Deputy Minister of Home Affairs: IPDN cadets' deployment is a humanitarian and national mission

Jakarta — Deputy Minister of Home Affairs (Wamendagri) Bima Arya Sugiarto emphasised that the contribution of IPDN cadets in Aceh Tamiang Regency is not merely a humanitarian mission but also a mission of national unity.

“This is not only a humanitarian mission but also a national mission,” he said in Jakarta on Wednesday.

The remarks were made after he led the Departure Parade for IPDN Cadets Batch II for repatriation at Kualanamu Airport, Deli Serdang Regency, North Sumatra.

According to him, the presence of cadets from across Indonesia in disaster-affected areas is not only to help governance recovery but also to strengthen the dimension of nationalism. The cadets are required to adapt quickly to the culture and daily life of the local communities.

Furthermore, Bima assessed that the assignment in Aceh Tamiang would also be a crucible for the cadets. They are shaped directly by various field challenges. “Physically tested, courage tested, patience tested, communication ability tested, tolerance tested,” he said.

He believes the experience will be valuable when they subsequently hold leadership positions at various levels. The sense of belonging with communities rebuilding from disaster, he added, will also become an important asset when they lead in the future.

“Remember that giving a contribution and being meaningful is your main task,” Bima said.

Next, Bima disclosed that sending cadets to Aceh Tamiang is not yet finished. In line with the direction of the Minister of Home Affairs (Mendagri) Muhammad Tito Karnavian, there will be a third wave of IPDN Cadets to continue the recovery process.

“In 67 days we will be able to see how Aceh Tamiang changes its face and the rhythm of everyday life. Government offices will reopen to serve the public, the economy will move again, and residents will go about their daily routines,” he noted.

For information, from the two waves of deployment, the Ministry of Home Affairs has deployed 1,890 personnel to Aceh Tamiang. The number consists of 1,582 IPDN cadets and the remainder are the Ministry’s Civil Servants (ASN).

During their duties, they managed to clean and restore 37 government offices. For Wave II, the assignment focused on the recovery of four hamlets affected by mud.