Yesterday: Bantargebang waste landslide disaster and Mount Marapi eruption

Jakarta — Multiple news stories captured readers’ attention on Monday (9 March), ranging from Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq’s response to a deadly waste landslide at Bantargebang Integrated Waste Management Facility, to developments concerning the Free Nutritious Meal programme, an extended dry season forecast for West Nusa Tenggara, and Mount Marapi’s eruption.

Environment Minister: Bantargebang tragedy represents failure in waste management

Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq characterised Bantargebang as an iceberg phenomenon stemming from Jakarta’s failed waste management system, which now bears a critical burden of 80 million tonnes of waste accumulated over 37 years.

National Nutrition Agency: Free Nutritious Meal programme designed to meet only one-third of daily nutritional requirements

The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) clarified that the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme is designed solely to meet one-third of daily nutritional requirements and is not intended to provide full daily nutrition.

West Nusa Tenggara facing potential nine-month dry season

The Meteorological, Climatological and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) has forecast that the 2026 dry season in West Nusa Tenggara will extend longer than normal, lasting between eight to nine months.

Mount Marapi erupts Monday morning, ejecting ash 1.6 kilometres high

The Mount Marapi Volcano Observation Post reported an eruption at the volcano located in Agam Regency and Tanah Datar Regency, West Sumatra Province, on Monday morning at 08:46 WIB, with volcanic ash reaching 1.6 kilometres in height.