Environmental Law Enforcement: Ministry Investigates Causes of Bantargebang Landfill Collapse Disaster
The Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLH) is ensuring continued investigation into the cause of a waste landslide at the Bantargebang Integrated Waste Processing Facility (TPST), which resulted in seven deaths, and is coordinating with the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government.
Rizal Irawan, Deputy Head of Legal Enforcement at KLH/Environmental Control Agency (BPLH), stated in response to a question from Jakarta on Wednesday that the Bantargebang TPST is among the final processing sites currently under investigation.
“Following the landslide incident on 8 March 2026, KLH through the Legal Enforcement office is currently gathering preliminary data and information to identify the cause of the incident, including coordinating with local government, the TPST operator, and other relevant parties,” said Rizal.
In environmental law enforcement, he continued, there are in principle stages of guidance, supervision, and administrative sanctions before criminal proceedings commence.
“In principle, legal enforcement is carried out when serious violations are found against the provisions of Law No. 18 of 2008 on Waste Management and Law No. 32 of 2009 on Environmental Protection and Management, for example waste management not in accordance with environmental standards that causes pollution or endangers safety,” explained Rizal.
Earlier, Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq, following the waste landslide incident on Sunday (8 March), announced plans to immediately summon the Bantargebang TPST operator.
He reminded that Law No. 32 of 2009 on Environmental Protection and Management provides for prison sentences and fines against operators of activities who knowingly commit acts that exceed environmental quality standards for environmental damage and as a result cause serious injury or death.
As a result of the waste landslide, seven people were confirmed dead with six successfully rescued after being buried by waste, according to data from the Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) DKI Jakarta as of Monday (9 March).