Prabowo's Brother-Linked Foundation Builds Orangutan Sanctuary in Indonesia's New Capital
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JAKARTA, investortrust.id – A conservation effort led by a foundation linked to the brother of Indonesia's president has broken ground on a dedicated sanctuary for endangered orangutans in East Kalimantan, as part of the country’s broader environmental commitment during the development of its future capital.
The project, launched by the Nusantara Capital Authority alongside the Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry and the Arsari Djojohadikusumo Foundation, began construction on Pulau Kelawasan, a 14-hectare island in Balikpapan Bay. The foundation is chaired by Hashim Djojohadikusumo, younger brother of President Prabowo Subianto.
The island will be developed as a long-term refuge for dominant male orangutans that cannot be reintroduced into the wild due to age or behavioral constraints. The initiative reflects a growing integration of ecological sustainability into Indonesia’s capital relocation project.
“We are deeply grateful to the Arsari Djojohadikusumo Foundation for their environmental contributions. We hope this collaboration will continue to thrive,” said Basuki Hadimuljono, Head of the Nusantara Capital Authority, in a written statement on Thursday, April 10, 2025.
Chairman of the Arsari Djojohadikusumo Foundation, Hashim Djojohadikusumo (fourth from right), and Head of the Nusantara Capital Authority, Basuki Hadimuljono (fourth from left), visit the Arsari Orangutan Sanctuary (PSO Arsari) in Penajam Paser Utara, East Kalimantan, on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. Photo: Nusantara Capital Authority
Kelawasan Island, located within the boundaries of the new capital region known as Ibu Kota Nusantara (IKN), features a rich and diverse ecosystem. According to Basuki, the sanctuary will serve as a sustainable, secure, and educational environment, particularly suited to older male orangutans, recognizable by their wide cheek pads.
Hashim Djojohadikusumo explained that the sanctuary was designed for orangutans too old or unable to survive in the wild, due to difficulty in foraging or integrating with wild populations. “Many adult orangutans would not survive if released. That’s why we chose Pulau Kelawasan—a peaceful, open natural space for them,” Hashim stated.
Facilities under construction include shelters, daily feeding platforms, drinking pools, and “feeding plus” zones where animals can receive health checkups. These infrastructures are designed to mimic the orangutans’ natural habitat and encourage instinctive behaviors.
Arsari Group, the parent organization of the foundation, holds a broad portfolio of interests in banking, agribusiness, rubber plantations, tin mining, renewable energy development, and hydroelectric technology. This initiative marks one of its major moves into biodiversity and wildlife conservation.
The Pulau Kelawasan Orangutan Sanctuary is intended to become a model for responsible environmental stewardship within the development framework of Indonesia’s new capital, signaling a blend of modernization with ecological preservation.