Activists warn Prabowo’s 100-day focus on economic growth risks environmental sustainability

Jakarta – The first hundred days of President Prabowo Subianto’s leadership have drawn sharp criticism from various parties, especially environmental activists. Firdaus Cahyadi, founder of Indonesian Climate Justice Literacy, called Prabowo’s development policy an act of “ecological suicide” because it prioritises short-term economy without considering long-term environmental impacts.

“The development policy of the current Prabowo administration clearly places environmental interests under short-term economic priorities,” said Firdaus on Friday, January 17.

He added that various statements by the President and his ministers showed partiality to the massive expansion of the food, energy and downstream mineral resources sectors, which could potentially damage the environment.

In his inauguration speech, Prabowo emphasised food and energy self-sufficiency programs as the main pillars of development. However, according to Firdaus, this approach risks compromising local communities’ rights to a healthy environment.

“Food estates, as part of the food self-sufficiency agenda, require large-scale land that threatens natural forests. In addition, this program opens up the potential for agrarian conflict with local communities living around the area,” Firdaus explained.

The biofuel-based energy self-sufficiency program is also in the spotlight. “Biofuel production requires large amounts of land, which can accelerate deforestation and exacerbate climate change impacts,” he added.

Land expansion for food security and energy

The controversy intensified after Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni stated that the government plans to open 20 million hectares of forest reserves to support food and energy security. “This is a very risky move. Such a large area, almost twice the size of Java Island, will sacrifice forest biodiversity and threaten the balance of the ecosystem,” Firdaus said.

The Forestry Minister’s statement came a few days after Prabowo openly supported oil palm expansion at the Development Planning Conference (Musrenbang). Prabowo emphasised that there should be no fear of deforestation issues.

In addition to food and energy, downstream mineral programs such as nickel also received strong criticism. Firdaus said nickel mining activities have caused severe environmental damage, especially in mining areas.

“Communities around the mine face difficulties accessing clean air and water due to the resulting pollution. This clearly shows how poorly managed downstreaming can harm residents,” said Firdaus.

Firdaus emphasised that the public needs to act to stop policies that are considered harmful to the environment. “If we continue to silence policies like this, we will only accelerate environmental destruction, and in the end, it is the people who will be the victims. Collective action is needed to save Indonesia from this road to ecological disaster,” he said. (Hartatik)

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