Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has affirmed the government’s readiness to augment the budget for natural disaster management. However, this increase is contingent upon a formal request from the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB). Purbaya’s statement comes amidst a series of significant natural disasters impacting various regions, including Aceh, West Sumatra, and North Sumatra.
Addressing the current financial landscape, Purbaya highlighted that the BNPB still holds over Rp 500 billion in readily available funds. “Should additional funding be required, we are also prepared to allocate more,” Purbaya stated after attending the Kadin Indonesia National Leadership Meeting on Monday, December 1st. This underscores the government’s proactive stance in ensuring adequate resources for disaster response.
The Finance Minister further assured that the Ministry of Finance possesses sufficient budgetary capacity to meet any additional demands from the BNPB. He clarified that the allocation of these funds would follow a formal submission from the agency. “Ultimately, it hinges on the BNPB’s request,” Purbaya emphasized. The mechanism for supplementing the budget involves a special supplementary spending process, ensuring swift processing by the Ministry of Finance once a proposal is officially received.
Purbaya affirmed the availability of funds not only for immediate response but also for long-term recovery efforts, including rehabilitation. “How much is needed? We have enough funds, including those earmarked for rehabilitation,” he noted. However, he remained cautious about confirming whether this additional budget would encompass social protection initiatives, particularly for communities affected by the disasters. He reiterated, “It will depend on the specifics of BNPB’s proposal, but rest assured, the funds are sufficient.”
This commitment from the Ministry of Finance aligns with earlier pledges made by President Prabowo Subianto, who promised swift action to repair damaged village infrastructure across Sumatra following widespread flooding. The President had previously stated that the central government is optimizing its budget efficiency to ensure aid from Jakarta reaches affected regions more effectively and optimally.
The government is actively working to accelerate the restoration of critical infrastructure. This includes repairing roads severed by landslides and rebuilding damaged bridges to swiftly restore mobility for residents. “We will promptly reopen all impassable routes. Damaged bridges will be repaired without delay,” President Prabowo declared in Kutacane, Southeast Aceh, on Monday, December 1st, as broadcast via the Presidential Secretariat’s YouTube channel.
Summary
Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa affirmed the government’s readiness to augment the budget for natural disaster management, contingent upon a formal request from the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB). He noted that BNPB currently holds over Rp 500 billion in available funds, but assured the Ministry of Finance has sufficient capacity to allocate more. This commitment comes amid significant natural disasters affecting regions like Aceh, West Sumatra, and North Sumatra.
Purbaya emphasized that additional funds would be allocated following a formal submission and swift processing, covering both immediate response and long-term rehabilitation efforts. This commitment aligns with President Prabowo Subianto’s earlier pledges to expedite the repair of damaged village infrastructure, such as roads and bridges, across affected areas in Sumatra. The government aims to ensure aid reaches regions effectively and restores mobility swiftly.
