MPR Deputy Speaker Highlights Illegal Tree Felling at Bandung Padel Court

Deputy Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) Eddy Soeparno has highlighted the case of ten trees being illegally felled on Jalan LLRE Martadinata (Riau), directly in front of the Six Nine Padel Court area in Bandung, West Java, which he said violates environmental protection provisions.

Eddy said the presence of trees in urban areas serves an important ecological function and should not be sacrificed for commercial interests.

“From the outset I have paid close attention to the illegal felling of trees, which appears to have been carried out to make way for the construction of a padel facility that includes a video billboard,” Eddy said in Bandung on Tuesday.

According to him, the matter becomes serious when the commercialisation of urban space sacrifices environmental aspects, especially when the felling is carried out without a permit.

“There must be law enforcement, both in the form of compensation in accordance with regional regulations and beyond that,” he said.

Eddy also urged stronger regulation on tree protection, including through the revision of the environmental protection law currently being deliberated by the House of Representatives (DPR RI).

“I think there needs to be an explicit provision in the revision of the environmental protection law regarding the handling of tree issues,” he said.

“Trees do not merely absorb CO2 but also store CO2. They not only provide a greener and shadier space, but also serve as a showcase for a city,” Eddy said.

Eddy expressed appreciation for the swift action taken by the Bandung city government in handling the case. According to him, the Bandung city government’s response can serve as an example for other regional leaders in protecting trees and the urban environment.

“I appreciate and commend the mayor’s swift action in seriously addressing this issue, including all ranks of the Bandung city government,” he said.