Trash is no longer a side issue in Indonesia. It has become a serious threat to Indonesia’s image, especially in tourism. President Prabowo Subianto made this clear when he addressed the growing waste problem, with Bali standing at the center of global attention.
Prabowo said tourism remains one of Indonesia’s strongest sectors. It absorbs large numbers of workers. It also grows faster and at lower cost than many other industries. Yet this strength, he warned, will mean little if waste continues to be ignored. “Indonesia is beautiful. People want to come, then they see slums. They want to go to Bali, Bali’s beaches are dirty,” he said.
His concern is not abstract. Prabowo shared direct feedback from foreign leaders who had recently visited Bali. In a meeting with South Korean officials and generals, he heard blunt assessments about the island’s condition. “They said, ‘Bali so dirty now. Bali not nice.’ I take that as a correction,” he said.
During the same forum, Prabowo showed photos of Bali’s beaches taken in December 2025. The images were filled with trash. For him, they were undeniable proof that the cleanliness problem has reached a worrying stage. “This is a Bali beach. How do tourists want to come here when they see trash?” he said firmly.
Prabowo then called on regional governments to take collective action. He stressed that local administrations hold significant authority, especially over schools and educational institutions. These institutions, he said, should be actively involved in building awareness and discipline around cleanliness from an early age.
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As a concrete move, Prabowo urged broad support for the Indonesia ASRI Movement. ASRI stands for Aman, Sehat, Resik, dan Indah, or a Safe, Healthy, Clean, and Beautiful Indonesia. He highlighted the word “Resik,” explaining that it means clean. This value, he said, must be protected if Indonesia wants to preserve its tourism appeal from trash.
He closed with a clear message. Tourism cannot grow without a clean environment. Cleanliness has become a key factor in how travelers choose destinations, whether they come from within the country or abroad. “One way to create jobs is through tourism. But will tourists come if they see trash?” he said.
