Aceh urged to sync recovery programs with central government

Muhammad Tito Karnavian, head of the Task Force for Acceleration of Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (Satgas PRR) for the Sumatra post-disaster period, is pushing local governments in Aceh to align their recovery programs with national initiatives. This synchronization aims to ensure that physical and non-physical recovery efforts complement the development sectors not yet covered by central ministries or agencies.

Karnavian emphasized this during a coordination and evaluation meeting in Aceh, highlighting the 2026-2028 Master Plan for Post-Sumatra Disaster Recovery. This plan encompasses 11,520 activities with a projected budget of Rp100.166 trillion, involving 23 central ministries and agencies. He cited the Ministry of Public Works' plan for 1,141 infrastructure repair activities as an example, urging regional governments to identify and undertake other infrastructure needs not included in the central program.

"This is what we really need to synchronize," Karnavian stated. "We want details of these 1,141 [activities] to know where they are, so that our colleagues in the districts, cities, and provinces know, 'Oh, they are working on that.' This means the unaddressed areas become the responsibility of the region to work on."

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This is what we really need to synchronize. We want details of these 1,141 [activities] to know where they are, so that our colleagues in the districts, cities, and provinces know, 'Oh, they are working on that.' This means the unaddressed areas become the responsibility of the region to work on.

Clear work maps are crucial to prevent overlapping programs between central and regional authorities. Karnavian plans to request detailed program information and location data from all ministries and agencies. This transparency is vital for regions to identify underserved areas and fill remaining recovery gaps, ensuring clear lines of responsibility.

Karnavian also noted that affected regional governments in Aceh have sufficient fiscal capacity to proceed, particularly by maximizing the Rp10.6 trillion in additional central transfers (TKD) allocated to the affected areas. Inter-regional grant schemes can also be utilized, allowing regions with larger TKD allocations to assist those with more limited budgets. However, he expressed concern over the slow submission of recovery funds from ministries and agencies to the Ministry of Finance, warning against administrative hurdles delaying the permanent recovery process.

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The money has been prepared by the Minister of Finance, the president has issued an official directive, the budget allocation is there. The budget allocation is there, the public is waiting, why hasn't it been submitted? Finally, everyone submits, but some are still in process, within the ministry/agency itself.