RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesian Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq said the garbage landslide at the Bantar Gebang Integrated Waste Disposal Site (TPST) in Bekasi, West Java, is a wake‑up call for the government. He stressed that Jakarta’s waste management system must be improved immediately to prevent further casualties.

“This incident should not have happened if management had been carried out according to regulations. The Bantar Gebang TPST should serve as a lesson for all of us to immediately improve, for the safety of human life and environmental sustainability,” Hanif said in a statement on Monday, March 9, 2026.

A landslide of approximately 50 meters of accumulated waste occurred in Zone IV of the landfill on Sunday, March 8, 2026, at around 2:30 p.m. The incident claimed four lives.

“The conditions at Bantar Gebang reflect fundamental problems in Jakarta’s waste management that have persisted for decades. The accumulated waste at the site is estimated to have reached around 80 million tons since it began operating approximately 37 years ago,” Hanif said.

He noted that the use of open dumping at Bekasi’s largest landfill is no longer in line with statutory provisions, including Law No. 18/2008 on Waste Management. He added that open dumping poses safety risks and contributes to environmental pollution. The Ministry of Environment and Forestry is conducting a thorough investigation to ensure waste management complies with regulations.

Enforcement may also refer to Law No. 32/2009 on Environmental Protection and Management, which stipulates criminal penalties for negligence resulting in loss of life. On March 2, 2026, the ministry, through the Deputy for Environmental Law Enforcement, issued a Notice of Commencement of Investigation (SPDP) to several high‑risk waste management sites, including Bantar Gebang.

The government is prioritizing the evacuation of victims and management of the landslide site. In the long term, it is encouraging stronger waste-sorting systems by optimizing the Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) facility in Rorotan.

A joint search and rescue team continues to search for five individuals believed to be buried under the landslide. The incident reportedly buried several garbage trucks and a local shop near the site.

“Based on preliminary data, 13 people were affected by the incident. So far, four people have been reported dead, four have survived, and five others are still missing,” said Desiana Kartika Bahari, Head of the Jakarta Search and Rescue Agency, on Monday, March 9, 2026.

The deceased are Enda Widayanti (25), Sumine (60), Dedi Sutrisno, and Irwan Supriatin. Survivors include Budiman, Johan, Safifudin, and Slamet.

“We are continuing our search efforts by clearing access to the landslide material. We are using heavy equipment and deploying a K9 unit to detect the victims,” Desiana said. (Misni Parjiati/Lasti Martina)