Ahmad Luthfi and Taj Yasin Launch Central Java ASRI Movement
Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi and Deputy Governor Taj Yasin launched the Jawa Tengah ASRI (Aman, Sehat, Resik & Indah — Safe, Healthy, Clean & Beautiful) movement at Pantai Jodo, Sidorejo Village, Gringsing District, Batang Regency, on Tuesday, 24 February 2026. The mass clean-up, involving more than 1,000 participants, coincided with the observance of National Waste Awareness Day. The activity was simultaneously carried out across all 35 districts and cities in Central Java.
During the clean-up, Luthfi was seen operating a loader to scoop piles of rubbish onto a dump truck. Accompanied by Taj Yasin, he deftly manoeuvred the bucket of the heavy machinery, scooping up a mixture of plastic waste, wood, and household refuse that had accumulated along the coastline. The bucket was raised full several times before being emptied into a truck stationed at the shore. The action immediately drew the attention of participants taking part in the simultaneous clean-up.
Luthfi said the waste problem in Central Java had reached emergency levels, necessitating concrete action. “Waste in Central Java amounts to nearly 6.36 million tonnes per year. Only around 60 per cent can be processed, with the remainder yet to be optimally managed. This must be a serious concern for all of us,” he said.
The President, Luthfi continued, has set a target for Indonesia to achieve zero waste by 2029. Accordingly, the Jateng ASRI Movement must become a tangible initiative. He requested all regents and mayors immediately submit concrete data on waste management in their respective areas. “Tomorrow I will bring this to a meeting at the national level,” he said.
Luthfi also highlighted the importance of maintaining Central Java’s coastline, which stretches approximately 920 kilometres. At the same event, he called for coastal reforestation programmes, including the Gerakan Mageri Segoro initiative, across the 17 districts and cities with coastlines.
Mangrove and coastal plant cultivation was deemed a preventive measure against abrasion and environmental disasters. In December 2025, planting had reached nearly two million seedlings, and it is hoped this figure will continue to increase this year.
The Head of Central Java’s Environment and Forestry Agency, Widi Hartanto, said the clean-up was a follow-up to the Governor’s Circular on the Jawa Tengah ASRI Movement. “The waste clean-up and tree planting were carried out simultaneously across 35 districts and cities at the same time, with the majority of regents and mayors personally leading the activities in their respective areas,” he said.
Currently, refuse-derived fuel (RDF) based waste processing is operational in Cilacap, Banyumas, and Magelang regencies, whilst a waste-to-energy plant is operating in the city of Surakarta. “The Central Java Provincial Government is also initiating inter-regional collaboration to transform landfills into Integrated Waste Processing Facilities, including cooperation on the provision and utilisation of RDF with the cement industry in a number of districts and cities,” Widi said.
Through the Jateng ASRI Movement, the Central Java Provincial Government is driving accelerated transformation of waste management whilst building active community participation in maintaining environmental cleanliness.
The event was attended by the Deputy Governor, the Provincial Secretary of Central Java, members of the Central Java Regional Leadership Communication Forum (Forkopimda), as well as the Regent of Batang and the Batang Regency Forkopimda. Regional heads from all 35 districts and cities participated online.
In addition to using heavy machinery to clear large volumes of waste, participants also combed the shoreline manually, picking up and sorting rubbish before placing it into sacks for removal.
Participants came from various groups, including the military, police, universities, businesses, community and religious organisations, volunteers, students, and the general public.