Dialog between President of the Republic of Indonesia and Participants of the Simultaneous Mangrove Tree Planting at Angke Kapuk Nature Tourism Park, North, Jakarta, May 15, 2023

TNI Commander-in-Chief (Yudo Margono)
His Excellency President of the Republic of Indonesia,
Distinguished Minister of Defense, Cabinet Secretary, Minister of Environment and Forestry, the Chief of National Police, the Chief of Staff of the Army, Chief of Staff of the Navy, and Chief of Staff of the Air Force, along with all the attendees.

This afternoon, the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI) and the National Police (POLRI) are currently planting mangroves simultaneously in 37 provinces, at 370 points, and approximately 1,000,100 trees have been planted. They are now ready to receive directives and greetings from the President. It is already dark in the Papua region right now, but they are still ready at their respective posts.

We invite the President to greet the soldiers who are representatives from the Balikpapan and Gorontalo Navy Base, Radsadj and Hasanuddin Air Force Base, and Koarmada II of Sriwijaya Regional Military Command.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
We just finished planting mangroves in Angke, Jakarta and throughout the country simultaneously. It is very important to rehabilitate our mangrove forests.

We know that mangrove forest in Indonesia is the largest in the world with the area of 3.3 million hectares. Some of which need to be rehabilitated. So, I express my deepest gratitude to the TNI-POLRI personnel and also to all environmental activists who have jointly rehabilitated our mangrove forests, which need repair.

Representative from Gorontalo, please go ahead.

TNI Commander (Yudo Margono)
Representative from Gorontalo please report the mangrove planting activity.

Commander of Gorontalo Navy Base (Indragiri Yani Wardhono)
Good afternoon Mr. President. I am Commander of Gorontalo Navy Base.

We had carried out mangrove planting activities in four planting locations. In Bone Bolango regency covers an area of four hectares with a total of 5,000 seeds that have been planted, involving all components of the nation, including TNI, POLRI, regional governments, ministries and related institutions.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Next, representative from Semampir Baru, Surabaya.

TNI Commander (Yudo Margono)
Please go ahead Commander of Koarmada II.

Commander of Koarmada II (Maman Firmansyah)
Good afternoon Mr. President, I am Commander of Koarmada II with Police Chief of East Java province.  We have planted mangrove trees in two locations. First, the land area is four hectares with 15,000 seeds planted. Second, in a land area of three hectares with 5,000 seeds planted. The activity involves all components of the nation, including the TNI, the POLRI, the regional governments, students, Scouts from Saka Bahari, students, then entrepreneurs. We will still hunt for empty lands to plant. We will continue this activity. Thank you.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
We want to protect our coast. We hope that this mangrove forest habitat can live again, such as fishes, monkeys, lizards, crabs. I think if they can return, the people will also get the economic benefits. I also appreciate the 20,000 seeds that have been planted. Are they finished?

Commander of Koarmada II (Maman Firmansyah)
Still ongoing, Sir.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Still ongoing. Do finish it. Thank you.

For Commander of Natuna Air Force Base, please go ahead.

Commander of Raden Sadjad Air Force Base (Jajang Sutiawan)
Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Wa’alaikumsalam.

Commander of Raden Sadjad Air Force Base (Jajang Sutiawan)
His Excellency President of the Republic of Indonesia,
I am Commander of Raden Sadjad Air Force Base, Colonel Jajang Sutiawan, from Natuna regency, Riau Islands province.

Raden Sadjad Air Force Base has carried out mangrove planting activities along the east coast of Adi Sucipto road, Raden Sadjad air base, which connects Ranai City and Penagih Old City. The planting area is 3,500 square meters, with a total of 2,500 trees planted, of which 1,000 trees have been planted since March and 1,500 trees are planted today.

Mangrove planting involves all components of the nation, including the TNI-POLRI, regional representatives, ministries/agencies, regency government and Natuna community leaders, as well as junior and senior high school students in Natuna regency. Our hope for this mangrove planting activity is to protect the coast from abrasion, as well as to protect the coastal ecosystem in the Natuna regency.

From Natuna to the Laut Sakti Rantau Bertuah, let’s save the coast of Indonesia.

I thank you.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Thank you.

The most important thing is after it is planted, it must be monitored and cared for, so that they live well. Don’t abandon them. Everything must be cared for and maintained.

Commander of Raden Sadjad Air Force Base (Jajang Sutiawan)
Yes, Sir.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Kodam II Sriwijaya, saya persilakan. Silakan.

Commander of Regional Military Command II Sriwijaya (Hilman Hadi)
His Excellency, Mr. President. I am Major General Hilman Hadi. Currently we are in Lambur village, on the outer coast, precisely in East Tanjung Jabung, Jambi province. We are accompanied by the Governor, the Regional Police Chief, the Forum for Regional Leaders Coordination (Forkopimda), scouts, all components of the community, and the Regent.

The Sriwijaya Military Command II is in charge of 38,440 tree seedlings for around 29 hectares land area. We have planted 35,640 seedlings and the remaining 2,000 seedlings will be planted soon. These are spread across five provinces under the Sriwijaya Military Command II in the 41 points and they responsibility of each province, in this case the five Territory Military and 16 District Military.

There were some inputs from the Forkopimda, especially the people on the coast area, saying that this is an extraordinary activity and later it is hoped that it can continue. The activity is not only today, but it will continue to be guarded so that we can see the results in the next 10-15 years.

That’s all, Mr. President. We, all the people in the Sepuh Nipah Serumpun Nibung area, even though it is under heavy rain, we are still enthusiastic.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Thank you all.

Commander of Regional Military Command II Sriwijaya (Hilman Hadi)
Thank you, Mr. President.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
The most important thing is to look after and care for the mangroves so that everything really grows 100 percent. Thank you.

Thank you for all.

TNI Commander (Yudo Margono)
Thank you for all. What was stated earlier by the President, that after planting this plant, it must be cared for so that we can enjoy the benefit.

Thank you all, the Regional Military Commanders, the Regional Police Chiefs, the Commander of Navy Base, the Commander of Air Force Base, the Forkopimda, the Governors, the Regents. Thank you everyone.

(EST/HD)