Four Dead at Bantargebang, DKI DPRD Member Kenneth Demands Comprehensive Jakarta Waste Management Audit
Jakarta Regional Representative Council member Hardiyanto Kenneth from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle faction expressed profound condolences regarding the landslide incident at the Bantargebang Integrated Waste Management Facility that resulted in four deaths and two survivors on Sunday, 8 March 2026.
He characterised the incident as a human tragedy that not only bereaved the victims’ families but also served as a serious warning about Jakarta’s increasingly concerning waste management conditions.
“I express my deepest condolences over the landslide that occurred at the Bantargebang facility,” Kenneth stated in his statement on Monday, 9 March 2026.
According to him, the Bantargebang facility has long handled the majority of Jakarta’s waste with extremely large volumes daily. This situation has caused the waste accumulation burden to increase continuously over time.
“Without serious management and more modern disposal systems, the risks of disasters such as landslides, fires, environmental contamination and safety threats to workers and surrounding communities will continue to occur,” he said.
Kenneth, commonly known as Bang Kent, requested that the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government conduct a comprehensive investigation into the causes of the landslide. He emphasised the importance of evaluating the security systems, waste stacking management, and safety standards for workers operating at the Bantargebang facility.
“I urge the provincial government to immediately conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the management and security systems at Bantargebang. Human safety must be the primary priority in managing a facility of this scale,” said Kenneth, a member of Commission C at the Jakarta Regional Representative Council.
Furthermore, Kenneth viewed this incident as an opportunity for major reforms to Jakarta’s waste management system. Currently, waste management remains heavily dependent on landfill methods that are increasingly becoming full.
“Jakarta urgently needs a transformation of its waste management system that is more modern, sustainable and technology-based,” said Kenneth, who also serves as chair of IKAL PPRA LXII at the State Defence Institute.
He outlined several strategic steps that require immediate implementation, including strengthening waste reduction programmes from the source through waste segregation at household level. Additionally, the government was urged to expand networks of waste banks at neighbourhood and village levels, and increase public education so that organic and inorganic waste can be separated from the outset.
“In this way, the volume of waste entering the Bantargebang facility can be significantly reduced,” he added.
Meanwhile, Kenneth also encouraged accelerated development of technology-based waste processing facilities such as waste-to-energy plants, refuse-derived fuel systems, and compost processing facilities for organic waste. He stressed that diversifying processing methods is crucial so that Bantargebang no longer becomes Jakarta’s sole final disposal destination.
“Management of the Bantargebang facility must be a priority. The waste stacking zoning system needs to be improved to prevent excessive piling that could cause landslides. Additionally, supporting infrastructure such as drainage systems, slope reinforcement and waste pile stability monitoring systems need to be updated with stricter safety standards,” said Kenneth, who also heads the Disaster Mitigation Agency of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle’s Jakarta regional board.
Kenneth also highlighted the importance of protecting workers and scavengers operating at Bantargebang. They are integral to the waste management ecosystem but often work in high-risk conditions. Therefore, the government was asked to ensure workplace safety protection, provision of personal protective equipment, and better supervision systems for workers in the area.
He affirmed that he would continue to oversee improvements in waste management to prevent similar incidents in the future. This tragedy is expected to become a turning point to accelerate reform of Jakarta’s waste management system to make it safer, more modern and sustainable.
“Once again, I express my deepest condolences to the families of the victims. May the deceased find peace, and may their families be granted strength and acceptance in facing this tragedy,” he concluded.
Previously, six victims of the waste landslide at the Bantargebang facility in Bekasi city were found on Sunday, 8 March 2026 evening, with victim data recorded until 20:15 Jakarta time.
The head of Jakarta’s Search and Rescue Office, Desiana Kartika Bahari, reported that of the six victims, two were found alive whilst four died.
“Two were found alive, four died,” said Desiana on Sunday, 8 March 2026.
Victim data until 20:15 Jakarta time:
Survivors:
Setiabudi (M)
Johan (M)
Deceased:
Enda Widayanti (25) (F)
Sumine (60) (F)
Dedi Sutrisno (M)
Irwan Suprihatin (M)