RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – Minister of Home Affairs, Tito Karnavian, is encouraging the optimal use of wood debris from floods in the Sumatra region to benefit the community and strengthen local industry. Tito emphasized this during the Task Force’s Coordination Meeting held at the Sasana Bhakti Praja Room, Ministry of Home Affairs office, Jakarta, Monday, 26 January 2026.

Titi who also as Chairman of the Task Force for the Acceleration of Post-Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction in Sumatra, said the highest concentration of post-disaster wood material is located along the border between East Aceh and North Aceh, specifically in the Pante Bidari and Langkahan areas. While residents have processed some of the larger logs independently, an abundance of smaller wood piles remains untouched.

He mentioned that utilizing this wood aligns with Presidential instructions to ensure post-disaster materials are not wasted and instead provide direct benefits to the public.

“Indeed, the President's policy during the last meeting, including in Hambalang, was to instruct us to allow the community and the government to utilize the wood. Many have done so by cutting it into planks to build houses, bridges, and other structures. However, there are many small pieces of wood that cannot be made into planks,” Tito stated.

Recognizing this potential, the Task Force Chairman revealed that several Regional-Owned Enterprises (BUMD) and local industry players have expressed interest in absorbing the remaining wood, which has otherwise been difficult to obtain in the market. The wood can be allocated as industrial raw material or fuel for energy production.

“There are suggestions from several regional heads: ‘Sir, what if it is taken over by BUMDs and sold to third parties?’ For example, there is a coal-fired power plant in North Sumatra that also needs wood. There are also local industries, such as brick making,” Tito noted.

As a reference for handling the debris, Tito cited the solution implemented in the rivers of Central Tapanuli as a successful model. This approach is considered effective in alleviating the burden on affected residents while clearing river channels of clogging materials.

Tito requested that the Ministry of Forestry immediately provide technical guidance and further regulations regarding the mechanism for utilizing wood with economic value.