IPDN Cadets Collaborate to Restore Historic Site in Aceh Tamiang

IPDN cadets have directly engaged in cleaning mud that covers the historic site of Istana Benua Raja, a relic of the Benua Tunu Kingdom, in Benua Raja Village, Rantau Subdistrict, Aceh Tamiang Regency, Aceh, on Saturday (4/4). This action is part of the accelerated recovery efforts for areas affected by the major flood that struck the region at the end of November last year. One of the cadets, I Gusti Ngurah Erlang AW, was seen diligently scooping up hardened mud deposits in various corners of the historic building. Equipped with a shovel and wheelbarrow, the 36th batch IPDN Pratama Cadet from the Bali contingent moved back and forth, cleaning the corridors of the site, which serves as an important symbol of the history of the Islamic kingdom in Aceh. This Bali contingent of IPDN cadets was deployed along with 730 other cadets by the Ministry of Home Affairs to clean 42 locations still filled with thick mud, most of which have accumulated in residential areas. Erlang expressed pride in being directly involved in the post-disaster recovery in Aceh Tamiang. Moreover, the third wave of IPDN cadet fieldwork requires more direct involvement in the community, which further strengthens the humanitarian mission to disaster survivors, making the assignment more than just mud cleaning. “We feel we have been 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 Aceh (a disaster area),” Erlang said in an interview on Saturday (4/4). Previously, the Head of the Task Force for Accelerating Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (PRR) Post-Disaster Sumatra, Tito Karnavian, urged IPDN cadets to work hard to clean the mud still filling residential environments in Aceh Tamiang. This was conveyed by Tito while leading the opening roll call for the third wave of IPDN Pratama Cadet fieldwork at Istana Benua Raja, Aceh Tamiang Regency, Aceh, on Saturday (4/4). 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 the accelerated post-disaster environmental recovery efforts. “The main target is to resolve issues still affected by mud, some of which have hardened, including this historic site (Istana Benua Raja), as well as community homes, drainage, and others, because Aceh Tamiang is indeed one of the hardest-hit impacts, especially since the flood mud deposits can reach 4 to 5 metres,” Tito said.