Environment Minister Ensures No Landfill Closures Across Indonesia
The Minister of Environment, Jumhur Hidayat, has ensured that there will be no closure of the Suwung landfill in Bali or any other landfills throughout Indonesia. According to the Minister, the government is halting the practice of open dumping (the disposal of waste without processing) rather than closing the landfill sites themselves.
“There are no landfill closures; across Indonesia, what is happening is the cessation of open dumping activities,” stated Jumhur during his visit to Tukad Bindu, Denpasar, on Tuesday (9/6/2026).
Jumhur emphasised that the practice of open dumping—where waste is merely collected, transported, and dumped—must be stopped as it is no longer relevant. He noted that waste must now be sorted starting from the household level. Landfills may remain operational, but only to accommodate residue.
“In fact, only 23-24 percent [of waste] should be processed there, and that is only residue. So, it is still permitted, but organic waste is not allowed,” explained the Minister, who attended state school in Denpasar.
Jumhur remarked that open dumping practices often cause foul odours because waste is not managed properly. “It has been like this for a long time, but there has been a misperception and misunderstanding regarding the closure of landfills. People thought they were closing, but they are not,” concluded the official, who was previously a prominent figure in Indonesia’s labour movement.
It is noted that the operations of the Suwung landfill have been restricted since 1 March 2026. This decision refers to the Decree of the Minister of Environment Number 921 of 2025 regarding administrative sanctions in the form of government compulsion imposed on the Bali Provincial Government to cease the open dumping system at the Suwung landfill.
Under this policy, the Suwung landfill will no longer function as a final disposal site for all waste, but will instead serve as a processing site for residue or the final disposal of non-biodegradable waste.