Hendropriyono Urges Citizens to Shift Waste Management Paradigm, Praises Ministry of Environment's Rapid Response
The former Head of the State Intelligence Agency (BIN), AM Hendropriyono, has called on all parties to change their perspective regarding waste management. He emphasised that waste must be managed properly rather than merely being cleaned up.
“Our paradigm as citizens must change. Waste is no longer just something to be cleaned, but something that must be managed. What is managed well can transform from a burden into a resource that is beneficial for both society and the environment,” Hendropriyono stated during a waste management socialisation event in South Jakarta, as reported on Sunday (2/8/2026).
He expressed his appreciation for the rapid response of the Ministry of Environment (KLH), noting that its personnel frequently engage directly in the field to address waste issues. Conversely, he criticised certain bureaucrats whom he deemed negligent in managing waste.
“We must appreciate the Ministry of Environment, as its ranks frequently go into the field, due to the sluggishness of some regional bureaucracies in implementing Government and Regional Government policies. This is despite the President having issued Presidential Regulation 12/2025 and the Governor of Jakarta having issued Instruction number 5/2026. Waste management is part of the National Medium-Term Development Plan. As a resident of South Jakarta, I am very proud of the performance of the North Jakarta Sub-district Head, who is responsive in assisting our community with technical matters, such as the implementation of waste sorting and so on,” Hendropriottono said.
He also praised officials who have taken direct action to tackle waste problems in East Jakarta, stating that both officials and citizens must work together to overcome the issue.
“The people of East Jakarta greatly appreciate their Sub-district Head, Monang Sinaga, who is always present to roll up his sleeves and work alongside the people, alongside the Cipayung District Head, Ceger Village Head, and local community leaders. For those bureaucrats who merely stand idly by and are lazy in executing the policies of the President of Indonesia and the instructions of the Governor of Jakarta, they should perhaps resign, rather than us suspecting them out of frustration because Bantargebang is closed, thereby eliminating illegal levies from that area,” Hendropriyono added.
Furthermore, he extended his gratitude to the Minister of Environment, Jumhur Hidayat, noting that the Minister had dispatched Deputy Minister of Environment Diaz Hendropriyono and other KLH officials to assist in waste management efforts.
“Thank you to the Minister of Environment for sending the Deputy Minister, Deputies, Directors, and Sub-directorate Heads to unite with the people in this total war against waste,” he concluded.