State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi delivered the statement at a press conference on post-disaster recovery at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base in Jakarta on Friday.
He said that several days after the disasters struck the three provinces, the Ministry of Forestry issued a circular to provincial and district or city governments regarding the utilization of flood-carried wood.
According to Hadi, the regulation was formulated to ensure that the use of natural resources is orderly, well coordinated and in line with existing laws and regulations.
The circular outlines procedures for using the wood for rehabilitation purposes, including the construction of temporary and permanent housing for affected communities.
He said the regulation has been disseminated to local governments at all administrative levels to ensure coordinated implementation on the ground.
The framework allows communities to use the wood, but requires coordination with local governments in accordance with their respective authorities.
“If communities wish to use it, this must be coordinated with the relevant authorities at each level,” Hadi said.
Earlier, the Aceh provincial government urged all parties not to remove logs swept away by flash floods, saying the material could still be used for emergency purposes in affected areas.
“No one is allowed to take, let alone transport, any material without permission from the relevant authorities,” Aceh Provincial Government spokesperson Muhammad MTA said.
He said floods and landslides in Aceh are complex incidents involving environmental concerns, not ordinary disasters.
Aceh Governor Muzakir Manaf has stated that wood found in flash flood and landslide areas may still be used for emergency needs on site.
Hadi added that, given the possibility of law enforcement investigations into environmental violations, wood found in disaster areas could also serve as evidence.
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Translator: Andi Firdaus, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Primayanti
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