Indonesia Recovers 6.2 Million Hectares of Forest Area Worth Rp400 Trillion

The Forest Area Enforcement Task Force has recovered more than 6.2 million hectares of forest area worth nearly Rp400 trillion. 

According to President Prabowo Subianto, asset recovery marks considerable progress in safeguarding national resources for the greatest benefit of the people. 

“The Forest Area Enforcement Task Force has recovered more than 6.2 million hectares. More than 6.2 million hectares. If you had not saved it, we would have lost six million [hectares], whose value amounts to nearly Rp400 trillion,” he said in his remarks at the Attorney General’s Office Complex in Jakarta, Tuesday (10/06).

The President stated that the value of recovered national resources can provide tangible benefits to the people when managed optimally, adding that Rp400 trillion can be used for poverty eradication, housing development, school and healthcare facility rehabilitation, and others. 

“With Rp400 trillion, we can eradicate poverty, build thousands of houses for the people, and repair thousands of schools,” he said, adding that the Government has repaired 70,000 schools with a budget of around Rp90 trillion.

The President pointed out that the value of the recovered resources can boost the Government’s capability to enhance the quality of various public facilities, including schools and community health centers across the country. 

On that occasion, the Head of State also highlighted the Government’s success in cracking down on illegal mines and its efforts to eliminate tin smuggling practices on the island of Bangka, which impacts the performance of state-owned tin mining enterprise PT Timah.

“On Bangka island, we have mitigated tin smuggling. We have eliminated it, but some still got away, although we have enforced the regulations firmly. PT Timah, which has suffered losses all this time, saw its profits skyrocket by 900 percent in a year,” he said. 

The President pointed out that the achievements were made possible by the hard work of the Forest Area Enforcement Task Force and other state institutions, while highlighting the role of the Directorate General of Customs and Excise in uncovering smuggling operations worth trillions of rupiah and that of the National Narcotics Agency in dismantling narcotics networks.

President Prabowo also emphasized that the Government will continue to improve and enforce compliance with laws and regulations. He urged state-owned enterprises to strengthen their governance and eliminate practices that cause state losses. 

“Those who refuse to clean up, it is only a matter of time because we will not stop, and we will not hesitate,” he said. 

According to the President, regaining control over millions of hectares of forest areas and enforcing measures against illegal mines concerns not only recovering current state assets but also safeguarding national resources for future generations.

“We will have funds to increase the salaries of teachers, civil servants, judges, prosecutors, and police officers. We will have money to help the hungry. We will have money to build houses. We will have money to fix irrigation. We will have money to fight forest fires,” he said. 

The President also pointed out that the Forest Area Enforcement Task Force has made great contributions to the country for the past two years by recovering Rp52 trillion. For this reason, the President ordered the Head of the Task Force to reward the personnel who showed great performance and achievements. 

“I want the high-achieving personnel to get a promotion. They must be promoted. They must receive a decoration. That is how a state is governed. We catch and chase thieves and promote the good ones,” he remarked. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (DH/MMB)