Former Head of DKI LH Becomes Suspect in Bantargebang Landslide, Rano Karno: He Has Been Warned Since 2024 

Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta Rano Karno / PHOTO: Diah Ayu-VOI

JAKARTA - Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta Rano Karno responded to the determination of a suspect against the former Head of the DKI Jakarta Environment Service by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry. This determination is related to the case of a garbage landslide in TPST Bantargebang which killed seven people.

Rano emphasized that the problem of waste management in Bantargebang was not something that happened in a short time. He said that warnings about safety aspects had been delivered two years ago.

"This is actually a long journey. It's not a one-week, two-week journey. It has even been commemorated since 2024. Well, that means, this is a consequence that must be borne," said Rano at the DKI Jakarta City Hall, Tuesday, April 21.

According to Rano, the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government will respect the legal process that is running. He assessed that the determination of the suspect was a consequence that must be carried out by the parties concerned.

"We obey the law, all kinds of yes. If that really is a consequence, yes, just carry it out. But for sure we will, what is the term, what is the best thing to do," said Rano.

He also emphasized that this event should be a lesson in improving the waste management system in Jakarta. One of them is by encouraging the sorting of waste from the household level.

"Actually, we have also made preparations for breakthroughs. We start, not really start, it's just not run by sorting garbage from the start of the house," explained Rano.

Rano revealed that the volume of Jakarta waste, which reaches around 7,000 tons per day, is indeed a big challenge. This condition is exacerbated by the capacity of TPST Bantargebang which has been used for decades.

In addition, the DKI Provincial Government has also begun to encourage the use of waste processing technology into electricity or intermediate treatment facilities (ITF). Rano said, there is currently a scheme that allows electricity from waste processing to be purchased by PLN.

"Insyaallah with the existing technology and now there is a solution that electricity can be generated and PLN has the right to buy. If you don't want to buy it before, it's electricity but it can't be distributed. Well now, that. Actually old technology, nih. It's just that now we've found the system," he said.

It is known that the law enforcement apparatus of the Ministry of LH has named the former Head of the DKI Jakarta Environment Service (LH), Asep Kuswanto, as a suspect in the Bantargebang landslide case. The incident, which occurred on March 8, 2026, killed seven people.

The determination of the suspect was carried out in the course of an investigation into the alleged management of garbage that did not meet the norms, standards, procedures, and criteria. This case has come under the spotlight because of the impact it has on human life.

Minister of Environment/Head of the Environment Control Agency (KLH/BPLH) Hanif Faisol Nurofiq emphasized that legal proceedings were carried out after the stages of guidance and supervision were considered to be ignored.

"This law enforcement is part of the government's commitment to ensure that waste management is carried out responsibly and in accordance with the provisions of laws and regulations. We have provided space for coaching, supervision, and administrative sanctions. However, if it is not obeyed, then law enforcement must be carried out," said Hanif.

Previously, TPST Bantargebang had been subject to administrative sanctions in the form of government coercion since December 2024. Supervision of the implementation of the sanctions was carried out in April and May 2025, but the managers were judged to have not fulfilled the obligations set out.

In addition, environmental audit obligations have also been given, but until the investigation process is underway, no significant improvements have been seen in the management of waste management at the location.

Deputy Head of Environmental Law Enforcement KLH/BPLH Rizal Irawan said that criminal steps were taken after violations continued to occur and there was no significant improvement.

"In every case handling, we always prioritize coaching and supervision first. However, if based on scientific evidence, violations continue to occur or there is no significant improvement, then criminal law enforcement must be carried out as a form of legal certainty and deterrent effect," said Rizal.

KLH/BPLH said that investigators had examined a number of witnesses and experts, and strengthened the evidence with laboratory test results to ensure the responsible party.