President Jokowi Inaugurates Centralized Waste Management System in South Sumatera

President Jokowi inaugurates the Sei Selayur Centralized Domestic Waste Water Management System located in Kalidoni District, Palembang City, South Sumatra, Thursday (10/26) afternoon (Photo: Presidential Secretariat’s Information, Media, and Press Bureau (BPMI)/Vico)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo Thursday (10/26) inaugurated the Sei Selayur Centralized Domestic Waste Water Management System in Kalidoni district, Palembang city, South Sumatra province.

According to the President, this infrastructure can support environmental restoration efforts and improve public health in the ciity.

“The Musi River has been polluted with waste, endangering the health conditions of the residents here, especially the residents around the river. Therefore, this domestic waste management system is very important to reduce pollution in the Musi River which can endanger public health and reduce environmental quality in Palembang City,” he said.

The President added that people in Palembang City currently still use the Musi River water to support household activities and for bathing.

On that occasion, the President also expressed his appreciation to the Australian government for supporting the development of the centralized waste management system using a budget of Rp1.32 trillion.

“This is the result of cooperation, the result of collaboration between the Australian Government, which contributed the most or Rp690 billion, the Central Government Rp624 billion, and the regional government Rp24 billion. For that cause, I would like to thank the Australian government through Ambassador Penny Williams,” he said.

The President also expressed hope that this infrastructure can be continuously developed so that it can reach more people in South Sumatra.

“I hope that this project, which currently only reaches ten percent of the Palembang City population, can be continuously developed so that the Musi River becomes cleaner and more beautiful, and the people living around it can live a healthier life and do their activities safely,” he concluded.

Also joining the President at this event were, among others, Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono, Chief of Presidential Staff Moeldoko, Acting Governor of South Sumatra Agus Fatoni, Acting Mayor of Palembang Ratu Dewa, and Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Penny Williams. (TGH/UN) (TM/EP)