Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Prabowo Subianto has called for waging a war on waste through a national movement for a cleaner, greener, and beautiful Indonesia.
"We must fight against waste! We must make every village, sub-district, and district clean, green, beautiful," he said at the launch of the Indonesian Planting Movement in Ogan Ilir, Palembang, South Sumatra, on Wednesday.
The President emphasized the need to start with simple activities that have big impacts, such as cleaning the surroundings and protecting the environment in villages across Indonesia.
He also asked universities to devise innovations that can improve the environment and people's housing.
"Later, we will think about how to do it; we will create the Asri Indonesia Movement. In addition to planting, we must change the face of Indonesia," he said.
According to Prabowo, the Asri Indonesia Movement will complement the government's major push for food security, village transformation, and sustainable development.
He said he hopes that the spirit of mutual cooperation in protecting the environment can become the new face of a strong and dignified nation.
According to data from the Ministry of Environment, Indonesia generated 69.9 million tons of waste in 2023, with food waste accounting for the largest share at 41.6 percent, followed by plastic, wood, paper, and metal.
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Translator: Andi Firdaus, Yashinta Difa
Editor: Azis Kurmala
