Masrang and Cahaya from Aceh: The Story of PLN Officers who Lightened Hope in the Darkness

JAKARTA - PLN Nusa Daya electricity network maintenance officer, Masrang, still remembers clearly the date of December 7, 2025. From Sumbawa, West Nusa Tenggara, he left home and his two daughters for an unusual task: joining the PLN Nusa Daya Operation Control Assistance (BKO) team sent to Langkahan, Aceh, a dark area after being hit by floods.

At the age of 50, some people choose jobs that are closer to their families. But for Masrang, the call of duty is a humanitarian call. "The power grid there is paralyzed. I asked my wife and children for permission to leave, even though the area is not completely safe," he said.

The journey to Langkahan is not a short journey. He traveled two full days through land, sea, and air, until finally arriving on December 9, 2025.

There, darkness is not only about the lights going out, but also about life coming to a standstill. Schools are not running normally, people's activities are limited, and nights feel much longer.

In the midst of busy repairing the electricity network, one event left a strong impression on Masrang. A little girl approached him. Her age was about the same as her youngest child at home.

"With a soft voice, the child asked for clothes - not toys, not food. Masrang was silent. His tears fell. "I immediately remembered my child at home. I gave it to him. Our food reserves, instant noodles and clothes are just like that," he said softly.

In the darkness of Aceh, Masrang seemed to see the face of his daughter in Sumbawa. The tears did not stop his steps. It became an energy that strengthened the determination.

Together with the team, Masrang worked day and night - climbing poles, pulling cables, repairing damaged networks. "While in Langkahan, heavy rain continued to fall until our clothes were never dry," he said.

For him, turning on the electricity is not just turning on the lights, but turning on hope: so that children can learn again, residents can be active, and the night is no longer scary.

Masrang is not alone. Together with thousands of other PLN officers, he helped turn on Aceh which was once dark. They rebuilt the collapsed electricity poles, repaired the transformer, and repaired the submerged power plant.

For Masrang - who is not a civil servant and not a policymaker - the Aceh flame is a reflection of his spirit to continue to work. Until the end of December 2025, the task will be completed. Masrang returned to Sumbawa with fatigue in his body, but also pride in his chest. He is not a civil servant, nor a policymaker. He is only a field officer.

In Langkahan, the light that has returned is proof that recovery is not only about machines and networks, but about people like Masrang who are willing to leave home to light up hope.

In Langkahan, Masrang witnessed that behind the light that came back on, there were tears, sacrifices, and a father's love for children he had never even met.