January 2, 2026 | 12:43 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Prabowo Subianto said that private companies are interested in buying mud left behind by the Sumatra disasters. The mud covers areas in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra following flash floods and landslides in November 2025.
According to Prabowo, regional heads informed him of this private interest. "The governors reported to me that there are private parties interested," he said during a disaster management meeting in Aceh on Thursday, January 1, 2026, as broadcast by the Presidential Secretariat.
Prabowo stated that private firms can use the flood mud found across the region. He noted that they can buy mud from rivers as well as from covered fields.
The state head is allowing regional governments to sell this material to the private sector. "Please, I think this is very good. So, please look into this and let's implement it," said the President.
Prabowo mentioned that allowing private firms to take the mud could speed up river normalization. Many rivers have become shallow due to sediment from floods and landslides. He also stated that selling the mud provides direct financial benefits to local governments.
"It will be beneficial if the mud can be sold to private parties, right? Then the regions will enjoy the results immediately. The governors and regents will have a little more spirit when they know about this," said Prabowo.
The government has now formed the Kuala Task Force (Satgas Kuala) to address river siltation in areas hit by the Sumatra disaster. President Prabowo has approved this proposal.
The task force is responsible for quickly dredging estuaries and rivers that have become shallow due to flood mud. Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin proposed the formation of the task force.
Sjafrie stated that the plan was coordinated with the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI). "We are forming Satgas Kuala," said Sjafrie during the disaster management meeting with President Prabowo in Aceh on Thursday.
According to Sjafrie, the Kuala Task Force has two main parts. First, the task force includes personnel to dredge estuaries. Second, the team is tasked with utilizing the water in those estuary areas.
Sjafrie mentioned that the ships used by the Kuala Task Force will do more than just dredge sediment. "The vessels will be equipped with a water treatment system, so that the water in the estuary can be processed and used as clean water," he said.
Sjafrie stated that the Kuala Task Force was formed on Thursday, January 1. He expects the task force to begin operations within two weeks.
Read: Prabowo Apologizes for Being Unable to Visit Every Sumatra Disaster Site
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