New Roads and New Economic Hopes in Kute Riyem | The End

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Welcome back to discuss the opening of a new road in Kute Riyem village, Central Aceh, Indonesia. This is the final of two posts.

To ensure the work is completed on time, the Special Forces Commander of the Iskandar Muda Military Command, Cavalry Colonel Kuswanto, accompanied by the Commander of the 0106 Aceh Tengah Military District Command, Lieutenant Colonel (Inf) Raden Herman Sasmita, directly inspected the progress of the road construction for farmers' mobility.

"In addition to opening the new road, one of the project's objectives is also the construction of a wooden bridge and the construction of culverts at five points," the Dandim told the media.

The road is currently in imperfect condition because it has not been completed. Tree branches are still visible along the roadside. In some places, the incline is still steep, requiring a vehicle's engine to navigate. However, as the road is being completed, it will be ready for use by residents.

The Dandim added that the road construction prioritizes forest preservation. A limited number of trees were cut down and used to build the wooden bridge. The remaining wood will also be used to build a small bridge. "So, no wood is wasted," said the Dandim (District Military Commander), while reminding residents to avoid burning forests, as it can damage the environment.

Jullimursyida, PhD, Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business at Malikussaleh University, stated that the road opening under the TMMD Program provides economic and social benefits and increases the value of land and assets in Kute Riyem Village.

"Furthermore, it also accelerates access to public services, such as healthcare workers, education workers, and village government officials, allowing them to reach remote areas more quickly. Distribution of agricultural and plantation logistics becomes easier," said Jullimursyida, who has conducted several studies in Central Aceh.

Adequate agricultural infrastructure, Jullimursyida continued, can improve the quality of life and community expectations. "In the long term, it can encourage sustainable village economic growth. This can open up opportunities for nature tourism in Linge," he said.

Contacted separately, Afifuddin Acal, Head of the Advocacy and Campaign Division of the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (WALHI) Aceh, stated that the construction of new roads in forest areas brings new hope but also could trigger new disasters if not managed carefully.

"These roads must not be used as entry points for outsiders who have no social ties to the area to exploit the forest," he said on Monday, November 10, 2025.

According to Acal, to suppress the potential for encroachment, there needs to be joint regulation between the local government, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and the Indonesian National Police (Polri), and the community. "For example, establishing integrated monitoring posts, agreed-upon boundary maps, and roadside vegetation restoration activities.

Communities also need to be encouraged to become guardians of their own space through forest watch groups or labor-intensive conservation programs," explained Afifuddin, a former journalist in Banda Aceh.

He emphasized the importance of balancing the community's economic needs with environmental sustainability, as the opening of new roads in forest areas has become a significant challenge for many remote villages. [Ayi Jufridar]

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