Environment Minister Promotes Integrated Environmental Approach, Ready for National Replication
PEKANBARU — Environment Minister Mohammad Jumhur Hidayat has emphasised the need for a new approach to addressing environmental issues in Indonesia that is more integrated and cross-sectoral. According to him, environmental problems can no longer be handled solely through law enforcement but must touch on mindset changes, governance, and inter-agency collaboration.
“Environmental issues are not just about law. This is about how we build awareness, change behaviour, and strengthen governance comprehensively,” said Jumhur.
He assessed that environmental issues have now evolved into strategic problems encompassing aspects of security, economy, and social justice. Therefore, an approach is needed that can address this complexity systemically, not partially.
This view was expressed by Jumhur during a working visit to the Riau Provincial Police. On that occasion, he listened to a presentation on the Green Policing approach developed as part of efforts to address environmental issues in the region.
Jumhur admitted he was impressed with the approach that not only focuses on enforcement but also on building collective awareness through cultural and institutional work pattern changes. He even said the concept exceeded his expectations.
“I listened to the entire presentation, and I feel there is nothing left for me to speech here. What happened today I will adopt,” he said.
He assessed that a model like this has great potential to be replicated in various regions in Indonesia. According to him, if a similar approach can be applied widely, environmental management will be far more effective and sustainable.
“This is very good. If approaches like this happen everywhere, in every institution, I think we can handle environmental problems much better,” he said.
Furthermore, Jumhur reaffirmed his commitment to promoting the implementation of various innovative approaches at the national level. He stated that his ministry would study and ensure that good practices in the regions can be adopted in practice.
“I will ensure together with friends in the ministry how what is being done today can really happen in all regions,” he said.
In addition, Jumhur also highlighted the importance of ensuring justice in natural resource management, particularly related to people’s mining activities. He reminded that handling illegal mining issues should not only target field actors but also the main players in the economic chain.
“Miners are not necessarily bad, because many of them are local communities. Those who usually have problems are the buyers. Therefore, it is important that we push for people’s mining business permits to be issued soon, so that there is legal certainty and protection for the community,” he explained.
According to Jumhur, the presence of the central government in the regions is also part of efforts to strengthen attention to environmental issues while ensuring real improvements in various environmental living indicators.
With a more collaborative and just approach, he is optimistic that efforts to maintain environmental sustainability in Indonesia can run more effectively, while providing direct benefits to the community.