JAKARTA – President Prabowo Subianto reiterated the government’s commitment to taking firm action against illegal logging practices that continue to occur in several areas of Sumatra.
The President made this statement after visiting evacuation sites for disaster victims in North Sumatra.
In his statement to the media, Prabowo stated that the government has begun to enforce regulations on illegal logging activities, which are suspected of exacerbating the impact of flooding in several areas of Sumatra.
“I want all illegal logging activities to stop. Regulatory measures have already begun,” Prabowo said.
In addition to law enforcement, the President emphasized the importance of collective awareness in preserving the environment.
He warned that environmental destruction, especially uncontrolled logging, must no longer occur.
“We are obliged to care for our environment and nature. Uncontrolled logging must no longer occur,” he emphasized.
Prabowo also acknowledged that natural obstacles prevented disaster management from fully proceeding as expected.
Nevertheless, he ensured that the condition of the evacuees was being closely monitored, including in hard-to-reach areas.
“I have checked directly. Services for the evacuees are running well, food needs are met, and their condition is relatively safe,” Prabowo concluded.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Indonesian National Agency for Disaster Management (DePA-RI), TM Luthfi Yazid, assessed that the disaster response, including law enforcement against environmental damage, still needs to be accelerated.
He emphasized that the government must take an uncompromising stance against perpetrators of environmental crimes.
“This disaster is not solely a natural factor, but the result of greed and environmental damage that has been allowed to continue for years,” he said.
Meanwhile, Riyono, a member of Commission IV of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), stated that the DPR has formed a Working Committee (Panja) on Land Conversion to investigate the causes of flash floods and landslides in three provinces in Sumatra.
He emphasized that Commission IV has asked the government to stop all logging activities, both legal and illegal.
“Commission IV firmly told the Minister: stop all logging, both legal and illegal,” Riyono said.
Riyono added that the House of Representatives (DPR) will not hesitate to take action against anyone proven responsible for forest destruction.
“Commission IV will not discriminate, whether they have a 1-star, 2-star, 3-star, or even 4-star rating. All those proven guilty must be dealt with firmly,” he said.***