Diaz Hendropriyono: Waste Management is Pivotal

Presidential Special Staff Diaz Hendropriyono poses for a picture with NGO activists working in the field of waste management, at Rumah Sanur, Denpasar, Bali, Wednesday (14/8). (Photo by: Edi S/PR)

Indonesia is predicted to be included in six and five largest economy in the world by 2023 and 2030 respectively, but the waste issue is still unfinished,  Presidential Special Staff Diaz Hendropriyono has said.

“We know that Indonesia produces millions of tons of waste. We already have the law. But, even though we have resolved various issues, waste is still our problem,” Diaz said during the XVI “Dengar Yang Muda” (Listen to the Young) event, at Rumah Sanur, Denpasar, Bali, Wednesday (14/8).

This waste issue does not only affect health, tourism, and economy but also self-esteem as a nation. He emphasized that it is a strategic issue. “(The issue) has a huge impact on Indonesia’s vision of becoming a developed nation,” he said.

He also strongly criticized the act of public littering in the river and at sea and added that rivers are key to success for some ancient civilization, namely Ancient Egypt and the Nile, Sriwijaya Kingdom and the Musi River, and many others.

Diaz also encouraged the participants to continue the efforts to resolve the waste issue by mentioning that after the Rwandan genocide in 1994, the country is now managed to become the cleanest city in Africa with rapid economic growth.

“Hopefully, the attempt to resolve the waste issue does not stop at seminars but can be turned into real action,” he said.

On the occasion, Diaz applauded the success of Bali, particularly Denpasar, in addressing the issue of plastic waste and urged NGOs to continue their works.

Previously, Dengar Yang Muda event was also held in various cities, such as Jakarta, Bandung, and Gorontalo. (ES)

Translated by : Fairuzzamani Inayatillah
Edited by : Ridwan Ibadurrohman, Mia M. Bonaedy