IPDN Cadets Battle Mud to Restore Glory of Historic Site in Aceh Tamiang

IPDN cadets continue to serve as the vanguard of post-disaster recovery in Sumatra. One cadet, I Gusti Ngurah Erlang AW, was seen diligently clearing piles of mud that covered the historic site of Istana Benua Raja in Benua Raja Village, Rantau District, Aceh Tamiang Regency, Aceh, on Saturday (4/4/2026). Equipped with a shovel and wheelbarrow, Erlang moved back and forth, scouring every corner of the historic building’s corridors belonging to the Benua Tunu Kingdom, one of the oldest Islamic kingdoms in Aceh. He scooped out the hardened mud resulting from the flood disaster that struck Aceh Tamiang at the end of November 2025. Despite sweating profusely and working under the scorching sun, the 36th batch IPDN cadet appeared enthusiastic about cleaning the mud at the Istana Benua Raja site. For information, the mud cleaning at Istana Benua Raja is one of the mandatory points to be cleaned during the third wave field work practice (PKL) of IPDN cadets in Aceh Tamiang. Erlang expressed pride in being directly involved in the post-disaster recovery in Aceh Tamiang. Moreover, the third wave PKL of IPDN cadets demands direct involvement amidst the community, which further strengthens the humanitarian mission to disaster survivors. Therefore, the assignment is more than just cleaning mud. “We feel tasked with carrying out a humanitarian mission. We are very pleased and proud, especially since for most of us, this is the first opportunity to carry out duties in (a disaster area) like Aceh,” said Erlang in a written statement received by Kompas.com on Monday (6/4/2026). This was conveyed by Tito while leading the opening roll call for the third wave PKL of IPDN Pratama cadets at Istana Benua Raja, Aceh Tamiang Regency, Aceh, on Saturday. Tito stated that 731 IPDN cadets in the third wave deployed in Aceh Tamiang will be focused on mud cleaning activities in residents’ homes, drainage, and village roads as part of efforts to accelerate post-disaster environmental recovery. “The main target is to resolve issues still affected by mud, some of which has hardened, including this historic site (Istana Benua Raja),” he said. Subsequently, the cleaning also targets residents’ homes, drainage, and other places that have experienced serious disruptions. “Indeed, Aceh Tamiang is one of the areas hardest hit, especially because the flood mud deposits can reach 4 to 5 metres,” said Tito.