Environment Minister Summons Rest Area Operators Failing to Improve Waste Management

Jakarta — Indonesia’s Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq announced that in April he would begin summoning rest area operators along the northern coast toll route of Java who have failed to improve waste management at their facilities.

During an inspection of Rest Area 287 A in Central Java on Saturday, Minister Hanif stated that in accordance with the government’s enforcement mandate, all rest area operators along the northern coast route had been given three months to improve their waste management systems.

“One month has now passed, and in fulfilling the honourable President’s mandate to ensure public comfort, we are conducting inspections,” said Hanif.

He noted that whilst the improvement deadline under the government’s administrative enforcement sanctions would expire in May, the ministry would begin summoning operators in April.

“In early April we will begin calling in operators to explain the delays in responding to the government’s enforcement letter requiring them to develop facilities and improve waste management at their respective rest areas. This applies not only to rest area operators,” he added.

If operators fail to implement the improvements demanded by the government, there is potential for escalated sanctions ranging from suspension of environmental permits to revocation.

“There are also potential criminal sanctions of up to one year’s imprisonment for failure to comply with the government’s enforcement order,” Hanif stated.

The minister had previously inspected rest areas along the northern coast toll route from Jakarta to Surabaya to ensure that waste management in the region was functioning properly, particularly to anticipate the increased waste generation expected during the Lebaran holiday exodus period.