Eight Permanent Homes Built in Aceh Tamiang, Funded by Nationwide Forest Police Contributions
The Ministry of Forestry (Kemenhut) has built eight permanent homes (huntap) for residents affected by floods and landslides in Sekumur Village, Sekerak District, Aceh Tamiang Regency. The construction of the eight units was the result of a collective fundraising effort by forest police officers from various regions across Indonesia.
The construction was carried out by the Directorate General of Forestry Law Enforcement (Ditjen Gakkum Kehutanan) together with the Indonesian Forest Police Association (IPKI) as a tangible form of the Ministry of Forestry’s concern for disaster-affected communities. All the houses have been completed and are now occupied by families who lost their homes due to the floods and landslides.
Director General of Forestry Law Enforcement at the Ministry of Forestry, Dwi Januanto Nugroho, stated that the spirit of service is the foundation for forest police officers not only to protect forest areas but also to be present to help communities in need. “Budhi Bhakti Wirawana (the forest police code of ethics that upholds the values of service, care, and mutual cooperation) teaches us that the service of forest police does not stop at guarding forest areas. When communities face disasters, these values guide us to be present, work together, and provide tangible benefits. Protecting forests essentially also means protecting the lives of the people who depend on them,” Dwi said.
Meanwhile, Chairman of IPKI Sustyo Iriyono said the construction of the eight permanent homes was the result of mutual cooperation among forest police members across Indonesia. “These homes stand because of the spirit of togetherness within the forest police family. Every contribution from members is part of a collective effort to help our brothers and sisters in Aceh Tamiang. This is the meaning of Budhi Bhakti Wirawana that we realise through concrete action,” Sustyo said.
In addition to building homes, IPKI will also continue its social activities by renovating a Qur’anic education park in Sulum Village, Sekerak District, ahead of the 81st Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia. Through these various activities, the Ministry of Forestry reaffirms its commitment to social care, in line with the directive of Minister of Forestry Raja Juli for forestry personnel to provide benefits not only for forest sustainability but also for the lives of surrounding communities.