TNI AD Takes Action to Address Waste and Water Crisis, West Java Prepares Steps to Deal with Drought

JAKARTA - The issue of waste and the threat of drought is no longer seen as a mere environmental problem. The Indonesian Army (AD) together with the West Java Provincial Government has begun to unite steps to deal with these two increasingly urgent issues.

The commitment emerged in the Coordination Meeting of the Indonesian Army and the West Java Provincial Government at the Army Headquarters, Jakarta, Thursday (4/6/2026).

The meeting was attended by the Chief of Staff of the Army (KSAD) General TNI Maruli Simanjuntak, West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi, Head of BMKG Teuku Faisal Fathani, the regents and mayors of West Java, as well as the ranks of the Military District Command (Kodim) Kodam III/Siliwangi.

During the forum, the KSAD emphasized that the waste problem has evolved into a national challenge that requires joint action, not just partial handling by the local government.

"The problem of waste is an issue that must be addressed together. The TNI AD is ready to support various efforts made by local governments through collaborative, innovative, and sustainable approaches," said Maruli.

One of the focuses discussed was the development of waste processing technology into fuel or waste-to-fuel. A number of landfills (TPA) that are the target of the program include the Bantar Gebang and Sumur Batu landfills in Bekasi, the Galuga landfill in Bogor, the Sarimukti landfill in West Bandung, the Jatibarang landfill in Semarang, and the Suwung landfill in Denpasar.

The program is expected not only to reduce the increasing waste pile, but also to generate economic value and support energy resilience.

Apart from garbage, the meeting also highlighted the threat of a long drought that is expected to hit a number of areas based on BMKG projections.

The TNI AD stated that it was ready to help provide clean water for the community and support various mitigation steps to reduce the impact of drought.

West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi welcomed the involvement of the Indonesian Army in handling environmental issues and basic community services.

According to Dedi, collaboration between the local government and the TNI is an important capital to present faster and more concrete solutions in the field.

The forum also became a space for regional heads to convey various problems they face, ranging from waste management to the availability of clean water during the dry season.

Input from the regions will be the basis for the preparation of further steps involving local governments, the Indonesian Army, and various other stakeholders.

Closing the meeting, the KSAD reiterated the commitment of the TNI AD to support programs that have a direct impact on the community. This support includes infrastructure development, provision of clean water, to the use of technology that can help improve the welfare of the people while maintaining environmental sustainability.