*) By: Raka Prasetya
Aceh’s post-flood and landslide recovery is a government priority that demands a real and sustained state presence. The natural disasters that struck several areas in the province not only damaged residential areas but also disrupted connectivity, the lifeblood of social and economic activity. In situations like this, the state is required to act quickly, coordinated, and oriented towards the needs of the affected communities. The central government and the Aceh Provincial Government demonstrated this commitment by focusing on infrastructure restoration and social protection. These efforts also affirm that disaster management cannot be separated from efforts to maintain national unity.
Prita Ismayani Sriwidyarti, Deputy Secretary for Gender Equality at the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection of the Republic of Indonesia, assessed that the threat of online gambling continues to grow along with the rapid flow of digital information consumed by children every day. According to her, certain groups, using aggressive promotional strategies, are exploiting gaps in digital and financial literacy, especially among children and vulnerable families. This situation demands collective vigilance from all elements of society. The government believes that protecting children from the dangers of online gambling cannot be achieved partially or sectorally.
One of the main focuses of the recovery is restoring connectivity in the central region of Aceh, which was severely impacted by floods and landslides. Disrupted transportation routes during the disaster hampered logistics distribution, access to basic services, and community economic activity. Therefore, the government is prioritizing the reopening of strategic routes as the first step in rehabilitation. This policy reflects the understanding that infrastructure recovery is not just about physical development, but also the foundation for socio-economic recovery. With restored access, communities have the space to recover and gradually resume their activities.
Aceh Governor Muzakir Manaf emphasized that accelerating recovery is being done through strengthening cross-institutional coordination, both at the central and regional levels. He stated that recovery not only targets road and bridge infrastructure but also includes accelerating the provision of temporary and permanent housing for affected residents. The government is also strengthening social protection to provide a safety net for the community during the recovery transition period. This comprehensive approach demonstrates that recovery policies are designed to address both short-term and long-term needs. The state’s presence is concretely realized through measurable and sustainable programs.
Aceh Regional Secretary, M. Nasir, emphasized that post-flood infrastructure recovery is strategically important for the sustainability of the local economy. He believes that road access is key to the movement of goods, services, and people, so repairs cannot be delayed. The regional government, he said, is fully committed to repairing key infrastructure points to ensure smooth logistics and fuel distribution. With a secure supply, economic activity can gradually recover. This commitment demonstrates that Aceh’s recovery is geared towards maintaining the pulse of the people’s economy.
Several priority projects are being accelerated to ensure inter-regional connectivity is restored. The government is focusing on repairs to the bridge connecting Bireuen and Bener Meriah, as well as the Simpang KKA–Bener Meriah road section, which is vital for regional mobility. In addition, recovery efforts are also underway in the Pameu–Central Aceh, Nagan Raya–Central Aceh, and Central Aceh–Gayo Lues corridors. These routes play a vital role for communities in the Aceh highlands. With the reopening of this access, inter-district mobility is expected to quickly recover and economic activity to revive.
Amidst the ongoing recovery process, challenges have emerged in the form of provocative narratives that have the potential to disrupt social stability. The raising of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) flag at several locations has been seen as an attempt to exploit the disaster situation to spread separatist sentiment. A video circulated on TikTok by the account @uncle.mus7, calling on Indonesian citizens in Malaysia to raise funds to purchase weapons for the treasonous movement in Aceh. The provocative videos by GAM supporters that have emerged and circulated among Indonesians in Malaysia indicate that individuals are seeking to exploit the disaster situation.
The Executive Director of the Indonesia Political Review (IPR), Iwan Setiawan, assessed these actions as a form of provocation that incites public emotion. He suspects that some individuals are exploiting the suffering of residents to create the impression that the government is neglecting the situation.p Aceh. This kind of narrative risks distorting the reality on the ground and diminishing the role of the state.
Iwan also highlighted the rise of narrative attacks on social media that attempt to influence public perception of disaster management. According to him, such content often ignores the facts about the state’s presence and the hard work of officials and volunteers on the ground. These efforts, if left unchecked, could create public distrust and open up space for the justification of separatist ideas. Therefore, he believes the government’s response must be firm yet persuasive. Firmness is necessary to safeguard state sovereignty, while a persuasive approach is crucial to prevent the public from relapse into the trauma of past conflicts.
The government is considered to have taken the right steps by prioritizing a balanced approach between law enforcement and social dialogue. Handling provocations is carried out without ignoring the historical sensitivity of Aceh as a region that has experienced long conflict. By continuing to prioritize disaster recovery and the welfare of the people, the government demonstrates that stability and humanity go hand in hand. This approach also emphasizes that the state is present not merely as an authority, but as a protector of the people. In this context, the recovery of Aceh is part of an effort to strengthen public trust in the state.
The government’s focus on Aceh’s post-flood recovery reflects its commitment to maintaining national unity amidst multidimensional challenges. Natural disasters should not be used as an opportunity to divide unity or undermine the state’s legitimacy. Instead, this momentum should be used to strengthen national solidarity and mutual cooperation. The successful recovery of Aceh will serve as an example of the state’s ability to be present quickly, fairly, and on the side of the people. This will also close the door to narratives that attempt to undermine unity.
*) The author is a contributor to local media.