Bali Provincial Government to Accompany Former Environment Head Involved in Suwung Landfill Case

The Head of the Bali Provincial Secretariat’s Legal Bureau, Ngurah Satria Wardana, has assured that the government will accompany I Made Teja, the former Head of the Bali Environment Agency, who has become a suspect in the Suwung Landfill case.

“Mr Teja was carrying out tasks in accordance with the leadership’s instructions; the Governor has already stated that there will be accompaniment,” said Satria when met at the Bali DPRD Office on Monday (6/4/2026).

Satria explained that the accompaniment is being provided because Teja has been performing duties related to the Bali Provincial Government as the head of the agency.

“The pattern of accompaniment will depend on the leadership,” he clarified.

Satria also could not say much about the case yet, as the examination process as a suspect has not yet begun.

He stated that Teja is in good health. Currently, Satria is still preparing what is needed for the upcoming examination process.

“Not sure yet, perhaps 2-3 people (to accompany),” said Satria.

However, Satria emphasised that Teja’s designation as a suspect is not related to open dumping at the Suwung Landfill, but rather to lindih.

“It is still under investigation by the Ministry’s Gakkum investigators,” he asserted.

Previously, the chaotic management of the Sarbagita Suwung Landfill has had long-reaching consequences. I Made Teja, the former Head of the Bali Environment Agency for the 2019-2024 period, has been designated as a suspect.

The suspect designation was issued by the Deputy for Environmental Law Enforcement of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry/Environmental Control Agency. The designation letter was issued on 16 March 2026 with Letter Number S.Tap.02/I.4/PPNS/GKM/B/III/2026.

Teja was named a suspect due to alleged negligence in carrying out waste management activities without paying attention to norms, standards, procedures, or criteria, resulting in disturbances to public health, security, environmental pollution, and environmental damage.

“As stipulated in Article 41 of Law No. 18 of 2008 on Waste Management, or due to negligence resulting in exceedance of ambient air quality standards, water quality standards, sea quality standards, or criteria for environmental damage,” wrote the Ministry of Environment Investigator, Brigjen Frans Tjahyono, quoted from detikBali on Tuesday (17/3/2026).