West Java Stops TPA Sarimukti West Bandung Fire Emergency Status

Acting Governor of West Java Bey Winhi Machmudin gave a statement on the sidelines of lunch with reporters at Gedung Sate, Bandung, Monday (25/9/2023). (ANTARA/HO West Java Provincial Government)

BANDUNG - The West Java Provincial Government has stopped or did not extend the emergency status of handling the Sarimukti TPA fire as the fire was successfully extinguished by the facility fire located in West Bandung Regency.

Acting (Pj) Governor of West Java BeyXyhi Machmudin said that with the improving situation of the Sarimukti fire, the emergency status for handling the Sarimukti TPA fire ended on September 25, 2023.

"Alhamdulillah, it has been successfully extinguished. Therefore, the emergency status ending today has not been extended," said Bey as quoted by ANTARA, Monday, September 25.

Even though the Sarimukti TPA fire has been repaired, Bey emphasized that the Regency/City Government in Greater Bandung must remain committed to reducing the volume of waste dumped into the TPA.

"If the method remains the same as this, yes, this will continue to repeat itself. We don't want to be like that. There must be a change in pattern," he said.

After the emergency status of handling the Sarimukti TPA fire ended, the handling is now being diverted for the transition period of the Sarimukti TPA to the West Java Environmental Service (DLH) regulated by the Governor's Decree (Kepgub).

The determination of the status of the emergency transition period by the Acting Governor starting September 25, 2023, involves Kodam III/Siliwangi, Regency/City Fire Department, Regional Government officials for West Java Province and Regency/City Government, and ITB.

Currently, it is reported that Sarimukti TPA can still receive 2,626 ritase of waste in the super-emergency zone with one ritase of about three to four tons.

Bey appreciated the people and local governments in Greater Bandung, who during the waste emergency period made various efforts to process waste so that the burden of the Sarimukti TPA could be reduced.

"I express my appreciation and gratitude to the residents, especially in Greater Bandung for the understanding during the waste emergency by sorting waste from home. This is a momentum for Greater Bandung and West Java to manage waste better, modern, and integrated," he said.

Meanwhile, West Java Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) Chief Executive Dani Ramdan said that although the emergency status of handling the Sarimukti TPA fire was not extended, the handling of waste emergency in Greater Bandung was extended until October 25.

"To reuse the Sarimukti TPA, West Java DLH needs to implement several things, including the closure of land in the burned area, building a fire protection system," said Dani.