Serang Mayor Studies Sanctions for Residents Dumping Rubbish in Rivers

Many residents of Serang City, Banten, are dumping rubbish into rivers, causing it to accumulate in the waterways. Serang Mayor Budi Rustandi said he is preparing sanctions for those who dump waste. “We are conducting a study regarding sanctions,” Budi told reporters on Thursday (11/6/2026). Budi stated that his administration has been educating and socialising the message not to throw rubbish in rivers, but these efforts have proven insufficient. “Education is indeed difficult,” he said. Previously, piles of rubbish have continued to pollute the Cibanten River in the Serang City area. Despite clean-up efforts, mounds of waste are still found at various points. At the location, rubbish has accumulated in the Kasemen area of Serang City. The various types of waste include plastic, styrofoam, wood, and even mattresses. Kasemen Sub-district Head Sugiri said the accumulated waste is household rubbish. The social conditions are influenced by the receding water level of the river. “The rubbish comes from residents who still throw it into the river, and waste on the riverbanks falls into the water. When the water recedes, it doesn’t get pushed downstream,” Sugiri said. Sugiri mentioned that a rubbish clean-up will be held on Saturday (13/6). He will involve residents in cleaning the Cibanten River to foster collective awareness of maintaining environmental cleanliness. “God willing, on Saturday, we will involve residents from the neighbourhood and community units, along with village heads and Cibanten River activist Kang Lulu,” he said.