TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President-elect Prabowo Subianto commented on the forest city concept for the Nusantara Capital City or IKN in Penajam Paser Utara, East Kalimantan, assessing that the state should anticipate the potential of forest fires.

“As we want the forest city concept, [we must anticipate] huge forest problems,” he said during the first plenary cabinet meeting in the IKN, monitored from the Presidential Secretariat YouTube on Tuesday, August 13, 2024.

The Defense Minister urged the IKN Authority to develop a comprehensive strategy to address this risk. He also mentioned that advanced technology and increased firefighting personnel with routine monitoring are needed to face the worst possibility.

“We also have to help BNPB (National Disaster Mitigation Agency) [to prevent fires],” he added.

Prabowo thus expressed gratitude for additional large reservoirs in the new capital area.

President Joko Widodo or Jokowi has stated that the IKN is a smart city with 70% forest cover and 80% green areas. The IKN Authority also prioritizes green energy and sustainable infrastructure in various sectors, including transportation, technology, education, energy, finance, tourism, health, and housing.

Meanwhile, Greenpeace Indonesia Campaigner Rio Rompas criticized the forest city concept, labeling it a "cosplay". He argued that the government’s claims of a 70% green area are misleading, as many of these areas are artificial forests.

Rio expressed concerns about the destruction of natural forests, which are crucial for sequestration and biodiversity.

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