Jakarta (The Indonesian News) – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has stated that the government is ready to significantly increase the number of forest police to 70,000 to strengthen the supervision and protection of forest areas. According to him, the current number of forest police, at only 4,500, will not be able to work optimally to prevent illegal logging and forest burning.
“To guard tens of millions (of hectares), there are only 4,500 forest police. How can they handle illegal logging, how can they handle those who burn forests—we will continue to improve,” Prabowo said at the handover event of the PKH Task Force’s crackdown results at the Attorney General’s Office Building, Jakarta, on Tuesday (October 6).
He explained that this personnel increase will be carried out in stages according to the state budget capacity. Based on preliminary calculations, the number of forest police is projected to reach around 21,000 personnel by 2027.
Thus, Prabowo estimates that the target of 70,000 forest police can be achieved in about three to four years.
“I have proposed the state budget; if I’m not mistaken, an increase of 4,500 forest police to 70,000 forest police,” he said.
However, Prabowo said that strengthening the number of personnel is not only needed for the forestry sector. He highlighted the still-limited number of officers and supporting facilities at a number of strategic points, including ports and airports.
He emphasized that the government understands these limitations and will continue to make improvements in stages.
“We understand these conditions. Therefore, we will continue to pursue and improve them,” he emphasized.
Prabowo is also confident that Indonesia is capable of facing various challenges and strengthening the state’s capacity to safeguard national interests.
“Amid the resistance and challenges we face, believe me, the Republic of Indonesia is strong. Believe that we will prevail, and it will not be long,” he said.
He said that every policy taken by the government will be oriented toward the interests of the Indonesian people and nation. Prabowo asked all ministers and heads of agencies to make the people’s interests the primary consideration in every policy taken.
“If there is a policy we must take, ask: does this policy benefit the nation, benefit the people, especially the common people?” Prabowo concluded.
Source: Press Release of the Government Communication Agency (Bakom) of the Republic of Indonesia
