JAKARTA, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- The governor of Indonesia's resort island of Bali, I Wayan Koster, has requested the environment ministry to postpone the closure of the Suwung Final Disposal Site (TPA Suwung) until November 2026, citing the need for better preparation of waste management facilities.
Koster said Wednesday that the landfill was initially scheduled to close on Feb. 28, 2026, but the provincial government has asked for an extension to ensure a smoother transition to more advanced waste treatment systems.
The proposed delay is aimed at allowing sufficient time for the development of waste-to-energy facilities and supporting infrastructure.
The environment ministry has, in principle, agreed to the request but stressed that the extension should not be prolonged unnecessarily. The ministry will continue to monitor progress to ensure waste disposal at Suwung decreases gradually.
Koster said alternative landfills, including one in Bangli Regency, are not suitable to replace Suwung due to technical and environmental constraints.
The Bali provincial government considers keeping Suwung operational until November 2026 as the most practical solution while awaiting the completion of waste-to-energy facilities, which are expected to be fully operational in 2028. ■
