Prabowo pushes reforestation of denuded forests across Indonesia

President Prabowo Subianto is pushing for the reforestation of denuded forests across Indonesia as part of medium- and long-term measures to protect the environment and ensure water availability.

He made the remarks during a coordination meeting on the earthquake response in Nagekeo Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, at an evacuation post at the 834/Wakanga Mere Territorial Development Battalion headquarters in Tonggurambang village, Mbay, on Wednesday.

“So all the people must understand. That is why we will educate them later. So BRIN, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, will educate not only NTT but all regencies throughout Indonesia on the need to protect forests that have been denuded and to regreen them,” he said, as monitored via a live stream on the Presidential Secretariat’s YouTube channel.

The president said the effort requires patience, perseverance, fortitude, and mutual cooperation.

To that end, he also called for the public to be educated on the importance of protecting forests and regreening denuded areas.

Prabowo also asked Indonesian Military Commander General Agus Subiyanto, National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, and all units to play a role in the effort.

“Later the TNI Commander, the National Police Chief, and all units will also take on an important role,” he said.

Prabowo said advances in science and technology can also be harnessed to address water issues.

“We now have technology. Science and technology have made many technologies increasingly affordable,” he said.

Furthermore, Prabowo reiterated the importance of having the courage to think big and set high targets in developing the regions.

“We must be determined. So we must dare to think, and that thinking must be big thinking. Dare to think big. Dare to have high targets,” he said.

Prabowo also reminded regional leaders to always side with the people, especially when communities are in difficult conditions.

“When times are hard, always side with your people. If you act for your people, you will not go wrong. Your people are suffering, they are hungry — how can you make sure they are not hungry?” he said.