Indonesia Enhances Environmental Law Enforcement and Waste Management

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia's Environment Ministry and Regional Representative Council (DPD) boost cooperation on urgent ecological challenges. At the meeting in Jakarta, the Ministry and DPD focused on waste, forest fires, and environmental enforcement.

In the Tuesday's meeting, the Environment Minister, Moh Jumhur Hidayat, highlighted loopholes allegedly exploited during forest-fire cases. He said local burning provisions could be misused by corporations to clear land.

“There is a clause allowing maximum two hectares for local traditions,” he said as quoted from the ministry's press release on Wednedsay, September 9, 2026. Jumhur further remarked that companies had also exploited that provision for cheaper land clearing.

The ministry has sealed several companies under strict liability following reported fires. He conveyed the environmental damage can establish liability without proving the specific cause.

National waste management was another major focus during the meeting. The government is preparing waste-to-electricity projects across 34 agglomeration regions.

The projects would cover approximately 60 to 65 districts and cities. The ministry is developing them through cooperation with Danantara and other initiatives.

Minstry of Environment is also preparing a National Ecological Repentance blueprint and stricter Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) rules. The proposed measures would increase corporate responsibility for product packaging waste.

Environmental enforcement has generated Rp1.7 trillion in non-tax state revenue. However, the ministry said enforcement would combine firmness with restorative solution-oriented approaches.

The government also emphasized benefit sharing in carbon trading activities. Carbon value should benefit local communities and indigenous peoples alongside climate mitigation efforts.

Regional Representative Council Committee II Chair Badikenita Br Sitepu, welcomed the ministry's environmental measures. She urged regional waste systems to move beyond conventional collection, transport, and disposal.

The ministry and the council also committed to strengthening institutional capacity and funding. Their planned support could bring the ministry's budget to Rp2.57 trillion next year.