Semarang City Government Stages Mass River Clean-Up at Kali Tawang
Semarang Mayor Agustina Wilujeng, together with various community groups and Semarang City Government officials, staged a river clean-up action at Kali Tawang Mas in Tawangmas Sub-district, West Semarang District, on Tuesday, 24 February 2026. The activity was part of a simultaneous clean-up drive across Central Java, coordinated directly by Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi.
Following the river clean-up, the event continued with tree planting and an online dialogue with the Central Java Governor. “Straight after sahur, we went out to clean the river,” said Mayor Agustina.
Speaking to the Governor, Agustina explained that Semarang is a downstream area for numerous river systems, including those connected to Demak Regency. Consequently, waste blockages are a significant flood risk factor that must be addressed seriously. “We [Semarang] are the estuary for all manner of water flows from upstream. So what matters most for us is that the rubbish must be removed from the rivers,” Agustina said.
She noted that a previous clean-up had been carried out at the Jaten River on Saturday, 21 February 2026, yielding 1.4 tonnes of waste and involving around 350 residents. Meanwhile, the Kali Tawang Mas action collected approximately 1.1 tonnes of waste along with two dump trucks of dredged material, with the participation of roughly 450 people.
Agustina acknowledged that the main challenge at present is the limited availability of heavy equipment relative to the length and number of rivers requiring cleaning. Nevertheless, she noted that community participation has been on an upward trend over time.
To strengthen the system, the Semarang City Government established Satgas Berlian (River and Environment Clean-Up Task Forces) in every sub-district since the end of 2025. These task forces are responsible for monitoring and addressing waste blockage points, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall. “As soon as a report comes in on the group chat, we address the location immediately. This makes our response much faster,” she explained.
This measure complements a community-based waste management strategy. Semarang currently has 1,074 waste bank units, with targets to increase this number further in 2026.
The movement also reinforces the spirit of Semarang Wegah Nyampah (Semarang Refuses to Litter), which promotes awareness that individuals bear responsibility for the waste they generate. Through behavioural change at the source, the Semarang City Government is working to ensure rivers return to their proper function as waterways rather than dumping grounds.
In addition to waste removal, the event included tree planting along riverbanks as a long-term measure to improve environmental quality and maintain the ecological balance of the area.
During the online session with the Central Java Governor, Agustina also reported that Semarang has been included in a National Strategic Project scheme for waste-to-energy processing. The administrative process is already under way, and the local government is awaiting further direction from the central government regarding the investors who will be involved.
Through this coordinated action, the Semarang City Government reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining optimal river function, reducing flood risk, and building a strong culture of environmental responsibility among the public. The movement will continue on a regular basis at various river locations across Semarang as part of efforts to keep the city safe, healthy, clean, and beautiful.