Attending Water Congress In Beijing, Minister Basuki Raises Subak Irrigation System In Bali

Ministry of PUPR Basuki Hadimuljono in the 18th World Water Congress in Beijing, China. Photo: Doc. Ministry of PUPR

JAKARTA - Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Basuki Hadimuljono appointed Subak Bali as a community self-help system that functions to regulate the distribution of irrigation water in rice fields fairly and evenly, in the 18th World Water Congress in Beijing, China.

With the Subak system, Bali will be the right place for the 10th World Water Forum (WWF) in 2024 in accordance with the theme Air for Joint Welfare (Water for Shared Prosperity).

"The Subak system practiced by Indonesia is closely related to the big topic 'Water for All: Harmony Between Human and Nature which was appointed in the 18th World Water Congress'," Minister Basuki said in a written statement, on Wednesday, September 13.

Minister Basuki said that this Subak system is a manifestation of an inseparable close relationship between God, man, and nature in producing food and other necessities. Subak reflects the philosophical concept of Tri Hita Karana, which unites the soul, human world, and nature/environment.

"Subak is a Balinese irrigation system as a manifestation of the cultural law order with the characteristics, namely social independence, food security, and religious strength with the determination and spirit of mutual cooperation to obtain water to produce food, especially rice and nutmeg," he said.

According to Basuki, the Subak irrigation system will be one of the destinations for field visits in the 10th WWF in Bali. Currently, the Subak system and landscape have been recognized as one of the World Cultural Heritages of UNESCO.

He also reminded that on October 12-13, 2023, the 2nd Stakeholder Consultation Meeting in Bali will be held as part of the preparation and series of the 10th World Water Forum in Bali in 2024, and so that guests who were present at that time also came to Bali.

"By combining political, regional, thematic, and agenda processes for field visits (site visits), it will strengthen and become the attraction of the 10th World Water Forum. Bali has also been famous and has become a legendary place for tourists for decades," he concluded.