VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan admitted he received many offers of assistance from the World Bank during his visit to Washington DC, United States, earlier this week.

However, from the many offers he received, Luhut admitted that he only asked the World Bank to help Indonesia in the mangrove rehabilitation program, which will be implemented on 600 thousand hectares of land in the next four years.

"The World Bank offers a lot of assistance, but I say we are sufficient. They said, 'We prepare a budget for vaccines', I said we are sufficient. Until they ask what can be helped, I said,' You can help us in the mangroves. We have a 600 thousand hectare replanting program and it is the largest mangrove replanting program in the world," he explained in a webinar held by UGM in Jakarta, Tuesday.

Other than showing interest in the mangrove program, Luhut said that the World Bank also wanted to take part in coral reef rehabilitation programs. However, Luhut firmly reminded that these programs were made for the future of the Indonesian generation.

"So we are not just to please you. So you don't have to serve them, okay? The first (to pay attention) is the next generation. I think the message is very clear," he said when telling the results of his meeting with the World Bank.

He also said that the world does not need to lecture Indonesia on environmental issues as if Indonesia is considered an undisciplined country or does not pay attention to environmental problems.

"So I said, you don't have to lecture us on environmental issues. Because I gave an example, in 2015 I handled forest fires, there were 2 million ha burned. But America burned 4 million ha, Australia 6 million ha, and you guys I never make a fuss. So diplomacy is straight forward (firm) but with a humble tone (humble tone)," concluded Luhut. (Antaranews)