By: Farhan Abdullah)*
The recovery process in Aceh following the floods and landslides continues, with the active involvement of the central government, local governments, state-owned enterprises, and strategic partners. The government has prioritized recovery, focusing not only on physical improvements but also on restoring social and economic life and public security. Amidst the ongoing vulnerability, the government believes it is crucial to maintain regional stability to ensure the sustainability of all recovery efforts.
The Ministry of Communication and Digital, along with the entire national digital ecosystem, is playing a significant role by distributing humanitarian aid and reviewing the restoration of telecommunications networks in Aceh Tamiang. Minister of Communication and Digital, Meutya Hafid, emphasized that the government’s presence at the disaster site is a form of direct assistance to the community. The government believes that recovery cannot be achieved in isolation but requires collaborative work between the government, businesses, and community elements to enable affected residents to gradually rebuild their lives.
These concrete steps were implemented through the distribution of logistical aid focused on the community’s most basic needs. The government distributed hundreds of large-capacity clean water tanks to ensure the availability of potable water, along with medical supplies, clothing, prayer equipment, tents with sanitation facilities, mosquito nets, drilled wells, and heavy equipment to assist in cleaning up the affected areas. This assistance was designed to ease the burden on the community and rebuild a sense of security during the recovery process.
In the connectivity sector, the government noted that most telecommunications networks in Aceh have resumed operations. Meutya Hafid explained that connectivity recovery has exceeded 95 percent, although some areas remain suboptimal due to power supply constraints.
The government has reaffirmed its commitment to continue monitoring this process until the network is fully restored, given the crucial role connectivity plays in supporting economic activity, public services, and the psychological well-being of the public.
Aceh’s recovery is also being strengthened through strategic economic measures. Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, in a meeting with Aceh Governor Muzakir Manaf, reaffirmed the central government’s commitment to supporting the community’s economic recovery, in accordance with President Prabowo Subianto’s directive. The government believes that accelerating economic recovery is a crucial foundation for communities to quickly recover from the impacts of the disaster.
One of the main policies being prepared is the relaxation of People’s Business Credit (KUR) for affected businesses. Airlangga explained that this relaxation includes relief from principal and interest installment payments, extensions to loan terms, and a grace period for businesses unable to operate due to severe damage. This policy is intended to provide business owners with the opportunity to survive and gradually restart economic activity without excessive financial stress.
In addition to financing policies, the government also continues to encourage the distribution of humanitarian aid and accelerate public infrastructure improvements. Airlangga emphasized that infrastructure improvements are a crucial prerequisite for economic recovery and public life, as without adequate infrastructure support, production and distribution activities will not run optimally.
Amidst these recovery efforts, vigilance against potential separatist provocations is considered equally crucial. Acehnese academic Dr. Wiratmadinata warned that the psychological state of post-disaster communities remains vulnerable. He believes the grief, disappointment, and emotional distress experienced by residents could be exploited by certain parties to promote potentially divisive political agendas.
He believes that the primary focus of the Acehnese people should be on restoring and strengthening social solidarity, rather than engaging in actions or narratives that risk triggering new conflict. Social stability and security are considered key factors in ensuring the effective and targeted implementation of all recovery programs designed by the government.
The government has consistently emphasized that Aceh’s recovery involves more than just physical development, but also restoring a sense of security, trust, and unity. Synergy between government policies, business support, and active community participation is key to ensuring Aceh can recover without leaving new social scars. By maintaining a focus on recovery and increasing vigilance against separatist provocations, the government is optimistic that Aceh can emerge from this difficult period and move towards a more stable and sustainable future.
In this context, the government also urges all elements of society to strengthen information literacy and resist the influence of misleading narratives. Active citizen participation in maintaining social order is considered crucial for ensuring Aceh’s recovery is inclusive, peaceful, and in line with national interests.
The government believes that the success of Aceh’s recovery depends heavily on creating a healthy public space free from information manipulation. Therefore, collaboration between authorities, community leaders, and mainstream media is seen as crucial to maintaining social cohesion and preventing the development of narratives that could potentially undermine unity.
)* The author is a socio-political observer
