Jumhur Reveals Prabowo's Message to Him: No Corruption and Handle Waste Management

Environment Minister/Head of the Environment Control Agency (BPLH) Jumhur Hidayat has revealed the message from Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto when asking him to join his government cabinet. He stated that the first message conveyed was a prohibition on engaging in corruption while in office. The second matter was to promptly handle waste governance in Indonesia. “Certainly, no corruption! That’s definite. That’s the first thing. No corruption is allowed,” Jumhur said at the Borobudur Hotel in Central Jakarta on Saturday (2/5). In addition, Jumhur revealed that Prabowo also places great emphasis on the waste issue, which is an urgent problem in various regions. He explained that one solution being promoted is processing waste into energy (waste to energy/WTE). However, according to him, not all regions use that approach. Jumhur cited his visit to Banyumas in Central Java some time ago with Prabowo. That area is said to be capable of implementing technology to produce alternative fuel from waste processing (Refuse Derived Fuel/RDF), not WTE. According to him, WTE technology generally requires investments of up to trillions of rupiah and will only be developed in around 36 agglomeration areas. Meanwhile, other regions still need short-term solutions without having to wait for those major projects to be completed. “That (WtE) might only be finished in 2-3 years, right? Are we going to wait? If we can find a better way to bridge that, why not welcome it? We don’t have to wait for it,” Jumhur stated. Still serving in the trade union On the other hand, Jumhur also touched on his position as the still-active general chairman of the Indonesian Confederation of Trade Unions (KSPSI). He assured that there is no conflict of interest because those activities are conducted outside working hours as a minister. “Still, yes (as general chairman of KSPSI). That’s not an issue, that’s civil society. A movement. No conflict of interest. It’s like being the head of a neighbourhood association. It’s fine to be a minister,” Jumhur said. “My (focus) is 100 percent on the Ministry of Environment. I shouldn’t be disturbed during working hours and days, but outside work, it’s my right to do whatever I want,” he clarified. President Prabowo Subianto inaugurated Jumhur Hidayat as the Environment Minister (LH) on Monday (27/4). Jumhur replaces Hanif Faisol, who has now been assigned by Prabowo as Deputy Minister Coordinator for Food Affairs.