Greenpeace Asks President Jokowi To Safeguard Environment

Jakarta, Oct 28 (Antara) - Greenpeace Indonesia activists asked President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and his `Working Cabinet` to have 100 percent commitment to restoring and safeguarding the environment. "Now is the right momentum for all layers of society, including ministerial officials, to work together in safeguarding and protecting the environment," Greenpeace Indonesia Chief Longgena Ginting said here on Tuesday. On Monday, October 27, Greenpeace Indonesia handed over "100 Percent Indonesia Green" petition signed by 113,595 petitioners to President Jokowi in the premise of the State Palace. The petition was handed over together with a green package as a symbol of environmental issues considered important by the petitioners collected through a polling organized by Greenpeace Indonesia. "In the process of salvaging and protecting the environment, a strong presidential figure who is able to lead, present a vision and exert his influence on national and international scale is needed," he said. He said that his side had been developing a public campaign movement through the `100 Percent Indonesia Green and Peace Movement` which has been hailed by the people. The people`s welcome to the movement is proven by the high number of petitioners taking part. Therefore, this is a momentum for Jokowi to carry out his commitment towards green and peaceful Indonesia. "Indonesia has tropical forests and the widest water areas in the Asia and Pacific region. It has the word`s significant biodiversity wealth," he added. He said that anything happening in Indonesia would affect the environment in the region which is why Indonesia has significant influence on international scale in taking a decision regarding the environment protection. "During their campaigns, Jokowi and Jusuf Kalla have expressed their commitment to protecting Indonesia`s remaining forest and peat land. They promised his commitment to taking active roles in cutting global carbon emission and in reducing climate change," he said.