Sade Residents Confide in Minister of Tourism, Want to Return to the 1970s Without Electricity

Minister of Tourism (Menpar) Widiyanti Putri Wardhana visited the fire victims of the Sade Traditional Village, in Rembitan Village, Central Lombok, Thursday (27/8/2026). Residents used this moment to express their complaints and wishes after the disaster which destroyed 75 houses and 69 art shops in the Sade Traditional Village on Saturday night (27/8/2026).

During her visit, Widiyanti listened to the complaints and wishes of residents affected by the fire in the Sade Traditional Village. One of those who submitted the complaint was Sanah Ardinata. He said that he and other residents wanted their village to be rebuilt like it was in the 1970s, when there was no electricity.

Sanah said that since the fire incident which destroyed the building which was passed down from generation to generation, they have now lost their place of residence and livelihood. Because, Sanah said, it was not only the house that was destroyed but also the weaving equipment and other valuables.

"This is our inheritance from our parents, our grandparents, we lost everything in one night. We want to rebuild everything," said Sanah in front of Widiyanti, Thursday (27/8/2026).

Sanah said that almost all residents who live and live in the Sade Traditional Village have agreed to rebuild Sade like it was in the past. In fact, Sanah said, several residents were already looking for materials to build houses which had been their residence and economic source.

"We are aware that for the past 25 years Sade has been chaotic, too commercial and so on. So our concept is Sade reborn, born again. We want this Sade to be truly authentic," said Sanah in front of Widiyanti.

Sanah admitted that she and dozens of family heads in the Sade Traditional Village had prepared materials to rebuild their houses. The reason is that they have to compete with the rainy season which can disrupt the development process.

The rebuilding of this traditional village, Sanah said, was without using cement, without electricity and using LPG gas as modern cooking equipment. Everything will prioritize traditional methods like the 1970s.

"We want to return to the traditional traditional village. Does that mean there is no electricity? Yes, we will go back to the past using firewood and coconut oil lamps," he said.

Sanah said residents would consider having electricity for Sade in the future. Because the demand for electricity continues, this was conveyed directly by the Minister of Tourism.