AHY Launches 'Glorify Rivers' Movement, Urges Public to Protect the Ciliwung

Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) has called on the public, government, and environmental communities to strengthen collaboration in preserving rivers. The appeal was made during an inspection of the upper Ciliwung River area in Cibinong, Bogor Regency, West Java, on Friday (19/6/2026).

AHY, together with the Ministry of Public Works, local government, members of the House of Representatives, and the ‘Ayo Muliakan Sungai’ (Let’s Glorify Rivers) Community, carried out a clean-up along the Ciliwung River while inspecting the river’s condition from its upstream section.

According to AHY, rivers play a vital role as a source of life for communities. He noted that many great civilisations developed around rivers because they provide water, food, and economic activity. “Indonesia is an archipelagic nation, but it is also a river country, because we have so many rivers. Rivers must continue to be a source of life for the people,” AHY said.

He stressed that efforts to glorify rivers mean maintaining water quality so it remains clean and suitable for public use. According to him, human survival is highly dependent on the availability of clean water. “No water, no life. Without clean water, it is difficult for us to live well, healthily, and comfortably,” AHY stated.

AHY explained that the Ciliwung River, which stretches approximately 124 kilometres from Bogor to Jakarta, still faces various problems, ranging from rubbish and siltation to environmental degradation. Therefore, flood management and river restoration must be carried out comprehensively from upstream to downstream. “When we talk about floods, we must discuss the problems from upstream to the very end. That is why we are jointly cleaning the upstream areas, including the rubbish that is still there,” he said.

During the inspection, several illegal waste disposal sites were found around the river. According to AHY, inadequate management of waste disposal sites has the potential to worsen environmental quality and pollute the river. “Temporary disposal sites and final disposal sites must be in truly proper condition to prevent accumulation that then pollutes the environment, including rivers,” he said.

AHY noted that waste problems are still found in several parts of the Ciliwung River, including in the downstream Jakarta area which he had previously inspected. “Rubbish is still visible on the left and right banks, even in the middle of the river, everywhere. This is what we must clean up,” AHY said.

In addition to waste removal, the government is also preparing measures to restore the river ecosystem through normalisation to address siltation and the release of endemic Ciliwung fish fingerlings. The government is also developing a green corridor concept along the Ciliwung River. The area is expected to function as a conservation space as well as a public space that can be utilised by the community.

AHY believes that a clean river has the potential to support local economic activities and the development of environment-based tourism. “If the Ciliwung and other rivers are clean, they could even become new attractions to bring in tourists and build the local economy,” he said.

Irwan, Chairman of the ‘Ayo Muliakan Sungai’ Community, said the movement was born out of concern for the condition of rivers in Indonesia. According to him, community involvement is a crucial factor in maintaining river sustainability. “We are talking about 70,000 rivers across the country. After the launch, we will form management structures in all provinces, regencies, and cities to carry the spirit of glorifying rivers,” Irwan said.