Soroti Banjir Aceh dan Sumut, Megawati: Jangan Korbankan Rakyat Demi Logika Kapitalisme Eksploitatif 

JAKARTA - The General Chair of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) Megawati Soekarnoputri criticized the national development policy in her political speech at the opening of the National Working Meeting (Rakernas) I and the 53rd anniversary of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle. Many regulations are said to pamper large concessions, thus triggering massive ecological disasters in the country.

"Laws and regulations that give a red carpet to large concessions have paved the way for deforestation, land grabbing, and the destruction of ecosystems," Megawati said at an event held at the Beach City International Stadium, Ancol, North Jakarta, Saturday, January 10.

Megawati said the massive opening of forests for monoculture crops had eliminated the ability of nature to absorb water. This condition makes the people downstream finally affected by elite policies.

Megawati emphasized that the PDI Perjuangan rejects a development model that only pursues growth but ignores ecological justice.

He recalled Proclaimer Bung Karno's message in 1946 about the vital existence of forests for the life of the nation. For him, the current practice of exploitation is a form of regression for human and national values.

This criticism is also an instruction for all PDI Perjuangan cadres, especially those in the executive and legislative, to dare to speak out for ecological truth and fight against policies that damage the earth.

Closing the discussion related to environmental issues, Megawati emphasized that the legitimacy of a political party is not measured by the number of seats of power.

"In the name of development, the people are removed and nature is sacrificed. This is not development, but development without justice and without civilization," said the 5th President of the Republic of Indonesia.