Prabowo Targets Resolution of Indonesia’s Waste Problem by 2028, Assigns Danantara

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia — President Prabowo Subianto is targeting a resolution to Indonesia’s waste problem by 2028. To achieve this, the Daya Anagata Nusantara Investment Management Agency (Danantara) has been tasked with tackling the issue, including by developing waste-processing technology.

Coordinating Economic Affairs Minister Airlangga Hartarto disclosed this at Kearney’s 100 Years of Impact event, themed “Jakarta Towards 500: Shaping the Next Global City Together”, in Jakarta on Wednesday (28 October 2026).

Airlangga said addressing waste was one of Jakarta’s outstanding challenges as it seeks to strengthen its position as a global city. The government has prepared measures to speed up efforts to tackle the problem.

“The President is committed to resolving the entire waste problem by 2028. Danantara has been given the task. The technology tender is under way,” Airlangga said.

He said the waste problem could not be solved simply by building processing facilities. The government must also ensure that infrastructure projects are implemented comprehensively, including by preparing the necessary technology and securing commitments from parties that will use the project’s output.

Airlangga cited water infrastructure in eastern Indonesia as an example. Projects that have already been built can still run into problems if their output is not used or there is no party to take up the services they provide.

“When we build infrastructure, it has to be complete,” he said.

Airlangga also highlighted flooding and access to clean water as challenges Jakarta must address if it is to develop into a centre for economic and service-sector activity.

The assignment given to Danantara is in line with plans to develop waste-to-energy projects, formally known in government regulations as Waste Processing into Electrical Energy (PSEL). The Indonesian government has designated three PSEL facilities as National Strategic Projects: those in Bekasi, Greater Bogor and Greater Denpasar. They are also part of the first wave of PSEL projects.

The National Strategic Project designation confirms that the development of waste-processing facilities that generate electricity is now part of the national priority agenda.