Minister of Environment and Sri Sultan Discuss Development That Does Not Neglect the Environment

Minister of Environment Moh Jumhur Hidayat, in a meeting with the Governor of the Special Region of Yogyakarta Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X, discussed the importance of development that does not neglect environmental sustainability but instead honours the earth. The meeting, held at the Kepatihan complex in Yogyakarta on Friday, focused on local wisdom that emphasises development must not ignore environmental conservation. He conveyed that this philosophy of leadership and local wisdom from Yogyakarta is very much in line with the strategic vision of the Ministry of Environment, which holds that national development should no longer be solely oriented towards economic growth figures, but must ensure ecological sustainability and the continuous improvement of the community’s quality of life. Furthermore, he stated that development must be able to maintain a harmonious relationship between humans and between humans and nature. Minister Jumhur made similar remarks when he was a keynote speaker at the Fourth Congress of the Indonesian Social Development Association at Gadjah Mada University, where he asserted that every current development plan must include integrated indicators of social and ecological resilience. ‘Currently, the environmental aspect of the Environmental Impact Analysis is good, but it needs improvement in terms of integration and social preparation. That must be considered,’ said Minister Jumhur. He also highlighted the importance of social justice in every large-scale investment. Economic growth driven by corporations or industries must have a direct impact on improving the welfare of residents in the surrounding operational areas, through job creation, knowledge transfer, and the active involvement of the community in the local economic supply chain.