Jakarta, INTI - Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan, also known as Zulhas, stated that the government is accelerating the handling of the national waste emergency by developing waste-to-energy (PSEL) projects in various regions.
According to Coordinating Minister Zulhas, this step is being taken to follow up on President Prabowo Subianto's directive to resolve the waste problem, which causes pollution and threatens public safety, immediately.
"President Prabowo said we can't become a developed nation if we can't even resolve waste, which causes soil, water, and air pollution, threatening public welfare and safety," Zulhas said during a press conference at the Coordinating Ministry for Food Affairs office in Jakarta on Monday, May 11.
25 Locations in 3 Years
The government is targeting to address 25 locations spanning 62 regencies/cities within the next three years, or by 2028. Zulhas stated that the administrative process and project preparation are targeted for completion within six months, while facility construction is expected to take approximately two years.
"So it will be half finished by 2027, and by May 2028, everything will be finished," he said.
Zulhas explained that the government's main focus currently is addressing locations that have entered the emergency category due to open dumping practices and large-scale waste accumulation. Of the total national waste problem, approximately 22.5% falls into the emergency category, with a volume exceeding 1,000 tons per day.
"What we are discussing today is locations with emergency category and an open dumping system. Waste that has piled up," said Zulhas.
Conclusion
Zulkifli Hasan stated that the government is accelerating the handling of the national waste emergency by developing waste-to-energy (PSEL) projects in various regions. The government is targeting the completion of 25 locations in 62 regencies/cities by 2028. The administrative process is expected to be completed within six months, while facility construction will take approximately two years. The current primary focus is on emergency locations with open dumping practices and large waste piles.
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