Former Bali Environment Chief Named Suspect in Suwung Landfill Management Scandal

The management crisis at the Sarbagita Suwung Regional Final Waste Processing Site (TPA) has had far-reaching consequences. I Made Teja, former Head of the Bali Environmental Affairs Office for the period 2019–2024, has been named as a suspect.

The suspect designation was issued by the Deputy of Environmental Law Enforcement at the Ministry of Environment/Environmental Control Agency. The designation letter was issued on 16 March 2026, bearing reference number S.Tap.02/I.4/PPNS/GKM/B/III/2026.

Teja has been named a suspect due to alleged negligence in conducting waste management activities without regard for norms, standards, procedures, or criteria, resulting in public health hazards, security risks, environmental pollution, and environmental damage.

“As stipulated in Article 41 of Law No. 18 of 2008 concerning Waste Management, and/or due to negligence causing the breach of ambient air quality standards, water quality standards, marine quality standards, or criteria for environmental damage,” stated Investigator Brigadier General Frans Tjahyono of the Ministry of Environment, as quoted by detikBali on Tuesday (17 March 2026).

Frans further stated that Teja is also alleged to have violated Article 99 paragraph 1 of Law No. 32 of 2009 concerning Environmental Protection and Management, which allegedly occurred at the Sarbagita Suwung regional final waste processing site.

Ida Bagus Surja Manuaba, Head of the Public Relations and Protocol Bureau of the Bali Regional Secretariat, stated that he was still verifying details regarding the suspect designation letter. “I’m checking first,” Surja said when contacted.

Separately, Ngurah Satria Wardana, Head of the Legal Bureau of the Bali Regional Secretariat, stated he had only just heard the news. He said the office was still awaiting further instructions, including regarding legal representation.

“I only just learned this morning about the news of the suspect designation for the former Head of the Environmental Affairs Office. We are still consolidating information and awaiting further direction from leadership,” said Satria.

DetikBali has continued attempting to contact I Made Teja for confirmation. However, as of this report’s publication, Teja has not responded to messages and calls from detikBali.