Reconstruction of 75 homes destroyed by fire in Sade Traditional Village, Rembitan Village, Pujut District, Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), has officially been promised, though funding constraints mean the process will take time.
Central Lombok Regent Lalu Pathul Bahri said the rebuilding of 75 houses, one mosque, a museum, and several berugak (traditional gazebos) in Sade Traditional Village will proceed in stages, while officials await formal confirmation of government funding sources.
“As explained earlier by the Governor, this reconstruction will happen gradually. That said, we understand the community wants this done as quickly as possible,” Pathul said following the Nyemulak ceremony, a traditional cornerstone-laying ritual, for the mosque and homes at Sade Traditional Village on Thursday, September 3, 2026.
Preserving Historical Value in the Rebuild
According to Pathul, the Detailed Engineering Design (DED) for the reconstruction is still being developed by the University of Mataram (Unram). He emphasized that the new designs must not abandon the historical value and traditional appearance that originally defined Sade Village.
“Even so, the historical value has to be preserved, because this matters for the continuity we pass on to future generations,” he said.
The Gerindra Party politician explained that reconstruction efforts will begin with several priority structures, including the mosque, museum, and main residential buildings, to ensure the community’s basic needs are addressed as quickly as possible.
“That’s exactly why the government is prioritizing the museum’s construction early on, so the historical meaning behind this fire isn’t lost. The old and the new need to come together,” he said.
Traditional Materials Will Stay
Pathul noted that Sade Traditional Village’s architectural character will be preserved going forward, with reconstruction maintaining traditional building materials such as thatched grass roofing, bamboo fencing, and half-brick walls, the same elements that originally defined the village’s identity, despite their role in how quickly the fire spread.
Meanwhile, the electrical system for the rebuilt village is still being designed jointly by Unram and PLN (Indonesia’s state electricity company), with both parties working to find the best possible solution to prevent a similar fire from happening again.
“As for what the electrical setup will look like, of course we want the best outcome for the community. I want to express appreciation to everyone involved in rebuilding for our people,” he said.
Support From Donations
Separately, Pathul confirmed that affected residents have already received financial assistance from various donations, including contributions from Presidential Special Envoy Raffi Ahmad and several other donors.
Additional donations from other contributors have reportedly been pledged but have not yet been officially received.
“When it comes to donations, I always disclose exactly where they’re coming from. On top of that, the funds aren’t sent directly to us, they go specifically to individuals the local community trusts,” he said.
What This Means for the Community and Future Visitors
Sade Traditional Village has long stood as one of Lombok’s most significant cultural landmarks, and this rebuilding effort represents an important step toward restoring both the community’s homes and the site’s role as a living piece of Sasak heritage.
For travelers who have visited Sade before or are considering a future trip, the ongoing reconstruction is a reminder of how deeply this village’s traditional architecture is tied to both its cultural identity and, unfortunately, its vulnerability to fire.
