The Ministry of Environment has confirmed that it will close three final waste processing sites (TPA) − Rate in Ende Regency, Aek Nabobar in Central Tapanuli Regency and Degayu in Pekalongan City − for their significant contribution to environmental pollution.

Minister of Environment, Hanif Faisol Nurofiq, said the three landfills were located in areas next to the coast and fish ponds.

"There are three landfills that may have their operations terminated because their potential for pollution is already huge. Two of them are located on the seashore and the other in the middle of fish pond," Hanif said on Monday, March 10, 2025.

First, the Rate TPA has the potential to be closed because of its location on the coast, lack of environmental documents and environmental approval.

Second, the Aek Nabobar TPA has the potential to be closed because it is located in a hilly area without environmental documents and environmental approval.

Third, the Degayu TPA has the potential to be closed because it is located on the coast without environmental documents and environmental approval.

Hanif said that the government is currently investigating the possibility of taking a legal approach to landfill managers who pollute the environment.

"We will take further steps related to the environmental damage caused," he said.

Rizal Irawan, Deputy for Law Enforcement at the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, said that the central government will assist regional governments, whose landfills have the potential to be closed because they pollute the environment.

"There is a service post to provide assistance to the local governments, and we will provide a hotline for further handling," he said.