Highlighting Waste Issues and Forest Fires, DPD RI Committee II Emphasizes Consistent Law Enforcement

09 September 2026 oleh admin

JAKARTA, dpd.go.id – Committee II of the House of Regional Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia (DPD RI) delivered strategic notes regarding the increased budget allocation for the Ministry of Environment and Environmental Control Agency (KLH/BPLH) for the 2027 fiscal year. Consequently, the success of environmental programs must no longer be measured solely by high budget absorption rates, but rather by real impacts on reducing water and air pollution levels and ecosystem restoration.

"A large budget must be directly translated into improvements in water and air quality, reductions in pollution and waste generation, ecosystem protection, and enhanced community resilience against climate change," said Chairperson of DPD RI Committee II Badikenita BR Sitepu during a Working Meeting with Minister of Environment Mohammad Jumhur Hidayat at the DPD RI Building, Jakarta, on Tuesday (September 8, 2026).

Badikenita also highlighted waste management as an ongoing structural challenge in various regions. This persists because management patterns generally still rely on conventional schemes: collect, transport, and dump. "Therefore, a shift toward a more effective and sustainable approach is needed through waste reduction directly at the source, alongside strengthening sorting and processing systems," she explained.

In addition to waste issues, she added, community empowerment and the development of environmental economic instruments such as Payment for Ecosystem Services (PJLH) must be directed toward creating tangible economic benefits for residents while preserving ecosystem sustainability. "Thus, environmental programs must not stop at physical infrastructure provision or the achievement of scheme targets alone. They must ensure the presence of strong institutional frameworks," she added.

On the other hand, strengthening law enforcement and environmental recovery is also deemed crucial. Moving toward a "solution-oriented regime" must still be accompanied by consistent oversight and legal enforcement. "Sanctions against environmental violations must effectively drive compliance while ensuring remediation of the damage caused, supported by robust supervision," said the senator from North Sumatra.

Most importantly, she continued, strengthening climate resilience and cross-sectoral coordination are equally essential. According to her, the rising risks of forest and land fires (karhutla), droughts, and various climate change impacts demand a shift from reactive approaches toward prevention and regional resilience strengthening. "These efforts must be supported by stronger coordination between KLH/BPLH, relevant ministries/agencies, local governments, the business sector, and the public," Badikenita advised.

DPD RI Member from North Kalimantan Province Marthin Billa added that the government must synergize with local communities regarding forest and land fires, as communities act as the first line of defense. "We must synergize with local residents, because they are the first line of defense. Therefore, this defense must be safeguarded and reinforced so that karhutla incidents do not recur every year," he stated.

Minister of Environment / Head of BPLH Mohammad Jumhur Hidayat presented several proposed strategic activities under the Additional Budget framework for the 2027 Fiscal Year. His ministry will focus on management support programs, environmental quality improvement, as well as disaster resilience and climate change adaptation.

"For the environmental quality and disaster resilience/climate change program, we are committed to strengthening environmental protection services as well as post-disaster reconstruction in Sumatra. We will also take firm steps in land fire control and environmental law enforcement," he stated.