RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Minister of Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia, Raja Juli Antoni, presented the progress of the Ministry of Forestry's work in supporting the acceleration of recovery in areas and communities affected by flash floods in the provinces of Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.

The presentation was delivered at the Follow-up Coordination Meeting and Press Release on Accelerating Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Post-Natural Disasters in the Sumatra Region, held in Jakarta on Monday, 26 January 2026. In his presentation, the Minister of Forestry underscored that the Ministry of Forestry is actively present as part of the Task Force for Accelerating Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Post-Natural Disasters in the provinces of Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.

This task force was formed specifically for providing relocation land, handling post-disaster wood materials, and supporting the cleaning of affected areas.

He affirmed that the Ministry of Forestry is ready to follow up quickly once there is an official request from the relevant ministries/agencies, provincial governments, or district/city governments. There are two possible schemes: Forest Area Release or Forest Area Use Permit (PPKH).

"The most realistic and fastest way to provide relocation land from forest areas is through the Forest Area Use Permit (PPKH) mechanism, which can then be followed by releasing the area for the permanent benefit of the community," the Minister of Forestry stated.

Moreover, Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni affirmed that the policy for utilizing timber from flood disasters will be implemented. "The timber can be used by the community and the government for disaster management needs, such as building houses, bridges, public facilities, and temporary shelters. For non-commercial use, it is permitted directly," Raja Juli stated.

This policy aligns with the directive of the President of the Republic of Indonesia to maximize the use of post-disaster materials for the benefit of community recovery without causing governance and legal issues.

In support of accelerating regional recovery, the Ministry of Forestry is also directing field resources on a massive scale, including 38 units of heavy equipment resulting from inter-ministerial collaboration.