Jakarta, 7 January 2026 – The Minister of Creative Economy / Head of the Creative Economy Agency, Teuku Riefky Harsya, together with the Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment, Abdul Muhaimin Iskandar, discussed concrete measures to empower the creative economy and deliver innovative creative solutions for post-disaster recovery in Sumatra. This Ministerial-Level Meeting reflects a collaborative, cross-ministerial strategy aimed at accelerating transitional recovery interventions for affected communities.
The Minister of Creative Economy, Teuku Riefky Harsya, attended the Ministerial-Level Meeting on “Post-Disaster” at the Main Meeting Room of the Coordinating Ministry for Community Empowerment, Jakarta, Wednesday (7/1/2026).
“The Ministry of Creative Economy, which operates under the coordination of the Coordinating Ministry for Community Empowerment, continues to report on programs that have been prepared for post-disaster response. Beyond providing assistance, we are present to ensure that the creative economies in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra can rise again,” said Minister of Creative Economy Teuku Riefky Harsya following the meeting at the Coordinating Minister’s Meeting Room on Wednesday, 7 January 2026.
The Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency expects that a number of strategic initiatives can be implemented through a holistic, integrated approach, encompassing economic recovery, competency development, and access to the creative ecosystem. Several collaborative programs have been formulated, including batik creation training, creative residencies, cooking training with master chefs, technical workshops on garment sewing, painting workshops for children, craft acceleration (kriyasi) for embroidery and weaving, as well as packaging design workshops for creative economy practitioners.
“As for the programs to be implemented, we continue to coordinate with cross-ministerial partners, institutions, and regional governments so that interventions can be directly targeted at affected creative economy practitioners in the regions. The Ministry of Creative Economy also collaborates with associations, artists, and private sector partners who wish to participate in rebuilding disaster-affected areas more effectively, enabling creative economy practitioners to become productive again,” added Minister of Creative Economy Teuku Riefky Harsya.
Doc. Bureau for Communication, Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency
On the other hand, cross-ministerial synchronization continues to align efforts to promote tangible post-disaster empowerment for affected communities. The Coordinating Ministry for Community Empowerment is also collaborating with philanthropic institutions, zakat organizations, and humanitarian organizations to ensure that recovery efforts are integrated and well targeted. Data from the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) indicates that 242,174 people remain displaced, while 175,126 houses have been damaged.
“We are determined that recovery, rehabilitation, and reconstruction following the emergency response phase must begin with empowerment measures so that communities remain productive, both in terms of income and innovation as well as creativity to continue progressing. We have also conducted asset mapping of affected areas and built synergized empowerment roadmaps together with philanthropic institutions, zakat bodies, and community-driven organizations,” said Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment Abdul Muhaimin Iskandar.
In post-disaster recovery efforts, the Coordinating Ministry for Community Empowerment works in synergy with ministries and agencies under its coordination to promote targeted and sustainable community empowerment policies. These efforts aim to prevent the emergence of new poverty in disaster-affected areas, accelerate economic ecosystem recovery, and restore community self-reliance more rapidly.
Doc. Bureau for Communication, Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency
During the meeting, Minister of Creative Economy Teuku Riefky Harsya was accompanied by the Secretary of the Ministry of Creative Economy / Principal Secretary Dessy Ruhati and the Director of Strategic Studies and Management Agus Syarip Hidayat. Also present were Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf; Minister of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Maman Abdurrahman; Minister for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (P2MI) Mukhtarudin; Deputy Minister of Cooperatives Ferry Juliantono; Deputy Minister of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions Ahmad Riza Patria; President Director of BPJS Health Ali Ghufron Mukti; and President Director of BPJS Employment Pramudya Iriawan Buntoro.
Kiagoos Irvan Faisal
Acting Head of the Bureau for Communication
Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency
