Speaking at the Indonesia Net-Zero Summit 2025 here on Saturday, Hasan remarked that President Prabowo Subianto is deeply concerned about Indonesia's waste situation, including massive waste accumulation at the Bantargebang Waste Processing Site, which reportedly reaches the height of a 20-story building.
"President Prabowo asked me, 'Are we just going to let this garbage pile up? As a major nation, it is embarrassing. At Bantargebang, our garbage is as tall as a 20-floor building. How will we solve this?' I told him, 'Sir, give me a Presidential Decree, and I will solve it in two years,'" Hasan stated.
The government targets large-scale waste management, especially for areas producing over one thousand tons of waste, using waste-to-energy technology.
Hasan emphasized that this technology, which transforms waste into an energy source, has proven effective and is widely used in many developed countries.
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However, he acknowledged that during his nine months in office, the development of WTE facilities has often been hindered by complex bureaucratic processes.
"Every time we try to take a step, the process becomes complicated. Yet, many parties are interested in this project," he stated.
To overcome these obstacles, the government is currently finalizing a new regulation expected to be completed within one to two weeks. He said this regulation would simplify the lengthy bureaucratic chain.
Earlier, the WTE process required approvals from multiple parties, including local councils, the finance minister, the environment minister, the energy and mineral resources (ESDM) minister, and the state electricity firm PLN.
Under the new regulation, local governments will have a simplified role, focusing solely on providing land and transporting waste. Negotiations with PLN and subsidy-related matters will be handled directly by the central government.
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Translator: Shofi, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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