Sultan HB X Reminds that Investments in DIY Must Not Harm the Environment

The Governor of the Special Region of Yogyakarta, Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X, has requested that every investor entering the region refrain from damaging the environment. The Sultan highlighted that environmental degradation has mostly been caused by human activities. Therefore, the Sultan emphasised that investments with the potential to harm nature will not find a place in Yogyakarta. “We are concerned about not damaging the environment, so for investments, we are selective; if they will only harm nature or cause environmental pollution, it is better not to enter (invest) in Yogyakarta,” said the Sultan during the First Quarterly Coordination Meeting for Regional Development Control (Rakordal) of DIY in 2026 at Gedhong Pracimasana, Kepatihan Complex, on Thursday (30/4/2026). According to him, this policy is in line with the philosophy of hamemayu hayuning bawana, which places the preservation of nature as a primary part of development in DIY. The Sultan stressed the importance of maintaining the balance of nature to avoid disasters in the future. “How we protect God’s creation, how we can wisely manage it, that’s all,” he stated. In addition to highlighting environmental aspects, the Sultan also touched on the challenges of developing the southern DIY area. The Governor of DIY assessed that limited infrastructure, particularly north-south connectivity, is the main obstacle to distributing seafood and local products. “I also need a road from south to north or vice versa. Because if there is no (north-south route -Ed) route, seafood products cannot get out. And the road’s qualification must also be equivalent to be passed by large vehicles. If the road’s status is only a village road or district road, then vehicles cannot pass each other,” he explained.