Enviro News Asia, Lampung – The Minister of Environment, Hanif Faisol Nurofiq, sealed the Bakung landfill site (TPA) in Bandarlampung City. The action was taken due to multiple violations, including environmentally unfriendly waste management, landfill leachate pollution, and other infractions.
The sealing was carried out by installing an announcement board at the landfill’s entrance on Saturday (December 28, 2024) and remained visible as of Monday (December 30). The landfill site is now under the supervision of the Ministry of Environment. Minister Hanif stated that this sealing should lead to legal proceedings to identify and prosecute those responsible for the violations.
Bandarlampung Mayor, Eva Dwiana, expressed her surprise, saying she had not been informed about the closure of the landfill. Eva claimed that communication with the Ministry of Environment had always been good. The 13.5-hectare landfill site has been operational since 1994. “So, what exactly is the violation?” Eva questioned.
For context, the Bakung landfill in Bandarlampung experienced a massive fire in September 2023. The fire burned continuously for five days, making it difficult to extinguish, and the resulting smoke covered many surrounding areas.
The Director of the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) in Lampung, Irfan Tri Musri, emphasized that the Ministry of Environment should not stop at merely sealing the landfill. He urged the ministry to take firm action by pursuing legal processes and identifying suspects. According to him, many parties could be held accountable for the mismanagement of the landfill site.
