River Congress not attended by minister

Banjarmasin, S Kalimantan (AntaranewsKalsel) - The opening of the 3rd Indonesian River Congress (KSI), which took place in the former office of South Kalimantan Governor, was canceled to be attended by a number of ministers.

The 3rd KSI, held from 1 to 4 November, which was attended by participants from 32 provinces, was planned to be opened by the Coordinating Ministry of Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Panjaitan on Wednesday.

The opening of the event was instead attended by the Director General of Water Resources of the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing Imam Santoso and Director General of Environmental Pollution Control Ministry of Environment and Forestry MR Karliansyah.

Central Java Governor H. Ganjar Pranowo and South Kalimantan Regional Secretary H. Abdul Haris Makkie and Banjarmasin Mayor H. Ibnu Sina were also present at the opening ceremony.

The absence of central government officials was mentioned by the Governor of Central Java when presented his paper "The Indonesian River Congress, ideas, and experience of implementation in Central Java".

"It does not matter if the event is not attended by the important people, it is our commitment to organize this event," he said.

He also provides motivation that this congress is very important for the nation because the goal is to save the basic human needs of the need for clean water, to be discussed for sustainability.

He appreciated the consistency of holding this event until it could produce a formulation that could save the water source for human life. This continues to be pursued together, for unifying the attitude is not an easy matter.

"The first congress in Central Java was extraordinary enthusiasm, the second congress in East Java more lively, and in the third congress in Banjarmasin consistency of the spirit is stronger," said Ganjar.

According to him, this activity will reap amazing stories like rolling snowballs throughout the nation, to the creation of communities that love the environment and the river with positive and creative actions.

On that basis, he hopes, the central government concern about the unconditional stretch of society contributing energy and thoughts to the sustainability of the river, because this is important for human benefit.

The mayor of Banjarmasin Ibnu Sina proposed the establishment of a river authority body in this river congress.

"Because the river is a common property, there is no boundary between regions, so there must be a declaration that becomes a national issue that the river is the future of Indonesia and the civilization of the world," he said.

The parade of the jukung or traditional boat of floating market merchants, which is the icon of South Kalimantan tourism, was coloring the opening ceremony. In addition, held the release of 10 thousand seeds of catfish into the Martapura River.