Residents Still Practising Open Defecation in 60 Villages, Serang Regency to Build Toilets

The Serang Regency Government states that only 15 out of 29 sub-districts in Serang Regency are free from the practice of open defecation (BABS). The regency targets all areas to be BABS-free by 2029. The regency notes a decline in open defecation over the past two years. Serang Regent Ratu Rachmatuzakiyah stated that her administration will undertake various efforts to prevent residents from practising open defecation. “Today, I am here to open the coordination meeting on disease control and advocacy, and certainly the Healthy Regency/City Coordination Meeting for Serang Regency. There are still approximately 60 villages where residents practise open defecation. Personally and as the local government, we will continue to intervene,” said Zakiyah after the Regency/City Healthy Coordination Meeting (KKS) in Serang Regency on Tuesday (7/4/2026). Zakiyah mentioned that the 2026 budget is still small due to fiscal constraints. She plans to invite the private sector to channel corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds for toilet construction. “Thus, we will intervene to build bathing, washing, and toilet facilities (MCK) or latrines in residents’ homes that do not yet have toilets. This is one of our efforts so that residents no longer defecate openly,” she said. She targets Serang Regency to be free from open defecation before her term ends. She emphasised that all parties must collaborate to support the programme. “We must find ways to follow through on healthy living behaviours, especially for residents accustomed to doing so. I am confident that if we intensify efforts, residents will increasingly think more modern in the future because, over time, people will think more realistically,” she said.