Indonesia to Revitalize Fire-Damaged Sade Village

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia’s Ministry of Culture is preparing to revitalize Sade Traditional Village in Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, following a major fire that damaged the historic settlement. Minister of Culture Fadli Zon said the restoration must include stronger fire prevention measures to protect the village’s cultural heritage from future disasters.

“We will certainly revitalize it, but we hope there will be mitigation and preventive measures so that this does not happen again, because many of the materials are easily flammable,” Fadli said in Jakarta on Friday, September 4, 2026. He emphasized that rebuilding the village should not only restore damaged structures but also improve safety.

The government is currently waiting for a new concept and design prepared by appointed designers and architects before the revitalization process begins. He said the Ministry of Culture is also coordinating with the West Nusa Tenggara Governor and the Regent of Central Lombok to prepare a roadmap for the restoration.

“We are waiting for the design from the appointed designer or architect, including the layout and distances,” the Minister said. “Once the design is ready, we will immediately implement the roadmap for the revitalization.”

The fire also destroyed several traditional artifacts and cultural equipment belonging to the local community. Fadli said the loss of items such as lontar manuscripts and traditional tools was regrettable, while the government plans to replace some of the equipment, including traditional weaving tools.

“Some of the items that were burned, such as lontar and several traditional tools, are deeply regrettable,” he said. “We will later provide replacements, including the weaving equipment.” The measure is expected to help local residents continue traditional cultural activities that form an important part of Sade’s identity.

The minister said the government has not set a final completion date for the revitalization because the schedule will depend on the readiness of the design. However, he expressed hope that the restoration could begin before the end of 2026 or, at the latest, in early 2027.

The fire struck Sade Traditional Village in Rambitan Village, Pujut District, Central Lombok, on the night of August 22, 2026. According to data from the Ministry of Culture, the disaster affected 167 buildings, including 75 traditional houses, 69 craft shops and eight traditional alang-alang storage buildings.

The government’s restoration plan is therefore aimed not only at rebuilding Sade but also at strengthening protection for one of Indonesia’s important traditional settlements. By combining cultural preservation with fire mitigation, the government hopes Sade can retain its traditional character while becoming safer and more resilient for future generations.