Environment Ministry explores potential enforcement of waste management laws in several regions

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLH) is not ruling out the possibility of further law enforcement actions against other local governments after previously designating the former Head of the Jakarta Environment Agency (Kadis LH) as a suspect in relation to the Bantargebang Integrated Waste Processing Site (TPST). “Going forward, we will also delve into several regions regarding waste management. So now it’s not just at the landfill, but from the beginning. How individuals, business entities, or governments responsible for waste management are obliged to handle it from the start until it ends at the landfill,” said Deputy for Law Enforcement (Gakkum) of KLH/Environmental Control Agency (BPLH), Rizal Irawan, during a press conference at the KLH office in Jakarta on Tuesday. This also forms the background for the designation of the former Jakarta Kadis LH, initialled AK, as a suspect by Gakkum KLH/BPLH on Monday (20/4). AK was named a suspect for failing to manage waste according to standards, which could cause health disturbances, environmental pollution, and/or environmental damage resulting in injuries or deaths. “Will it target other officials in other regions or even regional heads? That possibility is not closed. The facts found based on evidence will later show who is responsible,” he stated. Previously, in February 2026, KLH investigated around 40 landfills that practised open dumping or openly piled up waste. Several cases already have suspects, including the TPST Bantargebang owned by Jakarta and the Suwung landfill in Bali.