North Jakarta Urges Residents to Tackle Waste Problem

Jakarta (ANTARA) — The North Jakarta City Administration is urging local residents to play a collective role in maintaining cleanliness and tackling the waste problem.

“Waste management in this area is a serious concern for the government and must be handled collectively,” said North Jakarta City Secretary Iyan Sopian Hadi in Jakarta on Sunday.

Waste management, he said, requires cross-agency coordination, including the military and police, because waste collection access is quite difficult and must go through specific routes.

Iyan cited the example of the “Bersih Jaga Jakarta” (Clean and Protect Jakarta) initiative, which mobilized around 700 joint personnel from various agencies to clean up waste along the coast in the KBN Marunda area.

The cleanup focused on piles of sea-borne waste that had washed up along approximately two kilometers of coastline in the KBN Marunda area.

“We have carried out activities at a location that has long been a shared concern, and I urge that this work be done seriously so that the results truly benefit us all,” he said.

Cilincing District Head Depika Romadi said the waste accumulating along the coast comes from the sea due to high tides or tidal flooding that carries debris onto land.

“When the tide recedes, the waste is left behind and continues to pile up if not cleaned,” he said.

Workers had collected approximately 1,500 sacks of waste and prepared nearly 2,500 sacks for collection that day.

However, due to coastal conditions and limited access, most of the cleanup was carried out manually. When the tide is high, the Waterway Management Unit (UPK Badan Air) will assist using heavy equipment from the sea.

The cleanup will be conducted regularly until the beach is restored to a clean condition. “Going forward, this activity will continue to be carried out routinely and in stages until the waste on this beach is cleaned up to the fullest extent possible,” he said.

He also urged the public to be more mindful of waste and to protect the environment. Every person is responsible for the waste they produce to prevent environmental pollution and harm to others.

Through the “Bersih Jaga Jakarta” initiative, the North Jakarta City Administration reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining the cleanliness of coastal areas and strengthening cross-agency collaboration to create a clean, healthy, and comfortable environment for the community.