Fika Nurul Ulya, Ardito Ramadhan, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto has stated that Indonesia needs to increase palm oil plantations without fear of being accused of endangering forests and causing deforestation.
Prabowo is of the view accusations that palm oil plantations cause deforestation are false because, according to Prabowo, palm oil trees also absorb carbon dioxide.
"I think that in the future, we must increase palm oil plantations. There's no need to be afraid of what's said to be harmful or deforestation. Palm oil is a tree, right?", Prabowo said at the National Development Planning Conference at the National Development Planning Board (Bappenas) building in the Menteng area of Central Jakarta on Monday December 30
"It's true isn't it? Oil palms are trees, they have leaves right? They absorb carbon dioxide, where do they get it from these people accusing us of not understanding", he said.
Prabowo stated that many countries have expectations of Indonesia and depend on this resource-rich country, including for palm oil. He claimed to have experienced this during a working visit abroad.
"Many countries place too much hope in Indonesia, and I'm terrified. They especially need our palm oil. It turns out palm oil is a strategic commodity, many countries are afraid of not being able to get palm oil", he said.
Therefore, Prabowo also advised regional heads and members of the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the National Police (Polri) to safeguard palm oil plantations in Indonesia.
This is because many countries need palm oil, which is a strategic commodity, even though Indonesia has been sued at the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
"So, look after it regents, governors, military personnel, police officers, safeguard our palm oil plantations. They're a state assets", said Prabowo.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Prabowo Ingin Indonesia Tambah Lahan Sawit: Enggak Usah Takut Deforestasi".]
