Legislators: Jakarta's Waste Issues Must Be Addressed from Upstream to Downstream

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Jakarta Regional Legislative Council (DPRD) member Judistira Hermawan stated that waste issues in Jakarta must be addressed from upstream to downstream, as daily waste production has reached a significant 9,000 tonnes.

“Waste management is not enough by simply stopping disposal at one location; it must be accompanied by waste reduction from the source through to the provision of downstream processing facilities,” Judistira said in Jakarta on Tuesday.

The Chairman of the Jakarta DPRD Waste Management Special Committee noted that the committee is considering the possibility of managing some of Jakarta’s waste in areas surrounding the capital or even outside Jakarta, provided that the management complies with applicable regulations.

“Given the emergency situation in Jakarta, I believe we must open those options. There are facilities in Tangerang, in Bekasi, and so on,” he said.

According to him, Governor’s Instruction Number 5 of 2026 could serve as a foundation to encourage the public to reduce waste within their environments.

Furthermore, regarding the management of the massive waste piles in Nagrak, Cilincing, North Jakarta, the issue cannot be separated from the local community members who have long relied on the area for their livelihoods.

Judistira understands that tensions have arisen with the community members active in the area, noting that such resistance is partly triggered by the lack of certainty regarding a solution for them.

He stated that the Special Committee aims to resolve the Nagrak issue comprehensively. While the enforcement against illegal waste dumping must continue, solutions must also be prepared for the community members whose livelihoods depend on waste sorting activities.

“I believe they are being fierce because there is no solution. Hopefully, we will arrive with a solution,” he said.