Rencana PSEL Bantar Gebang ancam nasib ribuan pemulung? | #dwidn

Overview

The subtitles discuss concerns about a government plan to build a waste-processing project in Bantar Gebang (TPST). The project aims to convert waste into electrical energy as part of efforts to reduce the growing garbage problem by 2029, following a request from President Prabowo.

Key Concerns Raised

• Threat to scavengers’ livelihoods: Scavengers fear that if waste processing reduces or eliminates sorting and recycling activities, they may lose their main source of income (i.e., their work may disappear).

• Health and environmental worries for nearby residents: Local residents are concerned about potential impacts such as:

  • Bad odors
  • Deteriorating air quality
  • Water channel flooding and other downstream environmental effects

• Skepticism about environmental standards and feasibility: Walhi (the Indonesian environmental forum) questions whether the project will truly be operated in an environmentally friendly way. They cite fears that projects may be built but fail to operate properly, potentially harming people living around the facility.

• Cost concerns and doubts about government capacity: The project is estimated to require around IDR 500,000 per ton of waste. With a target of 1,000 tons per day, the daily cost is stated as Rp. 500 million/day. Walhi doubts the government can meet and sustain this budget.

Government Response

As of the time of publication, the report notes that the government had not yet responded to these concerns.

Presenters / Contributors

• President Prabowo
• WALHI (Indonesian environmental forum)
• Dewinta