Illegal Waste Burning in Jakarta Faces Rp 500,000 Fine

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Jakarta Provincial Government (Pemprov) reminded residents not to burn waste indiscriminately. Violations can be fined Rp 500,000 under Regional Regulation (Perda) Number 4 of 2019 on Waste Management. Head of the Environmental Pollution and Damage Control Section of the Jakarta Environment Agency (DLH DKI Jakarta), Erni Pelita Fitratunnisa, said open burning of waste is one of the causes of air pollution in Jakarta, particularly when done openly and without control. ‘Waste is one of the sources of air pollution, especially if waste burning is done without control. The sanction is Rp 500,000,’ she said during the Clean Air Asia discussion on air pollution in Central Jakarta, on Wednesday, 4 March 2026. Open burning of waste can worsen air quality because it releases smoke and hazardous particles. ‘Waste is also a source of pollution, especially if waste burning is done without control,’ she added. Therefore, according to her, controlling air pollution is not only the responsibility of the government at central and regional levels, but also requires active participation from the community. Erni said law enforcement is still needed to provide deterrence by imposing a Rp 500,000 fine. Previously, the DLH DKI also planned to impose social sanctions on residents who burn waste, such as publicising the offender’s face on social media. However, to date, the DLH DKI Jakarta is still preparing a clear legal umbrella. ‘Punishing or imposing sanctions on the public by viralling it, this is social punishment; there must be a legal umbrella. This is also what we must prepare,’ Erni said.