Viral Video Shows Jakarta's Kali Gendong Choked with Rubbish, Environmental Agency Reveals Cleanup Hurdles

The DKI Jakarta Environmental Agency (DLH) has revealed a number of challenges faced by officers in handling the piles of rubbish filling Kali Gendong in the Muara Baru area, Penjaringan, North Jakarta, after the situation went viral on social media.

In an upload on the UPS Badan Air DLH DKI Jakarta Instagram account on Tuesday (23/6/2026), it was stated that officers continue to tackle the waste in Kali Gendong together with the North Jakarta Water Resources (SDA) Sub-agency and Penjaringan Sub-district PPSU.

‘Amidst the dense residential area of Kali Gendong Muara Baru, Penjaringan District, North Jakarta, UPS Badan Air officers from the DKI Jakarta Environmental Agency, together with the North Jakarta SDA Sub-agency and Penjaringan Sub-district PPSU, continue to follow up on handling the waste that is clogging the waterway,’ the account wrote.

DLH explained that the piles of rubbish covering the water surface disrupt the flow of Kali Gendong, requiring daily routine handling. However, waste that has been removed by officers often piles up again. ‘In fact, at some points, waste that has been removed today often returns the next day, carried by the current or disposed of carelessly,’ the statement read.

According to DLH, field officers also face various obstacles in the waste transportation process, ranging from narrow access, a considerable hauling distance, to the continuous volume of incoming waste. Despite this, officers continue to work every day to keep the waterway functioning and the surrounding environment clean.

DLH emphasised that maintaining the cleanliness of the waterway cannot rely solely on officers. Public participation is considered key to preventing the problem from recurring. ‘However, keeping the waterway clean cannot rely solely on officers. The participation of the entire community is needed to refrain from throwing rubbish into rivers, waterways, or drains,’ DLH wrote.

Previously, a video showing the condition of Kali Gendong filled with rubbish went viral on social media. In the video, piles of waste were visible around a bridge and on the water’s surface. Several residents were also seen throwing bags of rubbish into the waterway as they passed by.

DLH hopes the public will become more environmentally conscious by disposing of waste properly. According to them, preventing waste at its source will be more effective than relying solely on daily cleanups by officers. ‘Because a clean waterway is not just for today, but for the future of the environment and the next generation,’ DLH appealed.