Fri Feb 07 17:46:05 UTC 2025: ## Trump-Linked Indonesian Resort Project Halted Over Environmental Concerns

**JAKARTA, Indonesia (February 7, 2025)** – Indonesian authorities have issued a halt order on a 3,000-hectare tourism project affiliated with former U.S. President Donald Trump due to serious environmental concerns and mismanagement of water resources. The project, Lido City, is a joint venture between Indonesian billionaire Hary Tanoesoedibjo’s MNC Group and the Trump Organization.

The development, located near Gunung Gede Pangrango National Park, includes a golf course and other luxury amenities. Concerns center on the significant sedimentation of Lido Lake, allegedly caused by poor rainwater management within the resort, reducing the lake’s size by half. The Environment Ministry cited a “mismatch between environmental plans and physical implementation,” stating that they are awaiting lab results before determining further legal action.

While MNC Land denies sole responsibility, claiming sedimentation also stems from other nearby developments, the government’s action has been welcomed by environmental groups. They highlight the project’s potential threat to the biodiversity of Gunung Gede Pangrango, one of Java’s last remaining virgin tropical forests, home to endangered species like the Javan slow loris and Javan leopard. The park’s critical watershed function for the wider region is also at risk.

The project, granted special economic zone status in 2023, was touted as a key element in Indonesia’s plan to boost tourism. However, the halt order underscores growing concerns about balancing economic development with environmental protection. Environmentalists are calling for a greater prioritization of environmental impact assessments and sustainable practices in future development projects.

Read More