Indonesia Targets 24 Major Cities for Waste Management Solutions by 2028

Indonesia's government is targeting the resolution of waste management problems in 24 major cities by 2028, with an interim goal of completing half the task by 2027. Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs, Zulkifli Hasan, announced the phased approach, prioritizing cities such as Jakarta, Surabaya, Bandung, and Tangerang, while Palembang and Medan are slated for earlier completion in 2027.

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The ones we will solve are 24 cities out of a total of 40 priority cities.

The initiative addresses the significant environmental impact of waste, including pollution of rivers and coastal areas. Hasan stressed that proper waste management is a critical indicator of a nation's progress, stating, "If we cannot manage waste and the environment, how can Indonesia become a developed country?"

To accelerate efforts, the President has issued a decree placing the coordination of waste and environmental management under Hasan's purview. This move acknowledges the close link between environmental health and food security. The government is also revising regulations to support these efforts, aiming to clear "mountainous waste" accumulations.

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If we cannot manage waste and the environment, how can Indonesia become a developed country?

Hasan expressed confidence in the plan, requesting two years for implementation and welcoming criticism if targets are missed. The focus is on processing sites with over 1,000 tons of daily waste, including problematic areas like Bantargebang and locations in Bali.

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If it's not finished in two years, please call me again and I am ready to accept criticism. But give us two years.