RDF Rorotan Still Smells Like Garbage, DPRD: The Planning Is Not Mature! 

JAKARTA - The protest of residents against the operation of the RDF Plant Rorotan is still rolling. The waste processing facility, which is touted to use modern technology, was demonstrated by residents because of the pungent smell that is still felt in the surrounding area. A number of residents even complained of health problems.

Member of Commission D of the DKI Jakarta DPRD, Ali Lubis, assessed that the problem showed the weakness of planning from the beginning of the construction of the Rorotan RDF. According to him, the amount of budget that was disbursed was not proportional to the problems that still emerged until now.

"If you ask me how I see it, I suspect from the beginning that the planning was not mature. Why? Try to imagine, the budget is around Rp. 1.3 trillion," Ali told reporters, Monday, February 2.

With the budget value, Ali questioned the effectiveness of the technology applied. He assessed that the smell problem that still occurred raised a big question in the public.

Ali also highlighted the aspect of environmental impact analysis (AMDAL) which should have been able to anticipate the impact of pollution since the planning stage. According to him, environmental issues should not arise when facilities are being tested.

"Not to mention the AMDAL. With a budget of Rp. 1.3 trillion, environmental impact issues should have been resolved since the beginning of planning," said Ali.

According to Ali, the fact that residents still smell the smell of garbage is strengthening the suspicion that the planning of the Rorotan RDF is not mature. The impact, he said, cannot be considered trivial because it touches the quality of life of the surrounding community.

"Residents are directly affected by the smell. From there I see that the planning is indeed immature," said Ali.

Ali added, the D Commission of the DKI Jakarta DPRD had previously made a working visit to the Rorotan RDF location when the project was still in the construction phase. However, after the facility was operational, there was no follow-up visit.

In the future, Commission D plans to propose a field visit to ensure the current condition at the Rorotan RDF, including ensuring whether the odor pollution is still occurring in the community.

"In Commission D there has also been discussion to visit there to check and ensure whether the smell is still happening," said Ali.

Meanwhile, the DKI Jakarta Environmental Service (DLH) claimed that waste processing at the Rorotan RDF was still carried out gradually with strict supervision, following residents' concerns regarding the potential for odors, pollution, and environmental impacts.

Head of the DKI Jakarta DLH Asep Kuswanto said that the RDF Plant Rorotan is currently operating five days a week with two shifts. Saturday and Sunday are used for cleaning and arranging the operational area.

"We understand the residents' concerns. Therefore, RDF Rorotan operations are not immediately carried out at a maximum capacity of 2,500 tons per day. We started at 200 tons per day, then increased to 400 tons, 600 tons, and gradually reached a capacity of 1,000 tons per day according to the Governor's instructions," said Asep.

He explained that the waste processed at the Rorotan RDF Plant came from six sub-districts in North Jakarta and five sub-districts in East Jakarta. The increase in capacity was carried out gradually to ensure that all emission and odor control systems run according to technical standards.

Apart from the processing process, DLH also highlights the aspect of waste transportation which has been frequently complained about by residents. According to Asep, the delivery of waste to the Rorotan RDF Plant is now only using closed compactor trucks from procurement in 2024 and 2025.

"No more open vehicles enter the RDF Plant Rorotan. This closed compactor truck is designed to prevent odors and water splashes along the transport route," said Asep.