Sahat Simatupang, Jakarta – Fifty days after the ecological disaster in Sumatra, recovery is not progressing significantly. Law enforcement against corporations suspected of damaging ecological infrastructure has not shown a deterrent effect.
The Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) stated that the disaster has developed into a humanitarian crisis. Impacts include the loss of rights to habitat, food, clean water, health, education, and livelihoods.
Economic activities have stalled, with widespread crop failures, disrupted roads, unstable electricity, and soaring prices for basic necessities. In Aceh, the disaster has eroded local wisdom like the Meugang tradition, which serves as a food solidarity system.
Wahdan Lubis, Disaster Desk Coordinator for the Walhi Sumatra Region, stated that the lack of facilities and slow responses have worsened victim conditions. "Ironically, amid the humanitarian crisis, the state has promptly mobilized dozens of heavy equipment to move logs post-floods without transparency and accountability. This fact shows the disproportionate favoritism when the people are trying to save lives, yet they are confronted with resources of economic value," said Wahdan Lubis in a press conference in Medan, Friday, January 16, 2026.
Geographically, Aceh is strategic yet vulnerable. Situated at the convergence of tectonic plates with forests and rivers, it requires ecological caution. However, in the two decades since the 2004 tsunami, environmental pressures have increased through extractive industry expansion and forest conversions that neglect safety.
Afifuddin, Head of Advocacy and Campaign Division of Walhi Aceh, stated that development in affected areas cannot follow old patterns. Revoking extractive permits in vulnerable zones is a non-negotiable step.
"The people of Aceh understand the vulnerability of their living space, that's why they preserve the area with traditional knowledge proven through traditions that have been passed down through generations. This traditional knowledge should be the reference for the state to mitigate disasters," he said.
In North Sumatra, Walhi highlighted the Batang Toru area, which depends on forest cover for hydrological support. Jaka Kelana Damanik, Advocacy and Campaign Manager for Walhi North Sumatra, mentioned that in the last 10 years, around 10,795 hectares of Batang Toru forest were converted due to seven major companies.
This forest loss is equivalent to 5.4 million trees. Jaka explained that Batang Toru reflects development neglecting ecological mitigation through hydropower projects and mining, which weakens the land's ability to absorb water. "Without stringent forest protection policies and consistent law enforcement against environmental destruction, ecological disasters will continue to recur with increasingly extensive and severe impacts," he said.
Uli Arta Siagian, Campaign Division Head of Walhi's National Executive, emphasized that flood management must include long-term restoration and law enforcement. "To create a deterrent effect and enforce genuine ecological restoration," said Uli Arta.
Walhi also criticized the Ministry of Environment (KLH) for suing only six companies in the Garoga and Batang Toru basins. This raises questions about two other companies previously under examination.
"Initially, the KLH announced that 8 companies were examined and subjected to temporary administrative sanctions. However, this raises the question, where did the other 2 companies go?" said Uli. He assessed that if the KLH loses, other companies could use the court decision as legitimacy to declare their innocence.
Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/2080966/walhi-slams-slow-sumatra-post-disaster-recover