Suwung Landfill Case Escalates to Investigation Stage; Koster Admits to Being Questioned
Bali Governor Wayan Koster has confirmed that he has undergone a series of examination statements (BAP) in connection with the waste management case at the Suwung Final Processing Site (TPA) in Denpasar. The case has now entered the investigation stage.
Koster disclosed this whilst providing guidance on source-based waste management to district heads, village chiefs, and customary village leaders across Denpasar at Graha Sewaka Dharma on Monday (9 March 2026). According to Koster, several heads of relevant departments (kadis) were also questioned during the investigation stage.
“We are now at the investigation stage. The department heads have been called, provincial department heads as well, the head of the Suwung TPA unit has also been called. The city department head (Denpasar), and the Badung department head too. I have also undergone questioning,” said Koster.
Koster called on district heads through to village chiefs to take seriously the management of waste at source. In doing so, he stated, the volume of waste entering Suwung TPA could be reduced by the deadline of 31 March 2026.
The two-term Bali Governor wished to have waste shipments from Badung and Denpasar to Suwung TPA monitored, particularly organic waste. Koster hoped the investigation into the Suwung TPA waste management case would not result in the designation of a suspect against a regional head, namely the Mayor of Denpasar.
“Now the focus is so that the stages (of waste handling) are visible. If visible, then hopefully the Minister’s pressure will not be too strong regarding the investigation. We do not want this Mayor to become a suspect, isn’t that so?” said Koster.
According to Koster, waste problems are a shared responsibility and are not entirely borne by regional heads. He also requested that all village apparatus be prepared to assist the regional government in resolving waste problems in their respective areas.
“Now we have this momentum, there is no longer any choice. We must be able to do this,” said Koster.
“Reduce other matters for now, focus on this (source-based waste management),” he concluded.
Investigation Escalated
Previously, Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq disclosed that the handling of the Suwung TPA case in Denpasar, Bali, has entered the investigation stage. This process relates to waste management issues in Badung Regency.
“Suwung is actually currently truly entering investigation at quite a high stage. As a result, we will monitor it seriously. We are no longer giving administrative sanctions or forced government measures, but a criminal approach,” said Hanif at Jimbaran Beach on Thursday (5 March 2026).
Hanif stated that a Notice of Investigation Commencement (SPDP) has been sent to the Badung Regent. He also asked the public to follow the Badung Regent’s directives in efforts to manage waste, particularly regarding sorting at source.
“So unsorted waste must not enter Suwung, therefore all of us are obliged to try with all our strength to sort waste from the source. Without sorting, again, we will not permit it to enter Suwung,” said Hanif.
Hanif added that the current condition of Suwung TPA is extremely overcrowded and the level of contamination is quite severe. Therefore, he requested that the regional government immediately improve the wastewater treatment installation (IPAL).
Furthermore, Hanif emphasised that organic waste must no longer enter Suwung TPA from April 2026 onwards. According to him, organic waste can increase the burden of leachate water.