President Jokowi Hands Over Forest Decrees in Balikpapan

President Jokowi accompanied by Minister of SOE Erick Thohir and Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung talk with Saifudin, one of the forest certificate recipients at Bamboo Forest, Balikpapan city, East Kalimantan province, Wednesday (02/22). (Photo by: Agung/PR)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo Wednesday (02/22) at Bamboo Tourism Forest, Balikpapan city, East Kalimantan province handed over 514 Social Forest Decrees (SK), nineteen Customary Forest Decrees, and fourty-six Agrarian Reform Object Decrees (TORA) to the residents.

In his remarks, the President advised the recipients to make the most of the land to improve their welfare.

“The land should be utilized for the welfare of the recipients. The land must be productive because that is the reason the Government distribute the Decree. Don’t neglect it,” said the President.

On this occasion, the President also had a dialog with several recipients, one of whom is Saifudin, a man who has a plan to turn the land into a nature education area.

“We often arrange student camps on the land,” said Saifudin, while expressing optimism that Balikpapan city will become a major city and he will continue his idea so that it can provide benefits to the surrounding communities.

He also explained that the land used as a natural educational tourism area can still be able to provide benefits even though it is managed independently.

In response to this, President Jokowi said he appreciated and supported Saifudin’s idea since it can help children get to know nature more closely. (BPMI/AIT) (EST/EP)