Jakarta, Indonesia – Indonesian officials have issued a directive to cease the progress of a tourism venture associated with U.S. President Donald Trump due to concerns regarding water management and environmental impacts, it was announced on Friday. The 3,000-hectare project, spearheaded by Trump’s business partner in Indonesia, billionaire and politician Hary Tanoesoedibjo, faced criticism over its development plans.
Tanoesoedibjo, who partnered with Trump’s organization in 2014 to establish high-end resorts in Bali and near Jakarta, envisioned a multi-billion dollar initiative encompassing hotels, golf courses, and country clubs. Despite receiving special economic zone status in 2023 from then-President Joko Widodo, the project encountered setbacks related to environmental regulations and conservation efforts.
The project, known as Lido City, situated in the Gunung Gede Pangrango region, faced scrutiny for its impact on the local ecosystem, particularly Lido Lake, which experienced sedimentation issues leading to a drastic reduction in its size. The Indonesian Environment Ministry highlighted concerns over the mismanagement of rainwater at the resort, emphasizing the need to align development plans with environmental preservation.
Conservationists raised alarms about the potential threats posed to endangered species residing in the surrounding area, such as the Javan slow loris and Javan leopard. The lush biodiversity of Gunung Gede Pangrango, one of Java’s last remaining tropical forests, underscored the need for responsible development practices to safeguard the region’s unique flora and fauna.
As investigations into the environmental violations continue, the future of the Trump-affiliated project remains uncertain, reflecting a growing emphasis on sustainable development and ecological preservation in Indonesia.
Rescued from the illegal wildlife trade are the rare silvery gibbons, a species known for their lifelong monogamy and distinctive small, intense faces. With their population dwindling to fewer than 4,000 in the wild, these gibbons are facing a critical threat to their survival.
PT MNC Land President Director, Budi Rustanto, has refuted claims that his company’s project is solely responsible for the sedimentation in Lido Lake. He pointed out that sedimentation is also contributed by other projects, offices, housing, and buildings in the surrounding area, including a government office compound and existing community settlements. According to Rustanto, his property firm has adhered to the criteria and prerequisites related to the environmental impact analysis, known as AMDAL.
“Since 2013, we have consistently worked to address the issue of lake shallowing, as 50% of the lake area falls within our development zone,” Rustanto stated in an interview with Kompas news outlet. He assured that ongoing efforts, including plans for dredging, are being implemented to combat the problem of lake shallowing.
Environmentalists have lauded the government’s intervention as a decisive step towards rectifying the oversight in project management that failed to consider the environmental impact near the designated Special Economic Zone. Meizani Irmadhiany, the Executive Chair of Konservasi Indonesia, emphasized the significance of the Lido area as a crucial watershed of the Cimandiri river and an integral part of the Gunung Gede Pangrango National Park landscape, benefiting not just the locals of West Java but also the residents of Jakarta.
“The slope contours play a vital role as a major water catchment area, and the proposed project site sits on critical land,” Irmadhiany remarked. “It is imperative for the corporate sector to prioritize environmental principles that directly affect the environment and communities, as well as the sustainability of their businesses, both pre and post-development.”
