Environment Minister: Bekasi Raya Waste-to-Energy Project Groundbreaking Set for March 2026

Waste management is not solely the responsibility of local leaders but requires active participation from all societal elements, including the TNI-Polri and the regional coordination forum of local leaders (Forkopimda).

Bekasi Regency (ANTARA) - Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq announced that the planned development of a waste-to-energy facility for converting waste into electrical energy (PSEL) in the Bekasi Raya region is scheduled to commence in March 2026.

“We are welcoming the waste-to-energy project as requested by President Prabowo Subianto for Bekasi Raya, which covers Bekasi City and Bekasi Regency. The groundbreaking ceremony will be held in March as well,” he said in Cikarang on Monday.

He explained that the programme represents a direct directive from President Prabowo Subianto as a strategic measure to address waste management issues, particularly in the region that serves as Southeast Asia’s largest industrial zone.

According to him, the planning of the facility’s development this month for Bekasi Raya has already been coordinated with the Investment and Downstream Processing Minister and Head of BKPM, as well as Danantara’s leadership, Rosan Roeslani.

“During this transition period, we all still need to work hard to manage waste, including here. Waste management upstream must be the same as in other regencies and cities,” he said.

He emphasised that waste management is not solely a local leader’s responsibility but requires active participation from all societal elements, including the TNI-Polri and the regional coordination forum of local leaders (Forkopimda).

“Of course, the regent and his team must work hard, supported by our TNI-Polri colleagues, the military commander and police chief. Everyone must get involved; without all our participation, the regent cannot manage this alone. Then we need to continue socialising with the community and carry out awareness campaigns,” he said.

“The reality is that waste is not the regent’s responsibility. But it is each of ours; the public cannot simply expect to pay distribution fees and then dump waste carelessly. We urge the regent to enforce minor criminal penalties. If not, this will not be resolved. So the considerable waste problem in Bekasi requires all of our involvement,” he said.

Hanif also highlighted the condition of the Burangkeng final disposal site (TPA) in Bekasi Regency, which has exceeded capacity, necessitating emergency management and a comprehensive strategy from the local government.

“I am confident that the regent has a comprehensive strategy to address this. Hopefully, under the regent’s guidance today we can resolve the waste problem step by step. Of course, this requires support from Forkopimda members,” he said.