Indonesian Interior Minister Urges Regional Governments, Leaders to Strengthen Urban Beautification and Environmental Preservation Efforts

Minister of Home Affairs Muhammad Tito Karnavian has urged regional governments and the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda) to strengthen the 'Indonesia Aman, Sehat, Resik, dan Indah' (ASRI) Movement, aimed at creating clean and well-organized urban environments, in line with President Prabowo Subianto's directives. Tito conveyed this call during the 2026 Regional Government Achievement Appreciation event, Batch II, for the Kalimantan region, held in Balikpapan City, East Kalimantan. "He (the President) wants all programs, central and regional, to make cities clean. This means reducing waste, both from the upstream, starting at the household level, and downstream," the Minister stated. Tito explained that waste management needs a comprehensive approach, from its source to its downstream management. One proposed effort is waste-to-energy processing. Furthermore, the President is encouraging waste handling through the 3R concept: reduce, reuse, and recycle. Tito added that these efforts can be reinforced through community-based activities like 'korve' or mutual cooperation, which have been undertaken by various agencies. The Minister emphasized that regional governments hold strategic authority and roles in ensuring the movement yields tangible impacts. He believes that the routine involvement of all levels of regional government can be a significant force in creating a cleaner environment. "If all regional heads, all governors, regents, mayors, all implement the same policies, and all state-owned enterprises (BUMN) implement the same policies, a significant portion will become clean," Tito remarked. Beyond waste issues, President Prabowo also pays attention to the tidiness of urban planning, including the arrangement of promotional media in public spaces. According to Tito, the President has requested that the installation of banners and billboards be conducted more orderly and with attention to aesthetics, similar to practices in developed countries. This includes utilizing videotron as a promotional medium to maintain a neat and beautiful urban landscape. This focus on cleanliness and the environment is reflected in the Regional Government Achievement Appreciation event, which includes a category for 'Waste Management and ASRI Environment.' Tito hopes this category will further encourage regional governments to enhance their waste management quality and create better environments. Finally, Tito mentioned a discussion with the Head of Statistics Indonesia (BPS), Wini, who requested the addition of an economic growth assessment category. "Regional economic growth is also needed, and all regional governments understand how to increase economic growth. Let's learn together," he concluded. Source: CNN Indonesia