Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. At least 20 children in East Cakung, North Jakarta, have reportedly fallen ill following air pollution allegedly linked to the trial operation of the Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Plant in Rorotan.

“Twenty of my residents are suffering from various air-related illnesses and that’s only from my neighborhood unit, not including nearby areas,” said a neighbourhood unit head, Wahyu Andre Maryono, on Monday (3/11/2025), as reported by antaranews.com.

He explained that the children began experiencing symptoms throughout October 2025, coinciding with the RDF plant’s trial run. Reported illnesses include eye irritation, coughing, colds, vomiting, and acute respiratory infections (ARI). 

Five children remain sick.

Residents have demanded that the Jakarta administration halt the RDF Plant’s operation, claiming it fails to meet operational standards and threatens community health. “

We urge authorities to close or suspend the plant to protect residents’ health and quality of life,” Wahyu added.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)