Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia at the Inauguration of Pamukkulu Dam and Tempe Sengkang Market in Takalar Regency, South Sulawesi Province, July 5, 2024

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullah wabarakatuh.

Distinguished Ministers of the Indonesia Onward Cabinet,

Distinguished Chair of the Fifth Commission of the House of Representatives,

Distinguished Governor of South Sulawesi Province, Regent of Takalar Regency, customary figures, public figures,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Water is the source of life. It is not only used for daily activities. It is essential because every country is experiencing a decline in agricultural productivity, in rice production. It is forecast that 500 million people throughout the globe may suffer from starvation. Thus, water becomes essential. Therefore, this morning, we distributed pumps to pump water from the river to rice fields to prevent a decline in rice production because a long drought will likely occur.

We distributed 80 pumps in Bantaeng regency, but we are distributing 20,000 to all regions across the country. The target is to distribute 70,000, which will be used to enhance our agricultural productivity.

The purpose of Pamukkulu Dam in Takalar regency is the same. We want to manage our water. We do not let it flow from the river to the sea. Instead, we prepared Pamukkulu Dam, whose construction began in 2017—meaning it took almost seven years to build, with a budget of Rp1.6 trillion. It has a capacity of 82 million cubic meters and an inundation zone of 460 hectares. It is a big dam and used a big budget as well, Rp1.6 trillion. However, the benefits will be huge, especially for the people of Takalar regency. It can be used as raw water for power plants, it can reduce floods, and most importantly, it can be used for irrigation to water rice fields in Takalar regency and its surrounding areas.

That concludes my statement. By saying bismillahirrahmanirrahim, this afternoon I hereby inaugurate Pamukkulu Dam in Takalar regency, South Sulawesi province and Tempe Sengkang Market in Wajo regency, South Sulawesi province.

I thank you.

Wassalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

(DH/MMB)