Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Forestry allows the public to utilize driftwood accumulated in areas affected by flash floods in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.
The ministry's Director General of Sustainable Forest Management, Laksmi Wijayanti, on Monday, confirmed that the wood can be used by the public as building materials for houses, facilities, and infrastructure.
"The use of driftwood is solely for emergency disaster management, rehabilitation, and post-disaster recovery. This is a humanitarian measure to help communities recover," she emphasized.
According to her, this wood utilization policy aligns with a circular issued by the Directorate General of Sustainable Forest Management (PHL) on December 8, 2025, concerning the Utilization of Driftwood for Post-Flood Disaster Recovery.
"We have issued a circular addressed to the three governors in the affected areas," she said.
Wijayanti noted that the utilization of driftwood must comply with applicable legal provisions.
Her office ensures that the entire process is carried out in accordance with Law Number 18 of 2013 concerning the prevention and eradication of forest destruction.
"Driftwood can be categorized as found wood. Therefore, its handling must continue to uphold the principles of legality, traceability, and transparency. We do not want this good intention to be misused," she pointed out.
To prevent illegal logging and indications of wood laundering that are exploited during the disaster, she stated that the government has temporarily halted the utilization and transportation of logs in the three affected provinces.
"We have temporarily halted the utilization and transportation of logs to prevent any opportunity for illegal practices. The state is present, firm, and fair in this situation," she remarked.
Furthermore, the distribution and utilization of driftwood is carried out in an integrated manner and is strictly monitored, she added.
"The Ministry of Forestry is collaborating with provincial governments, district/city governments, and law enforcement officials to ensure this policy is well-targeted and prevents misuse, while also accelerating post-disaster recovery," Wijayanti said.
