Jakarta (ANTARA) - Home Affairs Minister Muhammad Tito Karnavian stated that almost all markets in flood and landslide-affected areas across Sumatra have resumed operations and started to serve customers again.
This is seen as a positive sign that local economic recovery is starting to be noticeable amid ongoing rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts.“Regarding the economy, nearly all markets are now active,” he said in a statement in Jakarta on Tuesday.
The minister noted that, based on local government reports and on-the-ground monitoring, economic activity is picking up, driven primarily by trade activities in these markets.
Karnavian underlined that the revival of market activity is a key indicator of economic recovery, noting that markets are considered the heart of the local economy, directly impacting the livelihoods of traders, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and the surrounding community.
Furthermore, he also highlighted the importance of maintaining consistent supplies of energy, such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and fuel, to ensure sustainable economic activity.
He stressed that reliable logistics and distribution are crucial factors in maintaining the stability of trade activities in disaster-stricken areas.
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The central government is urging that the rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts not only cover basic infrastructure, but also local economic recovery, including traditional markets, MSMEs, and the service sector.
Minister Karnavian stated that cross-sector synergy is key to ensuring that economic recovery remains equitable and sustainable.
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Three provinces of Sumatra: Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra, were previously hit by heavy rainfall-triggered floods and landslides in late November 2025.
According to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) records, as of January 27, the disasters claimed 1,204 lives and left 140 others missing across the three provinces, with the number of evacuees standing at around 111,800.
