Halt Open Dumping in Bali, Expert: Don't Let Regulations Advance While Facilities Lag Behind
The halt to the open dumping waste system in Bali is seen as giving rise to various new issues within society. These range from policies that open and close final disposal sites (TPA), minimal socialisation, to the emergence of regulations imposing light criminal penalties (tipiring) on residents who burn waste, which instead causes confusion.
Gede Yoga Satrya Wibawa, a lecturer in Constitutional Law at the Institut Agama Hindu Negeri (IAHN) Mpu Kuturan Singaraja, assesses that the implementation of these regulations is proceeding faster than the readiness of society and supporting infrastructure on the ground.
“Don’t let the regulations advance while the facilities and societal readiness lag behind,” said Yoga to detikBali on Wednesday (13/5/2026).
Drawing from constitutional law, the policy to stop open dumping has a clear legal basis, both from waste management laws and national environmental policies.
However, the problem does not end with the presence or absence of regulations. The government is also deemed necessary to ensure that implementation on the ground runs smoothly, including providing clear information to the public regarding the waste disposal system, processing locations, and the policy transition period.
“The substance of the policy is already correct, but the effectiveness of legal certainty greatly depends on the readiness of implementation and the government’s communication to the public,” he added.
According to him, the state indeed has the authority to restrict activities that have a negative environmental impact, including prohibitions on arbitrary waste disposal and burning. However, what needs to be considered is the balance between facility readiness and fair access for the public.
Social Injustice in Access Among the Public
In addition to the problem of regulations being made too hastily, Yoga also sees social injustice in the implementation of this policy. Because large-scale businesses such as restaurants and hotels are deemed more prepared to manage their own waste. Meanwhile, small communities have limitations in facilities and costs.
Therefore, the government needs to provide support in the form of subsidies for processing facilities, strengthening village-based waste banks, and community assistance so that the waste management transition can run evenly.
Yoga assesses that while this regulation is being implemented, there are still many areas that are not ready to carry out the open dumping system. According to him, this not only relates to law but also involves infrastructure, budget, technology, and changes in public behaviour.
“What is being tested is not just an environmental matter, but also the way the state manages social change,” said the constitutional law lecturer.
“In the end, waste issues are not about who is at fault, but whether we are truly ready to build a new culture that is more responsible towards Bali in the future,” Yoga concluded.