By: Siti Aisyah Usman
President Prabowo Subianto emphasized leadership based on direct presence and concrete action in the face of floods and landslides in various regions of Sumatra.
Since early January 2026, the head of state has consistently demonstrated optimism as a key asset in driving the entire recovery process, while ensuring the state’s serious and coordinated presence among the affected communities.
President Prabowo did not use the New Year’s Eve as a purely ceremonial occasion. He chose to celebrate New Year’s Eve 2026 with evacuees in Batu Hela Village, Batang Toru, South Tapanuli Regency.
This presence conveyed a strong message that recovery is not only about infrastructure, but also about psychological support and the state’s trust in its citizens. The President expressed his hope that 2026 would bring goodness and renewed strength, especially for communities recovering from disasters.
President Prabowo’s optimism does not arise in a vacuum. The government has set clear and measurable recovery targets. On various occasions, the President emphasized that conditions in affected areas in Sumatra were targeted to recover within two to three months.
Field reports show significant progress, particularly in South Tapanuli, where transportation access has been successfully restored and no villages are completely isolated. In North Sumatra in general, the number of villages cut off from access has decreased dramatically, indicating that the acceleration of cross-sectoral work is effective.
The recovery commitment is also reflected in the program to build permanent housing for affected residents. The government is targeting the construction of approximately 15,000 housing units across Sumatra.
In Aceh Tamiang, the first 500 housing units are projected to be completed quickly as the initial stage of restoring social life. This step confirms that the state is not stopping at the emergency response phase but is instead moving quickly towards rehabilitation and reconstruction.
President Prabowo also explained the government’s reasoning for not declaring a National Disaster. This assessment is based on the country’s capacity, which is deemed still very capable of handling the situation independently and in a coordinated manner.
The government remains open to public participation, but ensures that all assistance is distributed through clear, accountable, and targeted procedures. This approach demonstrates both the country’s confidence and its prudence in disaster management.
The President’s instructions to all ministries and institutions were carried out without interruption. Ministers were asked to deploy to various affected areas to ensure the recovery process was progressing according to needs on the ground.
The President considered the presence of officials on site not merely symbolic visits, but rather a means to identify problems, record deficiencies, and make strategic decisions quickly. This work pattern strengthens coordination between the central and regional governments.
In the context of public communication, President Prabowo admitted that he rarely provides press statements regarding disaster management. This stance stems from the understanding that the Indonesian people trust concrete evidence more than narratives.
The President emphasized that the work of all his staff is based on concrete evidence on the ground as a primary principle, while reminding all staff not to be influenced by insults or criticism that can be destructive.
The government’s primary focus remains on alleviating people’s suffering and accelerating recovery in areas affected by floods and landslides.
The government’s commitment is also evident in the medium-term structural policies decided by the Head of State. President Prabowo Subianto approved the formation of the Kuala Task Force, proposed by Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin.
The task force focused on dredging shallow rivers affected by mud sedimentation, while also treating the muddy water to produce clean water for use by all affected communities. This large-scale technical operation was specifically designed to cover Aceh Tamiang, Bireuen, and other areas with similar characteristics.
Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian also enriched the strategy for disaster management by proposing the use of dredging technology commonly used by miners in Bangka Belitung.
The President then immediately responded to the proposal progressively by approving the large-scale operation without any budget constraints. The President emphasized that funding should not be a barrier.As long as it aims to protect and restore the lives of the Indonesian people, especially after a disaster like the current one.
This series of policies clearly illustrates the leadership approach of the Head of State, namely by consistently emphasizing optimism as the driving force for all parties in facing a crisis.
However, President Prabowo has not merely expressed hopes in the form of mere dreams and words, but has linked that optimism with measurable and clear targets, technical work, and the courage to make various major decisions.
Amidst the challenges of floods and landslides that have struck several regions, from Aceh to Sumatra, this optimism serves as a very concrete message that recovery is not just a mere promise from the government, but a real process that is currently underway. (*)
Political Policy Analyst – Fajar Institute for Political Studies
