Sade Begins Recovering, the Ministry of Tourism Provides Working Capital Assistance for MSMEs as well as Tourism Promotion Support.

Efforts to recover Sade Hamlet, Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) remain ongoing following the fire incident on 22 August 2026. The Ministry of Tourism is not only supporting reconstruction works for the affected area, but also assisting residents to restore their livelihoods.

Minister of Tourism Widiyanti Putri Wardhana symbolically handed over Business recovery assistance at the Sapta Pesona Building, the Ministry of Tourism headquarters, on Wednesday 30 September 2026.

For the Sade community, economic recovery forms a critical part of the recovery process after the fire. While physical construction work for the area commences, residents also require support to resume production, operate their businesses, and restore their income streams.

The Minister stated that recovery for Sade cannot focus solely on rebuilding damaged structures. Community life and livelihoods must also be restored to restart the local economic cycle.

“Physical buildings in Sade are now being rebuilt through a very strong spirit of mutual community cooperation. But at the same time, the community economy must keep moving. For this reason, we are directing the Ministry of Tourism's assistance primarily to help residents return to work, resume production, and earn income once again,” she stated during the Symbolic Handover of Sade Village Assistance event held at the Sapta Pesona Building, Ministry of Tourism office.

The provided business assistance includes 15 units of gedogan handlooms valued at IDR 52.5 million, working capital for 69 MSMEs worth IDR 517.5 million, 70 packages of weaving raw materials valued at IDR 140 million, and 43 sets of non-weaving craft tools worth IDR 107.5 million.

Total business and working equipment assistance reaches IDR 817.5 million. This support is expected to help Sade business operators resume production activities, especially for woven crafts and other local products.

Recovery efforts are not limited to equipment and capital assistance. The Ministry of Tourism has also prepared capacity building programmes for local tour guides, focusing on safety protocols, clear information delivery during the reconstruction period, and tourism service standards.

Promotion and relaunch of Sade tourism activities both during and after reconstruction also form part of this support. The government is facilitating product catalogue development, strengthening branding for Sade-origin goods, and digital marketing initiatives.

When combined, total support provided by the Ministry of Tourism for Sade's recovery amounts to IDR 1 billion.

Sade Rebuilt For Better Resilience

Regional authorities have confirmed that the Sade reconstruction process will not merely return the area to its exact pre-fire condition.

Lalu Faozal, Assistant for Economy and Development of the NTB Provincial Government, stated that reconstruction works commenced following guidance delivered by the Tourism Minister during the first post-fire coordination meeting.

Multiple priority aspects are being addressed, from proper firefighting equipment provision, installation of underground electrical networks, to sanitation and drainage system upgrades as part of the reconstruction plan.

These measures are designed to make Sade more disaster resilient, while fully preserving the cultural character and identity of the Sasak community.

Government coordination for Sade's recovery has been Running continuously since late August. During her official visit on 27 August 2026, the Tourism Minister inspected the affected area and held direct dialogue with local residents.

Regional authorities have emphasised that all recovery work will always run in parallel with efforts to protect the Sasak community's cultural identity.

Endap, Head of Sade Hamlet, stated that community deliberations with affected residents produced a formal agreement to use this reconstruction period as an opportunity to build a better Sade.

According to him, the concept of 'a better Sade' does not only relate to physical infrastructure. Destination management will also be strengthened, so that Sade remains both a living residential space and a sustainable cultural Tourism Destination.

Restarting The Community Economy

Sanah Ardinata, Head of Sade Hamlet Tourism Awareness Group, expressed appreciation for the Ministry of Tourism's continuous support that was provided from the immediate aftermath of the disaster through to the current economic recovery stage.

“Madam Minister was the first central government official that came here with full genuine concern, addressing directly the future of Sade. That alone already made us very happy, to know we have the government's attention. Today we receive this additional assistance so we can restart our businesses and bring the community economy back to life. We are incredibly grateful. Thank you very much,” stated Sanah.

For local residents, this assistance forms part of the process to restore economic activity, while also preparing Sade to welcome tourists once again.

Restoring community businesses is critical, as the tourism and handicraft sectors have always been deeply integrated with the daily life of Sade's population.

The Tourism Minister stated this assistance is intended as a bridge connecting the emergency response phase, reconstruction works, and full revival of Sade's economic and tourism activities.

“We want Sade to come alive again, to welcome tourists back, and to remain a place where the local community earns their living. Most importantly, Sade will rise again without ever losing its unique character and identity,” the Minister concluded.