Enviro News Asia, Jakarta — Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni, together with the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia (DPR-RI), discussed various forestry issues and policy directions in a Working Meeting with Commission IV of the DPR-RI in Jakarta on Tuesday (July 8, 2025). The meeting also covered the Ministry of Forestry’s Work Plan and Budget.
In his presentation, Minister Raja Juli Antoni explained that the theme for forestry development in 2026 is: “Actualizing Forests for Food, Energy, Water Resources, and Downstream Forestry Products to Support Regional Growth.” This aligns with the National Development Theme for 2026: “Food and Energy Sovereignty, and a Productive and Inclusive Economy.”
Out of an indicative budget ceiling of IDR 4.93 trillion, there is a proposed community-based budget of IDR 372 billion aimed at enhancing community participation in forestry development in 2026.
This allocation includes forest rehabilitation, community nurseries, support for productive economic enterprises, development of forest farmer groups, and community involvement in forest fire prevention.
The Ministry also proposed an additional budget of IDR 2.29 trillion to support forest management strengthening, ecosystem restoration, service digitalization and implementation of the One Map Policy, forest area enforcement, and fulfillment of staffing expenditure needs.
Minister Antoni also emphasized five key policy directions and strategies for 2026, grounded in the principles of transparency, equity, and sustainability: Protection of forests as the lungs of the earth and water regulators, equitable forest tenure, utilization of forests for food and energy security, implementation of the One Map Policy, and digitalization of forestry services as a form of modernized forest governance.
“All strategic steps and work programs are aimed at maintaining the ecological functions of forests, enhancing economic benefits, and preserving their social roles for surrounding communities,” stated the Minister in an official release.
On the same occasion, the meeting’s chair and Deputy Chairman of Commission IV of the DPR-RI, Alex Indra Lukman, emphasized that Commission IV requested the Ministry of Forestry to use the President’s Asta Cita (Eight Development Goals) as the foundation for formulating the 2026 programs and budget. (*)
