Former Bali DLH Head Named Suspect; Assistance Awaits Governor's Directive

The Bali Provincial Government (Pemprov Bali) has assured that it will provide assistance to I Made Teja, the former Head of the Environment Office (DLH) of Bali, who has been named a suspect in the Suwung Landfill (TPA) case.

Head of the Bali Provincial Secretariat’s Legal Bureau, Ngurah Satria Wardana, stated that the assistance is being provided because Teja was carrying out duties as an official within the Pemprov Bali.

“Mr Teja was carrying out tasks in accordance with the leadership’s directives; the Governor has already said there will be assistance,” Satria said when met at the Bali DPRD Office on Monday (6/4/2026).

Satria explained that the form of assistance to be given is still awaiting instructions from the leadership.

“The pattern of assistance will depend on the leadership,” he clarified.

He also could not say much about the case as the examination process of Teja as a suspect has not yet begun.

Satria noted that Teja is in good health. Currently, his side is still preparing for the needs in the examination process.

“Not sure yet, perhaps 2-3 people (to accompany),” Satria stated.

Satria added that Teja’s designation as a suspect is not related to open dumping issues at the Suwung TPA, but rather to negligence.

“It is still under investigation by the Ministry’s Gakkum unit,” he emphasised.

Previously, the controversy over the management of the Sarbagita Suwung TPA has had long-reaching consequences. I Made Teja, the former Head of DLH Bali for the 2019-2024 period, has been named a suspect.

The suspect designation was made by the Deputy for Environmental Law Enforcement of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry through a letter dated 16 March 2026 with Number S.Tap.02/I.4/PPNS/GKM/B/III/2026.

Teja was named a suspect for allegedly being negligent in waste management activities by not paying attention to norms, standards, procedures, or criteria that resulted in disturbances to public health, safety, environmental pollution, and environmental damage.

“As stipulated in Article 41 of Law No. 18 of 2008 on Waste Management, or due to his negligence causing exceedance of ambient air quality standards, water quality standards, sea quality standards, or criteria for environmental damage,” wrote the Ministry’s investigator, Brigjen Frans Tjahyono, as quoted by detikBali on Tuesday (17/3/2026).