Pramono Undeterred by Jakarta's Waste Management Challenges

Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung Wibowo has asserted he will not retreat despite the numerous challenges in managing the capital’s waste. According to Pramono, many parties have profited from the current situation, but he remains determined to act decisively to address Jakarta’s waste problem. “Handling this waste issue cannot be done instantly. Many people have already benefited from it. Surely, many will later attack me as governor, but I will not back down from reforming waste management in Jakarta,” Pramono said at Jakarta City Hall on Wednesday (12/8). He admitted to having seen footage where journalists were obstructed from reporting at the illegal waste disposal site in Cilincing, North Jakarta. Pramono stressed that the Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) will provide assistance to journalists wishing to cover the location. “Coincidentally, I watched it on TV One in the field. So, if you want an escort, we will provide one,” Pramono stated. Previously, Pramono had ordered strict action against the perpetrators of the illegal dumping. He also requested that the identities of the parties involved be published to create a deterrent effect and ensure such practices cease. The instruction followed the discovery of a waste pile covering approximately 5.8 hectares in the Jalan Reformasi/Inspeksi Kirana area, Nagrak, operating outside the official waste management system of the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government. Pramono confirmed the site is not a disposal facility managed by the DKI Jakarta Environmental Agency. Based on reports received by the provincial government, the accumulated waste is suspected not to originate from households, but rather from commercial sector waste. The land used is also reportedly subject to an ownership dispute. Pramono revealed that the illegally dumped waste mostly comes from the hotel, restaurant, and café (horeka) sector. The waste is transported by private operators who charge customers for collection but then dispose of it carelessly in the Nagrak area. He did not deny that waste management requires time. In Kramat Jati, he added, 20 new trucks have been deployed to help reduce waste. The governor also noted that the waste sorting programme had reached 23.14 per cent as of August 2026, with private violators facing fines and business closures. The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government officially ended the open dumping system at the Bantargebang Integrated Waste Treatment Plant (TPST) starting 1 August 2026, transitioning to a controlled landfill system and strengthening Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (TPS 3R) facilities.