RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Environmental organizations, community groups, and non‑governmental organizations (NGOs) are considered to play a crucial role in providing ideas, field data, and monitoring public policy to preserve the environment and oversee sustainable development goals.

Minister of Environment and Head of the Environmental Monitoring Agency, Moh Jumhur Hidayat, said the government is open to collaboration with civil society groups that can provide input for policy.

“Collaborating with civil society movements on environmental issues is crucial because they provide brilliant ideas and facts,” Hidayat said at the event, Inspiration from Prof. Dr. Emil Salim’s Journey of National Service and Work in Jakarta on Monday, June 8, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

He added that the government welcomes criticism and suggestions from environmental organizations. Input from civil society is seen as essential to strengthening policies that support environmental sustainability.

Indonesian environmental figure Prof. Emil Salim also acknowledged the role of civil society. On the same occasion, he emphasized the importance of embracing all elements of society that have actively championed environmental issues, including local communities, community leaders, religious organizations, and NGOs.

Emil said these groups are not merely affected by environmental policies but are part of the environmental management ecosystem itself. Therefore, they should be involved as strategic partners in decision‑making.

“Please embrace all these communities. Involve the Ulema Council (MUI), as well as all community leaders and NGOs,” Emil said.

The Ministry of Environment continues to enforce environmental laws. So far, it has sanctioned more than 3,000 companies for violating environmental regulations.

In addition, 447 regency and city administrations have received administrative sanctions for failing to fulfill their environmental management obligations.

For civil society movements, these enforcement measures are crucial to ensuring that the commitment to sustainable development extends beyond policy and is realized through concrete actions and accountability.

Collaboration between the government and civil society is seen as key to addressing increasingly complex environmental challenges. Combining state policy, public oversight, and community‑based knowledge is expected to make efforts to maintain environmental sustainability more effective and inclusive. ***