The President Directly Monitors Field Response Efforts in Disaster-Related Areas in Sumatra
Aceh – President Prabowo Subianto arrived at Sultan Iskandar Muda International Airport, Aceh Besar, Sunday (7/12) morning, to directly monitor the handling of flash floods and landslides in the Sumatra region.
The PK-GRD presidential plane landed at 10:21 WIB and the President disembarked at around 10:30 WIB before continuing his journey to Bireuen Regency.
This visit marks President Prabowo’s second visit to Aceh since the disaster of November 25, 2025.
The President was welcomed by Minister of Defense Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and Governor of Aceh Muzakir Manaf.
From the airport, the President and a number of state officials departed using a Caracal helicopter for Bireuen.
In Bireuen, the President inspected the Bailey bridge on the vital Medan-Banda Aceh route, then inspected aid distribution and refugee camps. In his statement after inspecting the Teupin Mane Bailey Bridge, the President reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring food security.
“We will send food from elsewhere. We still have ample reserves. Then there are the KUR debts. Because this is a natural disaster, we will write them off, and farmers need not worry. This is not negligence, but a forced situation, force majeure,” said the President.
The President also held dialogues with the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and the Indonesian National Police (Polri), the Public Works (PU) team, volunteers, and affected residents. He assessed that all agencies had worked optimally.
“So, after I’ve seen the situation, all agencies are working well. They’re working together, shoulder to shoulder with the people, the local government, the police, and the military,” the Head of State added.
To accelerate recovery, the President appointed Army Chief of Staff General Maruli Simanjuntak as the commander for accelerated repairs.
“I will appoint the Army Chief of Staff to the task force to accelerate bridge repairs to assist the Public Works Department and local governments, as they have numerous engineering troops, construction troops, development troops, and territorial troops. So, they can assist immediately,” the President emphasized.
At the same time, Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf (Gus Ipul) said that the Ministry of Social Affairs continues to strengthen disaster management in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.
“We continue to coordinate and collaborate with all parties,” said Gus Ipul in his statement.
He reported that Rp66.7 billion in aid had been distributed, including public kitchens, logistics, and the deployment of Tagana to all affected areas.
BNPB recorded that the disaster hit 52 districts/cities with 916 deaths, 274 missing, 4.2 thousand injured, and more than 105,900 houses damaged.
The government ensures that all recovery efforts are carried out quickly and in a coordinated manner so that community activities can quickly return to normal.
