BALINEWSID.COM, DENPASAR — Hundreds of garbage trucks under the Bali Self-Managed Waste Forum (Forkom SSB) staged a massive on Thursday (April 16, 2026), protesting restrictions on waste disposal at Suwung Landfill (TPA Suwung).

Approximately 400 trucks began arriving at around 9:30 a.m. WITA, crowding the area in front of the Bali Governor’s Office in Renon, South Denpasar. By 10:00 a.m., traffic in the surrounding area was reported to have come to a complete standstill as rows of trucks were parked along the roadside.

Police officers from Denpasar City Police (Polresta Denpasar) were deployed to secure the demonstration and ensure it remained orderly. Denpasar Police Chief, Senior Commissioner Leonardo D. Simatupang, said the protesters had mobilized in a coordinated manner from the Suwung landfill area toward the protest site.

Forkom SSB Chairman I Wayan Suarta stated that the protest was triggered by new restrictions on both organic and non-organic waste disposal at TPA Suwung, which he said had adversely affected waste transport operators.

“Garbage trucks are currently being denied entry to the landfill on the grounds that it is overloaded,” Suarta said during the rally near the Bali-Nusra Center for Environmental Control.

During the protest, demonstrators delivered three key demands: to keep TPA Suwung fully operational without restrictions, to continue the revitalization of the Waste-to-Energy (PSEL) project, and to seek direct intervention from the Indonesian President to resolve Bali’s ongoing waste management crisis.

Forkom SSB also warned of a mass strike by garbage collectors if their demands are not met, raising concerns over a potential disruption to waste collection services across the island.

Amid the demonstration, around 10 representatives entered the Bali-Nusra Environmental Control Center office for a dialogue session. At the same time, the official vehicle of Bali Governor Wayan Koster was seen entering the premises.

Security measures had been in place since early morning as protesters gathered at Jalan Serangan before moving to the main protest location. Authorities recorded at least 230 trucks, 60 motorcycles, and approximately 600 participants joining the convoy.

Prior to departure, police had urged demonstrators to maintain order, prioritize peaceful action, and avoid provocation.

The protest has drawn significant public attention as Bali continues to grapple with mounting waste management challenges, particularly due to the frequent overcapacity at TPA Suwung.