Karnavian said the step follows President Prabowo Subianto’s instructions issued during a meeting some time ago.
“The President’s policy, conveyed during a recent meeting in Hambalang, is that the timber logs can be used by the public or government for post-disaster recovery,” he said at the Ministry of Home Affairs headquarters here on Monday.
As Head of the Task Force for the Acceleration of Post-Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction in Sumatra, Karnavian noted that many washed away logs were found along the border of East and North Aceh.
“Many have already been cut into planks for house construction, bridges, and other purposes,” he added.
However, he acknowledged that a significant portion of the timber is too small to be used for construction. Some regional heads suggested that smaller logs could still serve public needs.
“One suggestion from several local leaders was, ‘Why not let the regional-owned enterprises (BUMD) sell it to third parties, like coal-fired power plants (PLTU)?’” he said.
Minister Karnavian explained that some power plants in North Sumatra require timber as fuel, while local brick industries also need wood for production, which ultimately supports regional development.
“There are also local industries, such as brick-making, that have been asking whether they can use the timber, as it has been difficult to source wood until now,” he said.
In this regard, he has requested Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni to provide guidance on the proper procedures for utilizing the timber.
According to him, using these logs will not only support the post-disaster recovery process but also help accelerate the clearing of flood debris.
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Translator: Fianda, Kenzu
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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