RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indoneisa's Ministry of Forestry and the Indonesian Quarantine Agency (Barantin) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen the monitoring of invasive species. This effort is a strategic step to boost biodiversity protection and enhance the monitoring of pest organisms.

The Minister of Forestry, Raja Juli Antoni, in his speech emphasized that this cooperation is a tangible manifestation of the government's commitment to breaking down sectoral barriers between institutions.

"With this meeting, the walls of sectoral egoism that have long stood firm between ministries must be torn down." Let's start working in a collaborative and coordinated manner to secure Indonesia together, to secure our biodiversity, and to secure our national wealth," Raja Antoni said in Jakarta, Tuesday, May 5, 2026.

He also highlighted the importance of monitoring plant pests and invasive species that can threaten ecosystems, including wildlife habitats in Indonesia. "There are many invasive plants that can threaten our wildlife habitats, we must protect them together," the Minister conveyed.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Indonesian Quarantine Agency, Abdul Kadir Karding, in his presentation affirmed that this collaboration is very important in strengthening Indonesia's biological resource protection system against cross-border threats.

"That the cooperation between Barantin and the Ministry of Forestry is a strategic step in strengthening the quarantine and monitoring system against the illegal movement of plants and wildlife," he stated.

Through this MoU, both parties agree to strengthen data and information exchange and enhance monitoring coordination at entry points such as ports and airports. The cooperation also includes the development of joint operational measures, including the implementation of pilot projects in areas with high levels of illegal TSL circulation.