The Ministry of Environment and Environmental Control (KLH/BPLH) has formally announced that Asep Kuswanto, the former Head of the DKI Jakarta Environmental Agency, has been designated a suspect. This significant development stems from an ongoing investigation into the management practices at the Bantargebang Integrated Waste Treatment Plant (TPST).
The designation is directly linked to a devastating landslide that occurred at the Bantargebang TPST, an incident that tragically claimed the lives of seven individuals.
Hanif Faisol Nurofiq, the Minister of Environment, underscored the government’s unwavering commitment to environmental law enforcement. He asserted that this legal proceeding is a crucial step in holding accountable those whose waste management practices contravene established regulations, particularly when such negligence leads to loss of life.
Speaking on Monday, April 20, Minister Nurofiq articulated, “This law enforcement initiative is integral to the government’s pledge to ensure that all waste management operations are conducted responsibly and in strict adherence to statutory provisions. While we consistently offer guidance, supervision, and administrative sanctions, persistent non-compliance ultimately necessitates resolute legal action.”
The criminal investigation was initiated following the catastrophic landslide on Sunday, March 8th, at Landfill Zone 4 within the Bantargebang TPST. This tragic event not only caused seven fatalities but also left six other individuals with severe injuries.
Consequently, this devastating incident formed the bedrock of an extensive inquiry into suspected waste management practices that allegedly failed to conform to established norms, standards, procedures, and crucial environmental criteria.
Prior to this formal suspect designation, the KLH had proactively engaged in numerous efforts for guidance and stringent supervision. In a notable step, administrative sanctions, including government coercion, had been imposed on the Bantargebang TPST since December 2024. Further supervisory checks conducted in April and May 2025, however, indicated that the facility’s management had regrettably failed to meet its mandated obligations.
Adding to the concerns, an environmental audit had also been mandated, yet as the investigation unfolded, no substantial improvements in waste governance were observed at the location.
Rizal Irawan, Deputy for Environmental Law Enforcement at KLH/BPLH, elaborated on the phased approach to case handling. He stressed that the agency consistently prioritizes guidance and supervision as initial measures before resorting to criminal prosecution.
Rizal emphasized, “In every instance of case management, our primary focus is always on providing guidance and oversight. Nevertheless, when scientific evidence unequivocally demonstrates persistent violations or a lack of significant improvement, criminal law enforcement becomes an imperative to ensure legal certainty and establish a crucial deterrent effect.”
The meticulous investigation process was diligently conducted by Environmental Civil Servant Investigators (PPNS). This involved comprehensive examinations of numerous witnesses and expert testimonies, further bolstered by rigorous laboratory test results to solidify the scientific foundation of the evidence.
It is fervently hoped that the naming of a suspect will not only serve as a potent deterrent for waste managers nationwide but also catalyze a critical transformation. This moment is expected to spur comprehensive improvements within the national waste management system, ensuring it operates with greater responsibility and strictly adheres to robust environmental protection standards.