Tangerang, Banten. Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq has called on the provincial governments of Jakarta and West Java to immediately secure land for waste-to-energy facilities as the region struggles to manage its urban waste problem.

According to Hanif, Jakarta generates around 8,000 tons of garbage daily, while the greater Bandung area produces approximately 5,000 tons per day. “It is impossible to manage this volume without waste-to-energy solutions,” he said on Tuesday.

Hanif said the Ministry has deployed a special team to re-verify proposed project sites in Jakarta and Bandung Raya and has formally requested local governments to prepare suitable land. The move aligns with Presidential Regulation No. 109 of 2025 on urban waste management through renewable energy.

The minister also revealed alarming environmental consequences, saying that the Citarum River is contaminated with roughly 4,000 tons of waste daily. The majority of this pollution originates from Sarimukti Regional Landfill in West Bandung, where only about 1,000 tons of garbage are effectively processed each day.

“We are taking steps for both guidance and enforcement where necessary,” Hanif said.

The Ministry's Directorate General of Environmental Law Enforcement is investigating all mayors and regents in Bandung Raya for their role in the pollution. He confirmed that Bandung Mayor Farhan had already been questioned, and that summonses are being prepared for other local officials.

The minister stressed that legal and regulatory measures are crucial not only for environmental protection but also for public welfare. “This involves direct service to communities. We will not take this lightly,” he said, adding that Ministry will also summon the five Jakarta mayors this week to provide detailed explanations of the city’s persistent waste management issues.

Hanif urged local governments to take proactive steps, stressing that waste-to-energy projects offer a practical, high-impact solution to urban waste challenges. “I strongly hope that West Java and Bandung Raya governments take immediate initiatives. The stakes are high for many people,” he said.