Illegal Dumpsite in East Jakarta Where Firefighter Died Was State Land Intended for Reservoir

The Jakarta Environmental Agency has revealed that the illegal dumpsite in Kampung Dukuh, Kramat Jati, East Jakarta, where a firefighter died, is state-owned land. The land was originally intended to be turned into a reservoir by the Water Resources Agency.

“So, it is actually state-owned land. The status is Social Agency land, and at that time it was going to be made into a retention basin or reservoir by the Water Resources Agency,” said Yogi Ikhwan, Public Relations of the Jakarta Environmental Agency, when contacted on Tuesday (4/8/2026).

However, during the excavation process, unidentified individuals claimed ownership of the land. They subsequently filled the excavated area with rubbish, turning it into an illegal dumpsite.

“After we carried out the excavation there, some individuals claimed the land was theirs, so the status became disputed. So, when the reservoir was being dug, it was halted by them, and they filled the excavation with debris and waste,” he said.

Yogi added that the illegal dumpsite has now been closed. “It has been closed, and we have put up banners prohibiting waste disposal there. If anyone disposes of waste there, they will be fined IDR 500,000 as stipulated in Regional Regulation 3,” he stated. The agency is currently working to clear the accumulated waste from the site.

The illegal dumpsite caught fire on Saturday (1/8) at around 07:02 WIB. A firefighter named Andriyono, who was the Head of the Cepu Group for the Cipayung Sector, died after complaining of feeling unwell while battling the blaze.