TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Pandjaitan responded to the deforestation issue that had been in the world’s limelight during his speech in a workshop themed Accelerating Partnerships and Actions for Forest, which was a sideline event of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland.

“We are really open, but don’t dictate us,” said Luhut in a written statement, Friday, January 25.

Luhut made the statement before dozens of international participants, including the 45th vice president of the United States, Albert Arnold Gore Jr., Colombian President Ivan Duque Marquez, and the United Nation’s assistant to secretary-general for Environment, Satya Tripathi.

The Indonesian government, according to Luhut, is open to partnerships and suggestions. However, he stressed, it was against any party willing to dictate Indonesia.

“The Indonesian government is ready to discuss the matter with UNEP, the World Bank, and the community of World Economic Forum to seek what we can do together,” Luhut added.

Luhut further opined that the government was cognizant of the deforestation issue, “and we swiftly make moves. President Jokowi has announced a moratorium on palm oil.”

Luhut said the key to tackling the issue was finding a balance to achieve natural preservation, people’s prosperity, national food security, and consistent application of the law.

MUHAMMAD HENDARTYO