The Ministry of Public Works (PU), through PT Wijaya Karya (Persero) Tbk (WIKA), has completed the construction of Temporary Housing 1 (Huntara) for communities affected by the disaster in Aceh. This effort not only provides comfortable infrastructure, but also contributes to restoring a sense of security, dignity, and socio-economic activities for residents in the aftermath of the disaster.
Minister of Public Works Dody Hanggodo emphasised that the completion of the temporary housing before Ramadan was a priority so that the community would no longer have to live in refugee tents. While inspecting the Aceh Tamiang Temporary Housing on Tuesday (20/1/2026), Minister Dody stressed that the acceleration of construction was a manifestation of the state's presence in ensuring the comfort of the community in carrying out their religious duties.
‘We are pushing for it to be completed as soon as possible. We are all working hard so that during Ramadan, if possible, no residents will be living in tents. We want the community to be able to perform their Ramadan worship more peacefully and to the fullest,’ said Minister Dody.
As a strategic partner of the Ministry of Public Works, WIKA plays an active role in the construction of temporary housing through the application of the MOLI (Modular Lite) construction method from PT Wijaya Karya Bangunan Gedung Tbk (WEGE), which enables rapid and efficient construction in post-disaster conditions. This approach minimises the use of heavy equipment while accelerating the construction time so that the affected community can move in immediately.
Huntara 1 of the Ministry of Public Works in Karang Baru District, Aceh Tamiang, is now ready to be occupied by 84 families or around 336 people. This area is designed not only as temporary housing but also as a living space that supports the daily activities of residents, equipped with toilet facilities, a prayer room, a communal area, and an adequate sanitation and clean water system.
As the housing becomes available, the socio-economic impact is beginning to be felt by the community. Children once again have a more conducive environment for playing and learning, families can rest properly, and economic activity is slowly beginning to revive. The well-organised environment has also revived a sense of security and comfort for residents after months of living in refugee camps.
President Prabowo Subianto's directive that post-disaster management should not only focus on physical reconstruction but also on the peace of mind and quality of life of the community is the main basis for the implementation of this programme. Minister Dody emphasised that the temporary shelters are part of efforts to maintain the comfort of the community, especially ahead of Ramadan.
‘That has become the direction of the President. We are providing full support to the community, especially in Aceh and West Sumatra, which are predominantly Muslim, so that during Ramadan they can worship more peacefully, even in post-disaster conditions,’ added Minister Dody.
In line with these efforts, WIKA also supports the construction of Huntara 2 in Aceh Tamiang, which is designed to be more adaptive to climatic conditions, including the use of aluminium foil on the roof to reduce heat. This design is expected to create cooler and more comfortable housing, while also helping to reduce the physical and psychological burden on residents during the transition to permanent housing.
‘The accelerated construction of Huntara in Aceh Tamiang is expected to serve as the initial foundation for the recovery of community life, not only providing temporary housing but also reigniting hope for resilience, empowerment, and the ability to shape a better future,’ stated Agung Budi Waskito (BW), President Director of WIKA.