The Presidential Palace has clarified the government’s decision not to designate the devastating floods and landslides that have struck Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra as a national disaster. This announcement comes amid ongoing discussions regarding the scale of the catastrophe and the appropriate governmental response.
Minister of State Secretary, Prasetyo Hadi, emphasized that the government’s primary focus remains on accelerating victim handling and ensuring the swift repair of critical infrastructure affected by the calamity. He underscored the urgency of practical intervention over formal declarations, highlighting the comprehensive mobilization of resources already underway.
Prasetyo Hadi further elaborated that the government has deployed all available national resources, including personnel and logistical support from the TNI (Indonesian Armed Forces), Polri (National Police), Basarnas (National Search and Rescue Agency), and various ministries, to assist with disaster relief efforts in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra. This extensive deployment, he noted, demonstrates that the government is already operating as if it were a national disaster situation.
“What matters most is not the status itself, but the direct handling and the unwavering support from the central government to the provincial and district administrations, including financial provisions,” Prasetyo Hadi stated at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base in East Jakarta on Wednesday (3/12).
The Gerindra Party politician also mentioned that there are several factors influencing the government’s decision not to declare a national disaster status, which cannot be disclosed to the public. Nevertheless, he firmly asserted that this decision in no way impedes the ongoing efforts to mitigate the impact of the floods and landslides across Sumatra.
“Numerous considerations are at play, and there are aspects that cannot be publicly conveyed regarding these deliberations,” Prasetyo added, reiterating the complexity behind the official stance.
To date, the government has dispatched over 500,000 tons of humanitarian aid to communities isolated by disrupted transportation routes. Priority items distributed to those affected by the disaster include staple foods, ready-to-eat meals, medicines, tents, and blankets, addressing the immediate needs of the population.
In a significant development, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture, Pratikno, announced that President Prabowo Subianto has instructed that the management of the floods and landslides in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra be treated as a current national priority. This presidential directive elevates the response to the highest level of government attention.
This presidential instruction guarantees the full mobilization of necessary budget and logistics through ready-to-use funds, ensuring an unhindered flow of resources. According to Pratikno, this approach is expected to significantly accelerate all phases of disaster management, from resident evacuation and aid distribution to initial recovery efforts on the ground. “There is an assurance that national funds and logistics are fully available. One example during this emergency response phase is the utilization of ready-to-use funds,” he confirmed on the same occasion.
Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has released an interim report detailing the tragic human toll. The floods and landslides across the three Sumatran provinces have claimed 753 lives, with 220 fatalities in Aceh, 234 in West Sumatra, and 299 in North Sumatra. Furthermore, 650 individuals remain missing, and 2,600 have sustained injuries. Overall, this widespread calamity has impacted 3.3 million people across 49 regencies and cities in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.
Summary
The Presidential Palace has clarified its decision not to declare the devastating floods and landslides in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra as a national disaster. Minister Prasetyo Hadi emphasized that the government prioritizes accelerating victim handling and infrastructure repair, stating that all national resources are already deployed as if it were a national disaster. He underscored that direct handling and central government support, including financial provisions, are more crucial than a formal status, despite undisclosed factors influencing this decision.
President Prabowo Subianto has instructed that the management of these disasters be treated as a national priority, guaranteeing full mobilization of budget and logistics through ready-to-use funds. The government has dispatched over 500,000 tons of humanitarian aid to communities isolated by disrupted transportation routes. The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) reported 753 lives lost, 650 missing, and 2,600 injured, affecting 3.3 million people across 49 regencies and cities in the three provinces.
