REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) appreciated Republika's move that presented an initiative to combine healthy movement through sports while preserving the environment by glorifying water as a source of life. Republika officially launched the ESG Now Movement through the kick-off event, Climate Run on Sunday (September 28, 2025) morning.
“I appreciate the Republika friends who have presented this excellent initiative by combining healthy movement through sport, as well as environmental health through activities that glorify water as a source of life,” AHY said after participating in ESG Now Movement: Climate Run, Republika, Sunday (28/9/2025).
According to AHY, Indonesia is facing environmental degradation that must be prevented, mitigated, and remedied. Therefore, he considers that ESG-based environmental movements and climate action need to be coordinated with the community, the media, and the government.
“Indonesia itself continues to face degradation that we must prevent, mitigate and improve its water conditions. So in my opinion, this kind of ESG movement, this kind of climate action, from the community that collaborates with the Republic, the media, and also the government, is something that we have to manage together,” he said.
He stressed that economic development and environmental protection should not be at odds with each other, they must be balanced. “When our budgets are limited, governments always have fiscal constraints: do we prioritize economic growth or protect the environment? Of course we can't choose one. It is impossible for us to preserve nature, but its people are hungry,” he explained.
AHY added that development strategies should be on the side of economic growth as well as environmental sustainability. Because of this, green initiatives, green economies, green technologies and green infrastructure have become very important.
“It cannot be that we simply pursue economic growth and well-being, but the environment is neglected, undermined, or exploited. So it is best to combine in strategies and policies that favor economic growth, but also environmental sustainability,” he said.
AHY also highlighted Indonesia's three main challenges related to water. First, the lack of water in the dry season. Secondly, excess water in the rainy season is extreme. Third, pollution that makes water dirty and unfit for consumption.
“This dirty water cannot be consumed because it is polluted with sewage, pollution, and so on. So I think our task today is how to maintain water adequacy for communities, both households and industries,” AHY said.
He insists that the provision of raw water through dams and irrigation is necessary to support food security. At the same time, flooding and rob should be controlled through river normalization, construction of retention ponds, seepage areas, and green open spaces.
AHY also stressed the importance of public education so that the river is no longer used as a garbage dump. According to him, the Republika has a strategic role in building public awareness.
“Education is important. The Republic also has a great role to educate and socialize this so that it becomes a common movement,” AHY stressed.
He closed with optimism that a clean river could bring huge benefits to the economy and tourism. “Even in developed countries, small rivers can be attractive attractions for tourism, sports and encouraging creative economies around them,” AHY said.
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