President Prabowo Subianto approved the formation of the Kuala Task Force proposed by Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, whose main focus is to dredge shallow rivers due to mud accumulation in disaster-affected areas and process the muddy water into clean water.
In a limited meeting in Aceh Tamiang Regency, Aceh Province, Thursday, Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin explained to President Prabowo his strategy for dredging rivers that flow into the sea.
According to the Minister of Defense, dredging can help remove the accumulated mud at the bottom of the river, as well as bring heavy equipment closer to land.
"We and the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) have a concept, for example, that the Tamiang River is currently experiencing shallowing. The Tamiang River can flow into the river, and its water can originate from the sea. We are carrying out two activities simultaneously: one is deepening the river, and the other involves bringing in heavy equipment so it can penetrate (near land, ed.), while also clearing away logs and other debris. This is a major effort that we must undertake," Sjafrie told President Prabowo during a closed meeting.
The Minister of Defense continued that he had spoken with Deputy Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces, General Tandyo Budi Revita, regarding the dredging operation.
"Not only in Tamiang, but we also have to work on it in Bireuen. So, we're doing the same in Aceh. Let's see what happens in Sibolga, for example. So, from the sea, we've deepened the dam all the way to the river so that ships no longer need to carry heavy equipment by land, but can instead go directly to the nearest point," the Minister of Defense continued.
