Novita Hardini, a member of Commission VII of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), assessed that the shift in land priorities from industry and other strategic sectors to oil palm plantations could threaten sovereignty, ecological sustainability, and future industrial opportunities.
If all land is prioritized for palm oil, he said, Indonesia will lose space for new industrial innovation.
"We must strike a balance: keep the economy moving, but still protect the environment and the future of our generation," Novita said in a written statement received .
Given the challenges of spatial planning, energy needs, and global climate change, he believes that green technology innovation is the most rational way to move Indonesia towards a highly competitive economy without damaging the environment.
"The industry must transform. We can no longer rely on raw natural resources. We must create added value with high technology and clean energy," he said.
According to him, the direction of national industrial development must take a big leap towards environmentally friendly technology and raw material independence.
He stated that Indonesia must no longer rely on an industrialization model that relies on fossil fuels and the exploitation of raw natural resources. He believes that gasoline-free electric vehicle technology is not just a global trend but must become a national necessity.
"We must invest in future industries that are cleaner, more efficient, and less environmentally damaging," he said.
He also emphasized the importance of building a domestic raw material supply chain that meets sustainability standards. Without it, he argued, Indonesian industry would remain trapped in a dependency on imports and vulnerable to supply crises.
"We must prepare domestic raw material suppliers. The standards must be green, sustainable, and not repeat past mistakes. Otherwise, our technological innovation will be half-hearted," he said.
To that end, he urged the national strategy to consider a future roadmap that is both business-safe and environmentally friendly. He argued that today's strategic decisions will determine the environment for future generations, so industry must begin to seriously consider ecological impacts.
