West Lombok waste processing machines lack operational permits
Two waste processing machines operated by Manajemen Sampah Zero (Masaro) in West Lombok, Nusa Tenggara Barat (NTB), have been revealed to lack eight operational permits since beginning operations two months ago.
This was disclosed by Fauzi, chair of Commission III of the West Lombok Regional Legislative Council (DPRD), after receiving notification from the Ministry of Environmental Affairs (KLH).
Fauzi stated that eight licensing documents are missing, including Technical Approval (Pertek), Environmental Management and Monitoring Permits (UKL-UPL) or Environmental Impact Analysis (Amdal), and Operational Fitness Certificates (SLO) for emissions.
“According to information from the Ministry of Environmental Affairs, these two machines do not have the required permits. Regarding the requirements that must be fulfilled, there are eight conditions that must be met before they can operate,” he said on Wednesday (11/3/2026).
Fauzi further stated that the Ministry of Environmental Affairs has issued two warning letters to the West Lombok District Government regarding the operation of the Masaro waste processing facility without proper permits.
“We have not even fulfilled one requirement, let alone eight. West Lombok has even received two warning letters, starting from 12 December 2025, most recently on 20 February 2026,” he added.
Fauzi found it highly ironic that the West Lombok District Government actively enforces regulations against private parties lacking permits, whilst government-owned facilities are operating outside legal boundaries.
“Fundamentally, our operation today is illegal. I can assure you that if we follow the ministry regulations today, this operation violates the law,” he stressed.
Beyond administrative issues, Fauzi also highlighted the damage to the Rp20 billion facility despite having operated for only two months. He even questioned the West Lombok District Government’s claim that the machines would process 20 tonnes of waste per day, as this does not match current reality.
“That is why we are shocked today, because this project was never discussed in the legislative body. We assumed it had been scientifically assessed through budget transfers in which we were not involved. We were optimistic, but today we see together what the reality is,” he said.
Fauzi stated that he would summon the relevant regional apparatus organisations (OPD) to seek clarification regarding several problems with the Masaro waste processing machines.
“We will schedule intensive sessions in the coming weeks to prevent undesirable situations in the future,” he asserted.
Meanwhile, a representative from the Ministry of Environmental Affairs, Doni Arif W, head of the Ministry’s Regional Control Centre for Bali-Nusa region II, explained that licensing for waste processing using incinerators falls under provincial jurisdiction, not district or municipal level.
“To our knowledge, environmental documents for these two facilities do not exist. If processing is done at the District/Municipal Environmental Agency, that is incorrect, as authority lies with the Province in accordance with Ministry Regulation Number 22 of 2021,” he explained when met at the West Lombok DPRD building on Wednesday (11/3/2026).
He also warned the West Lombok District Government that each waste processing equipment must have an Operational Fitness Certificate (SLO) for emissions before full use. Doni stressed that from a technical standpoint, waste incineration cannot be conducted haphazardly.
“Incinerators must have preconditions. Waste must be sorted and no wet waste should enter. Once temperatures exceed 800 degrees, black smoke will disappear,” he added.
Previously, two Masaro waste processing machines valued at Rp20 billion in Lingsar and Batu Layar sub-districts were damaged. The machines had only been operating for two months.
The head of West Lombok’s Environmental Affairs Office (DLH), M Busyairi, stated that the machines were damaged in the incinerator blower section, resulting in smoke from waste combustion not being expelled maximally through the chimney equipped with a smokeless system.
One cause of the blower damage is unsorted household waste being fed into the processing machines.