Prabowo: Waste Management a Top Priority This Year, Must Be Resolved

President Prabowo Subianto has stated his desire for Indonesia’s waste problem to be resolved within the next year. He stressed that environmental cleanliness is a key requirement for promoting the tourism sector. The statement was made during the revitalisation of Semarang Tawang Station in Central Java on Thursday. He reminded that tourists come to Indonesia attracted by its culture and natural beauty, making cleanliness a crucial factor for advancing the country’s tourism industry. “So, one of the requirements for tourism is that every city, every district, every sub-district, especially provincial capitals, district capitals, and sub-district capitals, must be clean,” he said. “Therefore, waste is our priority. Within this one year, we must solve the waste problem throughout Indonesia. All rivers must be clean, all streams must be clean. Nature must be preserved, trees must not be cut down carelessly. If necessary, we will plant hundreds of millions of new trees. Aesthetics and beauty must be maintained.” Prabowo explained that developing the tourism sector is an effective way to drive the economy and increase foreign exchange earnings. He illustrated that a foreign tourist drinking a cup of coffee in Indonesia helps support farmers in the regions and logistics players. “Those involved in logistics take coffee from the plantations to the city, to the factories, those who package the coffee, and finally those who sell the coffee in restaurants, in hotels, the chain is long. One tourist can support the livelihoods of 10 to 15 of our people,” he said.