Commission XII of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) officially facilitated a Hearing (RDP) between residents of Tamalanrea, Makassar—joined under the People's Movement Rejecting the PLTSa Construction Site (GERAM PLTSa)—and the Makassar City Government alongside related agencies. This meeting proved crucial in addressing community resistance to the Waste Processing into Electrical Energy (PSEL) project planned in a densely populated area.
During the forum, community representatives emphasized that their objection was not directed at waste management innovation itself, but rather at the selection of a location deemed highly inappropriate. The project site is planned just one meter from residents' homes and adjacent to schools and healthcare facilities. The lack of meaningful participation in the licensing process was a primary point highlighted by the public and advocacy teams.
Beyond social concerns, the hearing revealed alleged administrative violations regarding spatial planning. A chronological mismatch was found between the issuance of the Spatial Utilization Activity Conformity Approval (PKKPR) in May 2024 and the location designation in Makassar City's Regional Spatial Plan (RTRW), which was only ratified in December 2024. WALHI South Sulawesi also expressed regret over the lack of transparency regarding the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA/AMDAL) documents, which remain inaccessible to the directly affected public.
From a health perspective, concerns have arisen over hazardous emissions such as dioxins and furans, particularly given the dominance of organic waste in Makassar, which risks incomplete combustion if incinerator temperatures fluctuate. Syamsinar, a resident representative, stressed that the health of children and the elderly in Kampung Mula Baru and surrounding areas must not be sacrificed for infrastructure development that neglects public safety.
Responding to these aspirations, Commission XII promised to follow up on residents' concerns by conducting a direct field visit. The meeting leadership even hinted at relocation as the most realistic solution to defuse the conflict. A total of 1,573 resident signatures were submitted to the DPR as formal support for the demand, while asserting their legal right to a healthy environment.
