Megi Develops Si Keling Pusako to Address Community Environmental Health Problems
Megi Riomandala has reached the top three in the Health Technology Innovator category of the 2026 DPD RI Awards. He has developed Si Keling Pusako, an innovative programme addressing community environmental health problems.
The top three finalists for the 2026 DPD RI Awards were selected at the inaugural meeting of the panel of experts at Menara Bank Mega in South Jakarta on Monday (5 October 2026). Several panel members attended in person, while those unable to attend still provided their views and contributed to the discussions.
The 2026 DPD Awards panel of experts comprises Indonesian Culture Minister Prof (Hon) Dr H Fadli Zon, SS, M.Sc; National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) head Prof Dr Arif Satria, S.P., M.Si; Deputy Chair of House of Representatives Commission II Dr Dede Yusuf Macan Effendi, S.T., M.I.Pol; Regional Representative Council (DPD RI) member Dr Agustin Teras Narang, S.H.; and University of Indonesia Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences professor Prof Dr rer. nat. Agustino Zulys, S.Si., M.Sc.
The 2026 DPD RI Awards have four categories: Non-Formal Education/Out-of-School Education Innovator, Health Technology Innovator, Food-Self-Sufficient Village Champion and Regional Culture Preservationist.
Megi Riomandala’s profile
Megi Riomandala initiated Si Keling Pusako, or the Semelako Community Health Centre Environmental Health Information System, in Lebong Regency, Bengkulu. The programme digitises environmental health services provided by Semelako Community Health Centre.
The innovation grew out of Megi’s experience and concern over environmental health problems in the health centre’s catchment area. He conceived and began implementing the programme in 2022.
Megi’s innovation work began in 2016, when he joined the Nusantara Sehat programme in West Papua. Working with limited resources, he developed a range of initiatives, including handwashing facilities made from discarded materials, a health centre incinerator, coastal sanitation technology and community programmes to help residents build their own latrines.
After starting work at Semelako Community Health Centre in 2019, Megi developed PETISI, or Sanitation Mapping. The programme sought to address the needs of people living along the river who still practised open defecation in the waterway.
PETISI evolved into Si Keling Pusako in 2022. The digital system is used to collect data, map and monitor conditions, and provide environmental health services, and continues to be developed.
The Si Keling Pusako programme is reported to have had a tangible impact. According to Megi, the share of villages classified as open defecation free (ODF) rose from zero in 2019 to 100% in 2024.
A total of 1,942 homes have been recorded and mapped and have received environmental health services. In addition, 284 homes across five villages received assistance to build latrines from the Lebong Regency Public Works and Spatial Planning Office.
The innovation has helped Megi, who was born in Empat Lawang Regency, South Sumatra, win awards at regency, provincial and national levels. He has also been a presenter at the 2026 Leimena Conference.
For Megi, Si Keling Pusako demonstrates that limitations can be turned into innovation, and that innovation can bring real change to communities.