DPR Member Expresses Concern Over Cement Scarcity in Aceh

A member of Indonesia’s House of Representatives (DPR RI) Commission VII for the Aceh I electoral district, Drs H Teuku Zulkarnaini Ampon Bang, has expressed serious concern over the scarcity and high price of cement in several parts of Aceh.

“Our question is simple: Aceh has a cement producer in Lhoknga, Aceh Besar. So why are people in several areas struggling to obtain cement at a reasonable price? This must be clarified concretely and objectively,” said Teuku Zulkarnaini in a statement received by ANTARA on Thursday.

The man familiarly known as Ampon Bang assessed that the issue should not be viewed merely as a trade matter, but as a strategic issue concerning development and the recovery of Acehnese society following disasters.

Based on information received, the price of 40-kilogram cement in several parts of Aceh currently ranges from Rp80,000 to Rp85,000 per sack, while in some other areas it has reached Rp90,000 to Rp110,000 per sack.

This situation is considered increasingly burdensome for people who are building and repairing homes after the hydrometeorological disasters that struck Aceh in late 2025.

He said the problem is becoming more serious because information received indicates that PT Solusi Bangun Andalas has shown an escalation in cement production with no decline, and output is even said to have increased compared to the previous year.

Based on data he received, current production capacity is around 3,700 tonnes per day, equivalent to 92,500 sacks, while Aceh’s needs are estimated at 4,200 tonnes per day, or around 105,000 sacks. This suggests an indicated deficit of around 500 tonnes, or 12,500 sacks, per day.

“If production has not fallen, then we must find out where the problem lies. Whether it is in stock, distribution, supply allocation, transport, the distributor network, or indeed in the price formation structure. The public must not simply bear the consequences while the root of the problem is never exposed,” he stressed.

Teuku Zulkarnaini also highlighted the price disparity for cement between Aceh and Medan, North Sumatra.

According to information he obtained, the price of several cement brands in Medan in early August was in the range of Rp70,000 to Rp75,000 per sack, whereas in Aceh prices reached Rp80,000 to Rp110,000 per sack.

“This must be explained economically. We are not a region entirely dependent on outside supply. We have a cement factory in Lhoknga. By economic logic, the presence of a local producer should shorten the supply chain and reduce distribution costs. If the fact is that prices in Aceh are actually higher, then there is a problem in the supply chain that we must investigate,” he said.

In the near future, he will examine production capacity, stock, distribution, supply allocation between districts and cities, the price structure, and the company’s measures to close the gap between production and cement demand in Aceh.

“I do not want this issue to drag on. We want to obtain data. How much is produced, how much is in stock, where is it distributed, what are the prices from the factory to distributors and retailers, and what causes prices in Aceh to differ from Medan,” he said.

He will also request an explanation regarding additional supply from outside Aceh and increased operational hours at cement filling terminals, including the extent to which these measures are effective in addressing the scarcity.

Ampon Bang also stressed that the cement issue must be resolved immediately because Aceh is in a post-disaster recovery phase.

According to him, an uncontrolled rise in cement prices will increase construction costs, slow the rehabilitation of people’s homes, and potentially hamper reconstruction programmes.

“The public, who have already been hit by disaster, must not then face a second burden in the form of expensive and scarce building materials. They are trying to recover. The government, producers and the entire distribution chain must ensure cement is available and reasonably priced,” he said.

He emphasised that cement availability is part of Aceh’s development resilience. Therefore, resolving the problem is not enough merely by increasing production; it must also ensure that cement actually reaches the public with even distribution and rational pricing.

“We must look at this issue from upstream to downstream. If production is sufficient but people still struggle to obtain cement, then there is a problem that must be found. I will investigate this on the ground and request that all data be opened transparently,” he concluded.