Residents Complain About Rubbish Piles in Pejagalan, Former Green Space Turns into Illegal Dump

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Residents are complaining about piles of rubbish on Jalan Kepanduan 2, Pejagalan, Penjaringan, North Jakarta, due to the pungent smell it generates and the disruption to daily activities.

Residents state that the location was previously a green open space that has now become a rubbish dumping site.

Mawar (not her real name), a local resident, said the area was once a green space filled with trees and used by residents as an open area.

According to her, the change became evident at the beginning of 2025 when the land was enclosed with semi-permanent buildings and filled in.

Since then, the area has turned into a rubbish accumulation site that remains in active use to this day.

“Yes, it happened suddenly like that. Initially, it was covered with corrugated iron, like shacks,” she said.

She revealed that nearby residents are also complaining about the unpleasant smell that disturbs comfort and residents’ activities.

“The complaint is the smell, it’s uncomfortable. What was once for residents’ activities, like exercising, has become unhealthy,” she explained.

Another resident, Jayadi (not his real name), said the rubbish piles at the location have now become mountainous.

“It’s really bad now, the rubbish piles have increased a lot,” he told Kompas.com on Wednesday.

“If the wind blows towards the settlements here, the rubbish smell is very pungent and there are more flies,” he said.

Jayadi mentioned that residents have reported the condition via the JAKI app, but activities at the location continue.

“It has been reported through JAKI before, but it’s still active and ongoing until now,” he added.