Prabowo: Nature Must Be Preserved, No Arbitrary Tree Felling

President Prabowo Subianto has called on regional heads and government agencies to protect and preserve nature. One way of doing so, he said, is by not cutting down trees carelessly.

According to President Prabowo, the beauty of nature is one of the attractions drawing foreign tourists to visit Indonesia. “What draws tourists to our country? What draws them is our culture, what draws them is the beauty of our land, what draws them is the atmosphere of our country,” said Prabowo while attending the inauguration of the revitalisation of Semarang Tawang Station on Thursday (30/7/2026).

The President added that to grow tourism, every regency and city, down to the district level, must be clean. For this reason, Prabowo said, tackling the waste problem is one of his government’s priorities. “Within one year, we must resolve the waste problem across Indonesia,” he said.

Prabowo said that all rivers and streams must also be kept clean. “Nature must be protected, trees must not be cut down carelessly. If necessary, we will plant hundreds of millions of new trees. Aesthetics and beauty must be maintained,” he said.

Therefore, the President ordered governors, regents and mayors, as well as other government agencies, to preserve nature. “We will change the image of Indonesia — it must be preserved, it must be beautiful, it must be serene,” said Prabowo.