Jakarta — President Prabowo Subianto emphasized that the state is fully present for the people in handling the disasters in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra. He expressed his deep appreciation to all elements of government, officials, volunteers, and the community who have worked tirelessly since the first day the disaster struck.
In a Plenary Cabinet Session at the State Palace on Monday (December 15), the President highlighted the solidarity and cross-sector coordination, which he called concrete evidence that the state is not standing idly by.
“I saw them all, almost all ministries and institutions were present. Thank you,” he said.
Prabowo also praised the involvement of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the Indonesian National Police (Polri), the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), the joint SAR team, state-owned enterprises (SOEs) such as Pertamina and PLN, and the technical ministries directly involved in the field. He stated that their presence demonstrates the state’s strong commitment to protecting the people in times of crisis.
Not only the authorities, the President also highlighted the power of the public in mutual cooperation.
“Volunteers, residents, and the community worked together to help with the evacuation process, aid distribution, and restoring access there. We are all one team, I thank you,” said Prabowo.
The President conveyed that the government had moved quickly to meet the basic needs of survivors, from clean water, portable toilets, water trucks, to humanitarian aid logistics. Infrastructure repairs, the restoration of telecommunications and electricity networks, and the construction of temporary and permanent housing are also being accelerated.
Furthermore, the central government has distributed IDR 4 billion to each affected district/city, ensuring that regions have budgetary support for the recovery phase.
Prabowo emphasized that successful disaster management is not an individual achievement.
“I am grateful. I have brothers and sisters who have worked hard, so the people are grateful to me, but I consider their gratitude to me to be gratitude to all of us,” he said.
He also emphasized that the public appreciation directed at him was part of the public perception that the central government was present. However, he believed the award truly belonged to the entire team working in the field.
“It’s the result of the collaboration of all of us, especially those in the field,” he said.
On that occasion, Prabowo also mentioned that a few regional heads had shown less loyalty during critical times. However, he assessed that the majority of regional governments had worked steadfastly and resolutely for the people.
The Executive Director of the Geodef Institute, Syahrir Rumluan, called President Prabowo’s remarks official recognition of the quality of disaster management in Sumatra.
“President Prabowo’s appreciation is not just an ordinary thank you. This is official and authentic recognition of hard work and achievements,” he said.
Syahrir cited inter-agency coordination as the key to success.
“Effective coordination demonstrates that our disaster management system is mature,” he said.
The country is considered capable of adapting quickly, minimizing loss of life, and ensuring prompt aid delivery.
“This performance sets a new gold standard in disaster management in Indonesia,” he added.
The President himself had previously delivered a statement in Central Tapanuli.
“The BNPB’s response was quite swift, the TNI’s was quite swift, and the Polri’s was quite swift.”
With total collaboration from the central and regional governments, officials, volunteers, and the community, the handling of the Sumatran disaster is a true portrait of a country that is fully present, swift, decisive, and with the people from the beginning until recovery.