Former Head of DKI Environment Agency Named Suspect for Mismanaging Bantargebang Waste Facility

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Ministry of Environment and Forestry/Environmental Control Agency (KLH/BPLH) has named Asep Kuswanto, the former Head of the DKI Jakarta Environment Agency (LH), as a suspect in the case of the management of the Bantargebang Integrated Waste Processing Site (TPST).

Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq stated that the designation was made because the waste management at TPST Bantargebang did not meet the applicable standards.

“This designation is part of the law enforcement process regarding allegations of waste management that does not meet norms, standards, procedures, and criteria, further aggravated by deaths and serious injuries,” Hanif said in a written statement on Monday (20/4/2026).

At that time, seven people died and six others were injured.

Before this case escalated to the investigation stage, the Ministry of Environment had already imposed administrative sanctions on the DKI Provincial Government regarding the management of the Bantargebang TPS in December 2024.

Supervision was also conducted twice in April and May 2025, but it did not show comprehensive fulfilment of obligations.

In addition, the environmental audit obligations requested by the government were not followed by significant improvements in waste management at the site.

Not only that, Hanif also mentioned that his side had carried out coaching and supervision efforts, but they were not complied with.

“We have provided opportunities for coaching, supervision, and administrative sanctions. However, if not complied with, then law enforcement steps must be taken,” Hanif said.

“Environmental law enforcement apparatus has named the suspect, the former Head of the DKI Jakarta Provincial Environment Agency with initials AK, in the case of the management of the Bantargebang Integrated Waste Processing Site (TPST),” he explained.

Meanwhile, Deputy for Environmental Law Enforcement at BPLH, Rizal Irawan, said that the case handling was carried out in stages, starting from supervision to legal action.

“If based on scientific evidence the violations continue to occur or there is no significant improvement, then criminal law enforcement must be carried out as a form of legal certainty and deterrent effect,” Rizal said.

DKI Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung reshuffled the ranks of high-ranking officials in the DKI Provincial Government (Pemprov) environment by inaugurating 11 echelon II officials at City Hall on Wednesday (15/4/2026).

One of the positions that underwent a change is the Head of the DKI Jakarta Environment Agency (LH), now held by Dudi Gardesi Asikin, replacing Asep Kuswanto.

Dudi previously served as Deputy Head of the DKI Jakarta Environment Agency.

Meanwhile, Asep Kuswanto was transferred to become Assistant Deputy Governor for spatial planning.