Ministry of Public Works Handles Sumatra Disaster Through Labor Intensive Scheme to Restore Citizens’ Economy

JAKARTA, 18 January 2026 – The Ministry of Public Works (PU) continues to accelerate post-disaster management in a number of areas of Sumatra, especially in the provinces of Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra. Until January 15 2026, the Ministry of Public Works will not only focus its efforts on restoring physical infrastructure, but also on economic recovery of affected communities through the implementation of the Labor Intensive Scheme.

The Minister of Public Works, Dody Hanggodo, emphasized that community involvement through the Labor Intensive Scheme aims to ensure that affected residents remain productive and immediately earn an income. This step has been implemented since mid-December 2025 together with the support of personnel from the TNI and Polri.

“Since mid-December 2025, we have used a labor-intensive pattern. If people are left silent and sad for too long, recovery will be hampered. So the Ministry of Public Works together with the TNI, Polri and the community who are employed on a labor-intensive basis have started working 24 hours a day,” said Minister Dody in Media Briefing at the Ministry of Public Works Office, Jakarta, Friday (16/1/2026).

Minister Dody added that this scheme was an implementation of President Prabowo Subianto’s direction which emphasized that the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction process must be based on principles Build Back Better.

“We all hope that the economy will start rolling again soon, people must have it immediately income Again. “And we hope that the labor-intensive program that we are rolling out can help the community,” added Dody.

Until January 15 2026 at 12.00 WIB, or around 52 days since the start of the disaster, the Ministry of Public Works is prioritizing the restoration of basic infrastructure, especially road and bridge connectivity, as well as support for water resource services.

In the first 30 days post-disaster phase which has emergency response status, handling is carried out under the coordination of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB). The main focus at that time was to reopen logistics access so that the distribution of food, fuel and LPG could run smoothly.

To support the acceleration of handling, the Ministry of Public Works has mobilized massive resources, including:

– Deployed 1,332 personnel in the initial stage, including 402 young people from the Ministry of Public Works. Support also came from the TNI, Polri and the local community as many as 1,366 people.

– Distributed 1,854 heavy equipment and 467 supporting facilities to affected locations in Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra.

Minister Dody explained that the speed of the Ministry of Public Works’ response was supported by the existence of technical centers spread throughout the province.

“The Ministry of Public Works has technical centers in all provinces in Indonesia, so that when a disaster occurs, we move first. This also applies in all regions, not only in Sumatra, but also in other places. In every disaster, we try to be present as quickly as possible. These technical centers are the front guard who respond quickly to affected locations to carry out initial treatment,” said Minister Dody.

The Ministry of Public Works is committed to continuing to update the progress of handling in the field and synergizing with relevant ministries/institutions, regional governments, and elements of the TNI/Polri to accelerate the recovery of infrastructure and the socio-economic life of the community.

This work program is part of “A Year of Working, Moving – Having an Impact” in implementing President Prabowo Subianto’s ASTA CITA.

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#AnImpactYear

About the Communications Bureau of the Ministry of Public Works

The Ministry of Public Works (PU) is a state ministry in the Red and White Cabinet in the Government of the Republic of Indonesia. This ministry is in charge of public works affairs, namely: tasked with and responsible for the development and management of infrastructure in Indonesia, including roads, bridges, water management. The Ministry of Public Works is responsible to the President. Since October 21 2024, the ministry will be led by Dody Hanggodo.

This press release has also appeared on VRITIMES