January 7, 2026 | 05:17 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) stated that mud sedimentation from floods and landslides in several disaster-affected areas in Sumatra has exceeded three meters. BNPB Head of Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Center, Abdul Muhari, noted that flood sedimentation of this scale is the first of its kind in Indonesia in recent years.
Abdul explained that this condition has prolonged the cleaning process. "If the cleaning process is to be only relocated, we must consider specific locations to avoid causing environmental problems at the disposal site," he stated at the BNPB Graha Office in Jakarta on Tuesday, January 6, 2026.
Therefore, Abdul revealed that President Prabowo Subianto has allowed regional governments to sell the sedimentation to private parties. According to him, the President believes that selling the sedimentation to the private sector will expedite the cleaning process and resolve the difficulty of finding disposal sites for the mud piles.
Abdul claimed that the sale of sedimentation will benefit both parties. "We need a place to relocate, and this can be utilized by the private sector. This is what the President sees as a catalyst for acceleration," he said.
In addition to expediting recovery, Abdul continued, the sale of sedimentation offers economic impacts for the government. Meanwhile, for the private sector, the sediment can support various agendas, including reclamation.
"So if there are private parties interested in buying this 'mud,' this will be a catalyst that will expedite the cleaning in the affected areas," said Abdul.
The plan to sell mud sedimentation to the private sector was first proposed by Prabowo Subianto during a disaster management meeting in Aceh on Thursday, January 1, 2026, as broadcast by the Presidential Secretariat. The head of state mentioned that private parties were interested in buying post-disaster mud materials in Sumatra.
According to Prabowo, he received information about private sector interest from reports by regional heads. "Governors reported to me that there are private parties interested," he said.
Prabowo stated that private parties could utilize the flood mud material found throughout the region. Besides in rivers, he said, they could also buy the mud covering the fields. Prabowo then allowed regional governments interested in selling the mud material to private parties. "Please, I think this is very good. So please explore this, and we will implement it," said the former defense minister.
Prabowo mentioned that the use of mud by the private sector could expedite the normalization of rivers, which have become shallow due to sediment from floods and landslides. Furthermore, Prabowo said, the purchase of mud material provides direct benefits to regional governments.
However, Abdul Muhari revealed that until today, no private party has officially purchased the Sumatra post-flood mud material.
Sultan Abdurrahman contributed to the report.
Read: Prabowo Establishes Sumatra Disaster Recovery Task Force
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Death Toll Reaches 16 in North Sulawesi' Sitaro Flash Floods
1 jam lalu
The death toll from flash floods in North Sulawesi's Sitaro Islands has reached 16. BNPB reports 682 evacuees as search efforts continue.
At Least 16 Dead as Subsequent Flood Hits Parts of North Sulawesi
21 jam lalu
BNPB reported that 16 people died in a subsequent flood that hit Siau Tagulandang Biaro Islands or Sitaro Regency, North Sulawesi.
BNPB Explains Rp150 Million Bore Well Cost in Sumatra
22 jam lalu
BNPB clarifies the Rp150 million cost for bore wells in Sumatra disaster zones that has sparked controversy for being considered too expensive.
Flash Floods in North Sulawesi's Sitaro Kill Nine People
1 hari lalu
Nine people have died, and five remain missing after flash floods hit Sitaro Regency, North Sulawesi. Rescue teams are searching for survivors.
BNPB: No New Fatalities Reported in Sumatra Disaster Today
4 hari lalu
BNPB said that joint search and rescue (SAR) teams will continue operations to locate the bodies of disaster victims in Sumatra.
BNPB Updates Progress of Post-Disaster Aceh Road and Bridge Repairs
5 hari lalu
The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) as the National Supporting Post Coordinator released the achieved target of the Ministry of Public Works
Prabowo Corrects BNPB Chief on Soldier Incentives
5 hari lalu
President Prabowo Subianto corrected the BNPB Chief regarding incentives for TNI soldiers in Sumatra.
Prabowo Apologizes for Being Unable to Visit Every Sumatra Disaster Site
5 hari lalu
As the Sumatra disaster death toll reached 1,154, Prabowo pledged to reach the most impacted districts soon.
Sumatra Disaster Death Toll Rises to 1,154, BNPB Updates
6 hari lalu
The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) reported 13 more deaths from the Sumatra disasters.
Sumatra Floods Kill Over 1,100, BNPB Records
15 hari lalu
The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) recorded the number of casualties due to the Sumatra disaster in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra, reaching more than 1,100 people.
