Impact of Bantargebang Landslide: KLH Designates Former Jakarta Provincial Environmental Head as Suspect
The Ministry of Environment and Forestry/Environmental Control Agency (KLH/BPLH) has designated Asep Kuswanto, the former Head of the Jakarta Provincial Environmental Agency (Kadis LH), as a suspect in the landslide case at the Bantargebang Integrated Waste Management Site (TPST). Asep was recently appointed by Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung as Assistant Deputy Governor for Spatial Planning of the Jakarta Provincial Government on Wednesday (15/4/2026).
Minister of Environment/Head of BPLH, Hanif Faisol Nurofiq, emphasised that the government will not tolerate waste management practices that violate regulations. This step is taken to ensure that waste management is carried out responsibly and does not cause pollution or environmental damage that impacts public health. Moreover, the landslide at TPST Bantargebang on Sunday (8/3/2026) resulted in several fatalities.
“This law enforcement is part of the government’s commitment to ensure waste management is carried out responsibly and in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. We have provided guidance, supervision, and administrative sanctions. However, if not complied with, law enforcement measures must be taken,” he stated in his remarks on Monday (20/4/2026).
He explained that environmental law enforcement officials have designated the suspect, former Head of the Jakarta Provincial LH Agency with initials AK, in the Bantargebang TPST management case. This designation is part of the law enforcement process for alleged waste management that does not meet norms, standards, procedures, and criteria, aggravated by deaths and serious injuries.
He stressed that the landslide in landfill zone 4 of TPST Bantargebang is concrete evidence of management that does not meet requirements. The incident caused seven deaths and six injuries. The ongoing investigation has now advanced to the suspect designation stage for those responsible for the management.
Previously, KLH/BPLH had taken gradual guidance and supervision measures. TPST Bantargebang has been subject to administrative sanctions in the form of Government Coercion since December 2024. Supervision of the implementation of these sanctions was conducted twice, in April and May 2025, with results showing that the management had not fulfilled the stipulated obligations.
In addition, KLH/BPLH also required an environmental audit, but up to the investigation process, there has been no significant improvement in waste management governance at the site. Civil Servant Investigators (PPNS) of LH have conducted a series of examinations of witnesses and experts, strengthened by laboratory test results to ensure scientific proof and designate responsible parties.
Deputy for Environmental Law Enforcement of KLH/BPLH, Rizal Irawan, stated that every case handling is carried out gradually and professionally in accordance with applicable legal mechanisms. In every case handling, KLH always prioritises guidance and supervision first.
“However, if based on scientific evidence violations continue or there is no significant improvement, criminal law enforcement must be carried out as a form of legal certainty and deterrent effect,” Rizal said.
KLH/BPLH emphasises that this firm action is expected to provide a deterrent effect, increase compliance among all waste managers, and serve as a momentum for comprehensive improvement in waste management governance. This effort is also in line with accelerating the transformation of the national waste management system that is sustainable, from reduction, sorting, processing, to final processing in accordance with environmental protection standards.