporting equipment," the company's spokesperson Chrysanthi told B-Universe Media Holdings at the Chandra Asri factory area in Cilegon, Banten, on Wednesday.

The company performed a shutdown of the ethylene plant unit on Saturday and conducted flaring, which is the burning of hydrocarbon compounds that occur during abnormal conditions and unplanned shutdowns in the plant. 

Chrysanthi said this followed standard safety procedures for employees and the community. Chandra Asri also adheres to local regulations, ensuring the temporary plant closure maintains environmental safety.

"Based on the recommendation from the Mayor, we need to conduct an environmental investigation, and we must shut down the plant as a form of compliance with the local government and the regulations set," she said.

The Indonesian National Police's Forensic Laboratory Center (Puslabfor) team conducted an examination and checks at the site on Sunday (21/1/2024). The inspection results indicated that the air in the incident area was safe.

"Although the air has been declared safe, we are still awaiting guidance from local authorities," said Chrysanthi.