Coordinating Minister Zulhas Affirms There Is A Criminal Threat If The Suwung TPA Remains Open

DENPASAR - Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan confirmed the words of Bali Governor Wayan Koster regarding criminal offenses if the Suwung Final Disposal Site (TPA) was not immediately closed.

"Yes, there is already a law, open dumping is no longer allowed," said Zulkifli in Denpasar, Bali, Friday, August 8.

Previously, Bali Governor Wayan Koster responded to residents' protests about restrictions on organic waste to the plan to close the Suwung TPA by leaking that the Bali Provincial Government was almost subject to criminal penalties by the Ministry of Environment because it was still running open dumping.

Zulhas, as the Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs is called, did not deny Governor Koster's words because there was no other reason for the plan to close the Suwung TPA, even for reasons of investment in the surrounding area.

According to him, this step was taken for the sake of environmental sustainability so that the people of Denpasar and Badung were affected to be patient.

Currently, the government is finalizing regulations regarding the use of technology to turn waste into electrical energy. After the rules are completed, the government can process the pile of garbage.

"Maybe in a few days we will finish (the rules), later we will go through a private to energy through an incinerator, I will finish the rules. Hopefully, when the rules are finished, all the mounting waste will be completed in two years at the latest," said Zulhas.

"There is no reason (for the sake of local investors), later when there is a private to energy through an incinerator, this is a complicated rule, adatipping fee, there are so many permits, I'm tidying it up again," continued Zulhas.

The Coordinating Minister for Food targets that the rules regarding waste processing using this technology will be completed next week, so that thousands of tons of waste in the Suwung TPA can be transformed into energy.

"If that's done, we will make 1.000 tonnes of waste up to energy through the incinerator, it's been two years. Presidential Decree is not yet, hopefully next week, then another one needs harmonization," he said.