Coordinating Minister AHY Calls for Stronger Central–Local Coordination on Spatial Planning
Jakarta (ANTARA) — Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) said central and regional governments need to work together to ensure compliance with spatial-planning rules, given that Indonesia lies in the Pacific Ring of Fire.
Speaking after a plenary Cabinet meeting in Jakarta on Wednesday evening, AHY stressed the need for vigilance, as highlighted by President Prabowo at the meeting. Indonesia’s location in the Ring of Fire exposes it to natural disasters such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
“Regional spatial planning must therefore be made to comply with all the rules set by the state. The central and regional governments must also work together to ensure that no one disregards spatial plans,” he said.
AHY warned that failure to comply with spatial-planning regulations could increase vulnerability to natural disasters, which occur frequently in Indonesia because of its geographical position.
“We must build resilience into infrastructure development. Infrastructure is not just about building more, but also about building stronger infrastructure that is more resilient and adaptable to climate change,” AHY added.
Earlier, President Prabowo Subianto highlighted the effects of changing weather patterns and Indonesia’s geographical conditions, including its location in the Ring of Fire, as challenges facing the country. He made the remarks as he opened the plenary Cabinet meeting.
Prabowo noted that Indonesia is an archipelago forming part of the Pacific Ring of Fire. The region is characterised by active volcanoes and constantly moving continental plates, creating a risk of natural disasters.
He said these geographical conditions were among the challenges that needed to be taken into account in governing the country. However, he also said they presented opportunities for Indonesia, including relatively fertile soil and valuable mineral resources.
“Although we are in the Ring of Fire, it also produces relatively fertile soil, as well as very valuable minerals,” he said.