Prabowo: Population Explosion May Beset Indonesia

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto highlighted issues on the threat of population explosion and climate change in Indonesia during a dialogue with seven communities in the health sector. According to Prabowo, the threat of population explosion could not be seen as a common problem.

“It is clear that an addition of 3 million new Indonesians per year will beset our hospitals, health community, and our country,” said Prabowo Thursday in Bidakara Hotel, South Jakarta, adding that the government must concern about the matter before it turns into a crisis.

Gerindra Party patron chief further touched on a global issue, the climate change, by quoting the United Nations' data that estimated sea level increased by some 10 centimeters every year. Even, he added, other predictions said that the sea level rose to 25 centimeters per year.

“In ten years, the increase will be two and a half meters. And it’s estimated that Jakarta will sink until HI Roundabout,” Prabowo remarked.

If the raise is higher than that, Prabowo continued, the North Coast of Java will be affected. Therefore, the country’s leaders must think of issues concerning the future of millions of Indonesian young generation.

“We have to think about the next twenty years. This requires discussion with all parties,” Prabowo Subianto noted.

Seven communities in the dialogue session were Indonesian Medical Association (IDI), the Indonesian Dental Association (PDGI), the Indonesian Midwives Association (IBI), the Indonesian National Nurse Association (PPNI), the Indonesian Pharmacists Association (IAI), the Indonesian Public Health Association (IAKMI), and the Indonesian Nutrition Association (Persagi).

BUDIARTI UTAMI PUTRI