DKI Garbage Emergency, Zulhas Claims Frequent Calls from Prabowo
Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan (Zulhas) has admitted that he is often telephoned by President Prabowo Subianto to discuss the rubbish problem in Jakarta. This communication occurs almost every week, focusing particularly on the conditions at the Integrated Waste Processing Site (TPST) Bantar Gebang.
“DKI’s rubbish emergency has attracted attention from many parties and requires quick, coordinated, and integrated handling. Even Jakarta receives special treatment from the President. We were almost phoned every week about rubbish a few weeks ago, mainly about Bantar Gebang,” said Zulhas during a press conference at his office in Jakarta on Monday (4/5/2026).
He explained that Jakarta’s daily rubbish accumulation has reached 9,000 tonnes, with 87% still dependent on open dumping, such as at TPST Bantar Gebang, which is far beyond capacity.
“If measured, Bantar Gebang is like a building of how many floors? 16-17 floors,” he stated.
The government is preparing long-term solutions by converting rubbish into electricity through the acceleration of Waste-to-Energy Power Plant (PLTSa) construction. Zulhas assured that this policy is governed by Presidential Regulation (Perpres) No. 109 of 2025.
“Perpres 109 of 2025 is intended to accelerate the handling of urban rubbish emergencies with technology to process rubbish into electricity. We process our rubbish into electricity, with acceleration of the business entity selection process,” he clarified.
In its implementation, the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government has proposed two main locations for building waste-to-energy processing facilities (PSEL), namely in Bantar Gebang and Tanjung Priok Muara. This project is part of the national acceleration in technology-based waste management.
Zulhas mentioned that within six months since the Perpres was issued, project developments will progress significantly.
“Within six months since the Perpres was established, there are already three locations under construction. Including Bandung, then Bali, Bogor,” he said.
Not only that, the government is also expanding the scope of construction to various other regions.
“One using Perpres 35 in South Sumatra will be completed in October. There are 14 more locations that we have decided on, plus five locations that are not yet. This covers almost 71 districts/cities. Acceleration in six months. Previously 11 years for just one. Now we will complete 71 districts/cities consisting of approximately 22 agglomerations,” he continued.
On the same occasion, the government is also pushing for acceleration of the project in Jakarta through strategic cooperation. The signing of an agreement between the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government and Danantara was carried out as a concrete step to accelerate the construction of PSEL in DKI Jakarta.
“Today we will witness the signing of an agreement between the DKI Jakarta Province and Danantara for the acceleration of PSEL construction in DKI Jakarta, which shows the seriousness of the DKI Provincial Government and the Indonesian Government in national waste processing,” said Zulhas.
He emphasised that handling Jakarta’s rubbish, especially Bantar Gebang, is key to public perception of the success of national waste management.
“Once again, I thank the Governor, because Jakarta indeed receives special attention from the President. Because if Bantar Gebang in Jakarta is not resolved, even if the whole of Indonesia is resolved, people will say the rubbish is not sorted, Governor. But if Bantar Gebang is resolved, and the others are not yet, people will say the rubbish is already sorted,” he concluded.