Agriculture Minister hands over Rp1 billion for mosque repairs in Bener Meriah, Aceh

Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman has handed over Rp1 billion in aid for the repair of mosques in Bener Meriah Regency, Aceh, which were damaged by flash floods and landslides at the end of 2025. The assistance was handed directly to Bener Meriah Regent Tagore Abubakar after the minister inspected a coffee nursery area in Rimba Raya Village, Pintu Rime Gayo District, Bener Meriah. “Here you are, sir. I didn’t see the mosque earlier, please convey my entrusted Rp1 billion for the mosque repairs,” the minister said as he handed over the cash in Bener Meriah on Tuesday. The handover, witnessed directly by Aceh Deputy Governor Fadhlullah, took place before the minister continued his working visit to Medan, North Sumatra, as part of a series of work agendas on the island of Sumatra. Earlier, during a dialogue with the local government and agricultural extension workers in Rimba Raya Village, Amran admitted he had tried several times to visit the area but was previously hindered by unfavourable conditions. He recalled that when the disaster struck Aceh, he was undergoing medical treatment, yet still led a meeting on aid management for the affected regions. According to Amran, the Ministry of Agriculture and its extended family at the time collected logistical assistance worth around Rp75 billion for three disaster-affected provinces, with the largest portion channelled to Aceh. “We pulled out the IV drip. Immediately led a 40-minute meeting, we led the meeting from the Ministry of Agriculture and the entire extended family for three provinces, contributing Rp75 billion. And the largest was in Aceh at that time, besides West Sumatra and North Sumatra,” he said. He said his concern for Aceh is also underpinned by a strong emotional bond, as he has family ties and his family history is linked to the Bener Meriah region. He stressed that the government does not stand idle when people face calamities, and that all levels of the Ministry of Agriculture strive to be present to assist the post-disaster recovery process. According to Amran, the various forms of assistance provided by the government include logistical support, agricultural programmes, and land development as part of accelerating recovery in the affected areas. He affirmed that the government will continue to accompany the people of Aceh through various recovery and development programmes so that the disaster-affected areas can recover and develop sustainably. “So my emotional bond is very close. Even when I was bedridden, on an IV, upon hearing about the disaster, I immediately got up, especially as a representative of the government in the agricultural sector. Aceh’s sorrow is our sorrow, Aceh’s problems are our problems. We must step in,” Amran said.