PORTALJABAR, DISTRICT. PURWAKARTA - Acting Governor of West Java Bey Machmudin is committed to maximizing the implementation of the Harum Citarum Program which is only 10 months away.

The success of the Citarum Harum Program which was brought to the 10th World Water Forum some time ago did not stop this program.

Bey, who is also the Commander of the Citarum Harum Task Force (Dansatgas), said that for 10 months from now the Citarum Harum Task Force will focus on handling critical land and law enforcement.

"In these 10 months there must be even better results, especially regarding critical land issues and law enforcement," said Bey when met after an audience with the West Java Walhi in Jatiluhur Purwakarta, Tuesday (28/5/2024).

To handle critical land, the Citarum Harum Task Force together with West Java Walhi will go directly to the field as recommended by Walhi.

"We had a meeting earlier, so later we will see the critical land directly with Walhi," said Bey.

For law enforcement, Bey has also received data from Walhi regarding who is still polluting the Citarum River Watershed (DAS). His party will take firm action against anyone who violates the rules.

"We asked the West Java Walhi to give us whichever legal action has not been taken, we will follow up," said Bey.

Bey is optimistic that future conditions in Citarum will continue to improve. According to him, during the six years that the Citarum Harum Program has been running, there have been many positive changes in river conditions. The awareness of the people around the Citarum watershed regarding environmental concerns is also growing after being educated by the Citarum Harum Task Force.

Bey then invited all parties who care about the Citarum environment to continue collaborating, which remains the key to the success of the Citarum Harum Program.

"We listened to input from Walhi West Java and other environmental activists. I think there are no differences in views, everyone has the same enthusiasm to want Citarum to be better, the key is collaboration," said Bey.

In line with Bey, West Java Walhi Executive Director Wahyudin Iwang said that the success of the Harum Citarum Program was a shared responsibility and collaborative work.

"Walhi West Java is in harmony with the Acting Governor on concrete and optimal recovery efforts that can be carried out collaboratively," said Iwang.

West Java Walhi also submitted several proposals to the Citarum Harum Task Force regarding critical land issues and law enforcement which must be maximized within 10 months.

"Walhi's note was conveyed and hopefully it can be accommodated in the form of a policy which will then be able to maximize collaborative work for the next 10 months, especially issues of critical land, law enforcement and waste," said Iwang.