PSI Urges Jakarta Provincial Government to Seriously Address Waste Problem, Emphasises Importance of Education and Recycling
A member of the Jakarta Regional Parliament (DPRD), Josephine Simanjuntak, has called on the Jakarta Provincial Government to increase public participation in addressing the city’s waste management crisis. This statement was made in response to the recent collapse of a waste mound at the Bantargebang Integrated Waste Management Facility (TPST) that claimed seven lives.
The incident demonstrates that Jakarta cannot continue to rely on open dumping to manage its waste.
Josephine, representing the Solidarity Indonesia Party (PSI) faction, emphasised the importance of educating the public on waste segregation and recycling. “The Jakarta Provincial Government must mobilise citizens to jointly address the waste issue we are facing now,” she stated in an official statement on Wednesday, 11 March.
“One approach is for the Provincial Government to intensify public education to raise awareness about how serious Jakarta’s waste problem is. Therefore, residents must also be encouraged to participate by sorting and recycling waste,” she continued.
Josephine also discussed micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in waste management that require mentoring and support from the Jakarta Provincial Government. “Currently, some of our residents are already creative in handling Jakarta’s waste issue. They not only collect waste but also recycle it into other useful products, creating economic benefits,” she added.
According to data from the National Waste Management Information System (SIPSN) of the Ministry of Environment, Jakarta generates approximately 8,000 tonnes of waste daily in 2025. However, whilst Jakarta has 2,867 waste bank facilities, it only has 421 composting facilities and 8 other creative product facilities.
“Entrepreneurs like these deserve support from the Provincial Government. Starting with mentoring for residents interested in launching their own businesses, to bureaucratic ease and other technical assistance once their operations are running,” she continued.
On this occasion, Josephine urged the Jakarta Provincial Government to develop and implement an effective waste management system together with the public. “The Provincial Government needs to show seriousness now. How much longer can we struggle with this problem?” she pressed.
“Furthermore, I hope the DPRD can establish a Special Committee on Environment that can impose sanctions on residents who do not participate in household waste segregation,” she added.
Beyond targeting residents, Josephine also stressed that public works officers, known as the orange squad, must properly execute their duties and set a good example for the community. “And sanitation workers from the municipal level to PPSU who fail to perform their duties well should be quickly evaluated and given firm action,” she concluded.