Lingering Odour at Heritage Flag Park, Wastewater Treatment Plant Awaited as Solution

An odour in the Taman Bendera Pusaka area, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, is still detectable even though the new green open space has begun to attract crowds from the public since it opened in April 2026.

Head of the DKI Jakarta Parks and City Forest Service, Fajar Sauri, stated that the situation occurred because the Wastewater Treatment Installation (IPAL) system in the park area is not yet fully operational.

“Indeed, the current condition still has an odour because the IPAL is not yet complete. But once the IPAL is finished, we hope it will be much better,” Fajar told Kompas.com on Friday (3/4/2026).

“For the time being, we are anticipating it with camphor to make it somewhat fragrant. That’s just a temporary measure,” Fajar added.

Fajar mentioned that the surge in visitors has even overwhelmed the parking area to accommodate vehicles, especially on weekends.

“We have reopened parking at the Red Pavilion site; we direct motorcycles to enter. Although the numbers do exceed capacity due to high visitor enthusiasm,” Fajar said.

According to Fajar, the conditions inside the park also show interesting dynamics.

Meanwhile, at night, the atmosphere becomes livelier with the presence of young people and families.

“Those bringing families enjoy the fountain show as well as the more vibrant park atmosphere until late at night,” Fajar said.

Taman Bendera Pusaka itself is the result of merging three parks in the Blok M area, namely Taman Leuser, Taman Langsat, and Taman Ayodya.

Throughout 2025, those three parks were closed to undergo revitalisation before finally being inaugurated as an integrated area.

The park was officially inaugurated on 15 March 2026 and began opening to the public in April 2026.

Since operating, the area has immediately become one of the new public spaces that is crowded with residents, especially on weekends.