Planting Trees to Protect Water Sources Earns Central Java DPRD Speaker an Award

The award was presented by detikNetwork chief executive Abdul Aziz and received by Agung Hariyadi, secretary of the Central Java Provincial DPRD, at the Nusantara Ballroom in the Batang Industrial Estate Special Economic Zone (SEZ), Central Java, on Friday (23 October 2026).

The award reflects an initiative by Sumanto, who launched the Merawat Pertiwi movement. The initiative has involved planting water-retaining trees in the Karanganyar area of Central Java.

Hundreds of volunteers, farmers and local residents took part, planting preh, bulu and banyan tree seedlings along a river that supplies water for agricultural land.

The trees were planted to support water conservation and help tackle the threat of drought during the dry season. Sumanto has also encouraged residents to care for the trees so that their ecological benefits can be sustained.

The initiative reflects an effort to build shared awareness of the need to protect water sources, prevent environmental damage and pass on a sustainable natural environment to future generations. The movement is expected to encourage stakeholders in Central Java to work together to safeguard water sources for a sustainable future.

The detikJateng-detikJogja Awards recognise figures who have contributed to Central Java and the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY). Participants included regional leaders, stakeholders and businesspeople involved in development in the two regions.

This year’s event was held under the theme ‘Central Java, Indonesia’s Investment Gateway: Government, Investor and Industrial Estate Synergy for Sustainable Economic Growth’. Alongside the awards ceremony, the event hosted the Central Java Investment Forum, which discussed investment opportunities in the province.

Budi Santoso, deputy chair of the SEZ Council’s Executive Team, attended on behalf of Coordinating Deputy Minister for Economic Affairs Dradjad Hari Wibowo. Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi also spoke at the event. Central Java Police Chief Inspector General Roy Hardi Siahaan and Diponegoro Military Command chief Major General Sudaryanto were guest speakers.

Meanwhile, the Central Java Provincial Government continues to pursue policies to make the province more attractive to investors. Realised investment in Central Java totalled Rp 88.50 trillion in 2025, up 28 per cent on the previous year, and generated around 326,000 jobs.