TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Prabowo Subianto plans to launch a nationwide competition to recognize Indonesia's cleanest cities, offering up to Rp20 billion (around US$1.2 million) in incentives for the top five winners as part of efforts to improve waste management and environmental cleanliness.
Speaking at the mass handover ceremony for 62,000 subsidized housing units in Batang, Central Java, on Thursday, Prabowo said the government would provide financial incentives rather than symbolic awards to encourage local governments to maintain cleaner environments.
"We will hold a competition for the cleanest cities, ranking first, second, third, fourth, and fifth. We will provide incentives. If possible, the five cleanest cities will receive Rp20 billion," Prabowo said during a speech broadcast by the Presidential Secretariat.
He added that cities ranked below the top five could also receive incentives, with the second tier potentially receiving Rp10 billion.
Incentives Instead of Trophies
Prabowo said financial rewards would be more effective than simply giving trophies to local governments that achieve environmental improvements.
He emphasized that all levels of government must share the responsibility of creating cleaner cities, rivers, and waterways.
The President called on governors, regents, mayors, and members of the Indonesian Military (TNI) and National Police to actively monitor environmental conditions on a daily basis.
He urged regional leaders not to work only from their offices but to regularly inspect communities, warn residents and businesses that neglect cleanliness, and take further action against repeated violations.
"If there is a house that is not properly maintained, tell the owner. If a shop does not keep its surroundings clean, warn them. If they are warned repeatedly and still refuse, form a joint team with the prosecutors' office and police," Prabowo said.
Prabowo said waste management is not merely a matter of cleanliness but also reflects the nation's dignity.
He called on communities and institutions, including neighborhood leaders, cooperatives, mosque administrators, civil servants, and state-owned enterprise executives, to work together to regularly clean their surroundings.
According to Prabowo, broad public participation will be key to creating cleaner environments while strengthening discipline and awareness of cleanliness across Indonesia.
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