House Member Urges Citizens to Support Environmentally Conscious Development

Purwokerto (ANTARA) - Member of Commission VII of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) Siti Mukaromah has invited the people of Banyumas and Cilacap to support environmentally conscious national development by preserving nature, beginning with the smallest sphere: their own residential surroundings. “When we are friendly to the environment, the environment will also be friendly to us. Therefore, protecting the environment is a shared obligation, at least starting from our own home environment,” she stated during a Public Aspiration Absorption event themed ‘Environmentally Conscious National Development’ in Purwokerto, Banyumas Regency, Central Java, on Saturday evening. She noted that Indonesia possesses immense natural wealth, with over 17,000 islands and maritime areas dominating the national territory. Consequently, this wealth must be utilised wisely while its sustainability is maintained to support the people’s welfare in a sustainable manner. She said national development cannot be separated from environmental protection efforts, as ecological damage will ultimately impact community life. She also reminded the public to be grateful for the geographical conditions of Banyumas and Cilacap, which are relatively more accessible compared to several other regions in Indonesia that still face transportation and connectivity limitations. “Therefore, the environment and nature we have in Banyumas and Cilacap must be appreciated and protected,” she said. She invited all elements of society to collaborate in developing the region by harnessing its potential without neglecting aspects of environmental sustainability. On the sidelines of the event, the legislator, familiarly known as Erma, explained that the public aspiration absorption programme (Asmas) is a programme of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR RI) aimed at listening to the various hopes, complaints, and issues faced by the community in her electoral district. According to her, the aspirations conveyed by the public will serve as material for the people’s representatives to champion in various forums at the DPR RI and MPR RI, in accordance with their authority and the substance of the issues raised. “This programme is important so that the public has a space to convey their aspirations, and we have an obligation to listen, record, and fight for them,” said the member, who also serves on the DPR RI’s Public Aspiration Board (BAM). Regarding the theme of environmentally conscious development, she asserted that efforts to protect nature must start from the smallest sphere, namely the family and immediate surroundings, then be expanded to the village, regency, and national levels. Responding to the rejection by some residents of mining activities in several areas of Banyumas, she said environmental issues in the region need serious attention because mining activities, both legal and illegal, have the potential to cause long-term impacts on the ecosystem and community life. According to her, the extraction of materials from rivers and other areas can increase the risk of flooding and landslides if not managed wisely. She also highlighted the issue of mining permit governance, where some authority lies at the central level. She admitted to having conveyed this issue to the Governor of Central Java during a recess visit. From the explanation she received, permits for a number of legal mining activities fall under the authority of the central government, thus requiring cross-institutional attention and coordination. Therefore, she assessed that the mining issue in Banyumas is not solely the responsibility of the regional government but also requires attention from the central government, the DPR RI, business actors, and the community so that economic interests do not neglect environmental sustainability. “Do not only look at momentary profits. We must also think about environmental sustainability and public safety so that we do not continue to face floods, landslides, or other disasters,” Erma concluded.