Enviro News Asia, Yogyakarta — Indonesia’s Minister of Forestry, Raja Juli Antoni, signed a memorandum of understanding with the Central Board of Muhammadiyah at the Muhammadiyah Headquarters in Yogyakarta on Tuesday (22/07/2025).
Following the signing, Minister Raja Juli Antoni stated that various strategic forestry programs will increasingly be implemented in collaboration with universities across Indonesia, including Muhammadiyah-’Aisyiyah Higher Education Institutions (PTMA).
“The Ministry of Forestry fully recognizes the vital role of Islamic organizations like Muhammadiyah in helping protect our forests,” said Raja Juli Antoni, as quoted in the official statement by the Central Board of Muhammadiyah.
As part of this collaboration, one of the key programs initiated by the Ministry is the provision of Special Purpose Forest Areas (KHDTK), which require active participation from universities.
This includes conducting forestry research and supporting sustainable forest management.
“Muhammadiyah operates numerous universities. The Ministry has already allocated KHDTKs in Bengkulu Province, Central Kalimantan, and Malang Regency. In the future, we hope to see more campuses managing forests for research purposes, while also generating funding for their institutions,” he explained.
Through this inter-institutional collaboration model, the Minister of Forestry expressed confidence that environmental conservation and development can go hand in hand when managed collectively and responsibly.
“The Chairman of Muhammadiyah’s Central Board believes we are moving in the right direction. With proper management, development efforts can improve public welfare while simultaneously preserving Indonesia’s forests and natural ecosystems,” said Raja Juli Antoni. (*)
