Pramono Claims Jakarta's Waste Has Been Managed, Yet Piles Remain at Kramat Jati Main Market

JAKARTA - Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung has claimed that all waste in various parts of Jakarta has been managed as of Tuesday (31/3/2026). However, a different situation is evident at the Temporary Waste Storage Site (TPS) in Kramat Jati Main Market, East Jakarta. Piles of rubbish in the area have been mounting for the past month, following restrictions on operations at the Bantargebang Integrated Waste Processing Site (TPST) in Bekasi City. One rubbish truck belonging to the Jakarta Environmental Agency (DLH) was seen transporting waste loaded into the truck bed using heavy machinery such as a shovel. Although transportation has been carried out, the rubbish piles remain quite high, reaching around six metres and dominated by vegetable and fruit waste. Additionally, a pungent odour is detectable around the TPS, which borders directly with traders’ stalls. One trader, Yanto (38), stated that rubbish collection is indeed carried out every day. However, the high volume of waste means the piles continue to mount. “It doesn’t decrease significantly, just look at that (the rubbish condition). But it is collected every day; last Friday there were many trucks (collecting rubbish),” said Yanto when met on Wednesday. “I want it to be sorted out quickly, not to drag on. The smell is really disturbing, especially during the daytime,” he added. Tutik (51), a resident shopping at Kramat Jati Main Market, echoed similar sentiments. She admitted to being disturbed by the pungent smell from the rubbish piles. “It smells really bad, it’s uncomfortable. But what can I do? I’m looking for supplies for my regular customers, so I have to come here,” she said. She added that the accumulation of rubbish at Kramat Jati Main Market is not the first time it has happened. Although it was once cleared, the rubbish piles up again. “Yes, in January it happened (the rubbish was collected), but as far as I remember it was already collected, but I don’t know why it’s like this again,” she explained.