Press Statement of President of the Republic of Indonesia at Inspection of Mentawir Nursery in North Penajam Paser Regency, East Kalimantan Province, February 23, 2023

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Well, we have prepared Mentawir Nursery since two years ago to support reforestation program at the Nusantara Capital (IKN) area and Kalimantan Island. The nursery is expected to produce approximately 20 million seeds annually, while Rumpin Nursery can only produce six million seeds. The seeds planted at this nursery include endemic Kalimantan plants, especially species of dipterocarpaceae; meranti, camphor, lime, and balangeran plants. We also plant some of Kalimantan’s rare trees, one of which is sungkai. We plant it in peat areas.

Previously, the IKN area adopted monoculture [farming], only one variety was grown, that is eucalyptus. The area will later be filled with other plants and seeds, not to mention other fruit trees such as durian and guava in order to attract animals. The big idea starts here. Our commitment to the environment starts from the nursery development. Do not hesitate. There are 20 million seeds here. If you have visited Rumpin, then you can imagine six million seeds there and 20 million seeds here. It is a very large amount and required a dam since we need plenty of water. That is all.

Journalist
Is the nursery developed only at the IKN?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
The nursery development is not only for the IKN. Once again, the nursery is developed for the entire island of Kalimantan, including reclamation of ex-mining sites and critical lands. They need to be reforested.

Journalist
What kind of policies will be taken regarding the handling of ex-mining sites, Sir? Is it the Government or the company responsible for that?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
It can be the company, the Government, or the two of them. But if they cannot find the seeds, the nursery is home for the seeds since the key lies in the nursery.

Journalist
Is this nursery center considered as the Government’s move to attract investors to the IKN, Sir?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
No. the IKN development holds an environmental concept. If it is not supported by the nursery, it means nothing.

Journalist
So, is it not a way to attract more investors to invest in the IKN development?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
The plan is to present the environmental concept so the ambiance or nuance can be really felt instead of just a green city. It is fine if the seeds will be planted in the IKN in the first year. We will continuously produce them for the entire Kalimantan.

Journalist
Sir, any response on the inputs from Minsitry of Environment and Forestry to establish a zoo around the nursery area?

Minsiter of Environment and Forestry (Siti Nurbaya)
No, it is not directed yet by the President.

Journalist
No directions yet?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
The most important thing here is we can protect Orang Utan. Not in the IKN of course, but in Kalimantan, which can be a nature tourism too. There are also a population of proboscis monkey here, which are also protected for nature tourism. It is many. Yesterday afternoon, I also urge for plantations near the Sepaku Dam so it can become a nature tourism site for people residing in the IKN. 

(RIF/MMB)