Enviro News Asia, Jakarta — Deputy Minister of Environment and Deputy Head of the Environmental Management Agency (KLH/BPLH), Diaz Hendropriyono, emphasized the importance of integrating science into the process of formulating national environmental policies.
He delivered this message at the event titled “Exhibition and Tribute to Prof. Emil Salim”, organized by the School of Environmental Science, Universitas Indonesia (SIL UI), at Soehanna Hall, Jakarta.
The event was part of the celebration of SIL UI’s 9th Anniversary and served as a tribute to Prof. Emil Salim, the founder of SIL UI and a pioneer of the environmental movement in Indonesia.
In his speech, Deputy Minister Diaz expressed deep appreciation for Prof. Emil Salim’s contributions to environmental policy in Indonesia.
“In my opinion, Prof. Emil Salim has made significant contributions to the environment. He initiated Law No. 4 of 1982 on the Basic Provisions for Environmental Management, pioneered the Environmental Impact Analysis (AMDAL), and launched the Clean River Program (Prokasih) in collaboration with local governments,” said Deputy Minister Diaz in his official statement.
“He also initiated PROPER (Company Performance Rating Program in Environmental Management), established environmental study centers in various universities including UI, and persuaded President Soeharto to form the Ministry of Environment in 1978,” he added.
Deputy Minister Diaz further emphasized that the spirit of sustainable development championed by Prof. Emil Salim is now a fundamental principle in the Ministry of Environment’s work.
He underlined the importance of scientific support in shaping public policy, especially in facing increasingly complex environmental challenges.
“We urgently need input from academic institutions so that policies can be evidence-based and scientific-based, serving as a foundation to balance political pressures in decision-making,” he stressed.
One of the main concerns raised was the waste crisis, with Deputy Minister Diaz stating that Indonesia is currently in a state of emergency regarding waste management.
“One ton of waste can generate greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to around 1.7 tons of CO₂-equivalent (CO₂e). This is alarming, especially considering that Jakarta alone produces 7,500 tons of waste per day,” he noted.
The event was also attended by Prof. Dr. Ir. Heri Hermansyah, Rector of Universitas Indonesia; Prof. Dr. Drs. Jatna Supriatna, Director of SIL UI; and Luky Agung Yusgiantoro, Secretary of the Special Task Force for Upstream Oil and Gas Business Activities (SKK Migas).
In his remarks, Rector Heri highlighted the importance of continuing the intellectual legacy of Prof. Emil Salim.
“SIL UI, as the product of Prof. Emil Salim’s ideas and legacy, must be seen as something that continues. Good initiatives should be carried on,” said Prof. Heri.
Meanwhile, Prof. Supriatna shared SIL UI’s achievements as a leading research institution in the field of environmental science.
“In the QS Award by Subject 2025, SIL UI ranked first in Indonesia in environmental science,” Prof. Supriatna revealed.
Concluding the series of speeches, Luky Agung Yusgiantoro emphasized the need to translate Prof. Emil Salim’s ideas into real actions by the younger generation.
“As a tribute to his thoughts, we must continue them with concrete action and prepare young people with a sustainability mindset,” he said.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of an award to Prof. Emil Salim, received on his behalf by his children, Roosdinal Salim and Amelia Salim, along with Prof. Jatna Supriatna, who was honored as a Distinguished Professor of SIL UI. (*)
