TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Civil Society Coalition has formally delivered a legal notice urging President Prabowo Subianto to declare the catastrophic floods and landslides that have ravaged Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra a national disaster.
The notice was issued by 113 civil society organizations and institutions focused on legal advocacy, research, and environmental sectors.
Muhammad Isnur, Chair of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI), emphasized the coalition's deep concern over the disaster's profound impact, citing significant losses in human lives, extensive infrastructure damage, major socio-economic disruption, and severe environmental harm.
"Based on the situation in the field, we urge the President of the Republic of Indonesia to promptly declare a national disaster status," Isnur stated in a written release quoted from the YLBHI website on Wednesday, December 10, 2025.
The coalition also called on the government to ensure immediate and effective disaster management, prioritizing victims' right to prompt assistance.
As of December 8, 2025, the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) reported 974 fatalities and 298 missing persons. The death toll is expected to rise as search efforts continue, and tens of thousands of residents have been forced into temporary refuge.
"The current situation is highly vulnerable, particularly for women, children, persons with disabilities, and the elderly," Isnur emphasized.
Isnur argued that the current crisis risks victims being denied inclusive healthcare services and facing neglect of reproductive health rights. The lack of adequate aid has exacerbated existing disparities in women's access to clean water, safe sanitation, sanitary products, maternal health services, and protection within refugee camps.
"We anticipate that the number of casualties will continue to climb due to limited evacuation access and the slow mobilization of aid," he added.
Massive infrastructure failure, including road closures and communication network outages, is severely hindering evacuation efforts, medical services, and the distribution of logistics. Numerous areas remain isolated, leaving residents in extremely vulnerable conditions without adequate supplies.
"This situation underscores the urgent need for quick intervention by the central government to prioritize the safety of the people without being hindered by bureaucratic procedures," he stated.
The economic burden on the community is further intensified by the vast socio-economic losses: thousands of destroyed homes, ruined farms and businesses, and a complete cessation of economic activity. Many residents have lost their livelihoods and are struggling to meet basic needs. According to Isnur, recovery on this scale is impossible for local governments to manage alone, necessitating full intervention from the central government, including the mobilization of the national budget, technical support, and comprehensive reconstruction plans.
"Victims, as affected individuals, have constitutional rights. They not only demand compensation for loss of lives, property, and disrupted healthcare access from the state but also from private companies," he asserted.
Calls for Accountability and Good Governance
In addition to life-saving efforts, the coalition stressed the need for rigorous law enforcement. Boy Jerry Even Sembiring, Executive Director of the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (WALHI), argued that declaring a national disaster status would enable comprehensive, cross-regional investigations to uncover structural causes. Crucially, this status would ensure the legal prosecution of those responsible for environmental damage and governance negligence.
"The declaration of a national disaster is not just an administrative status; it is an urgent step to save lives, expedite gender-sensitive handling, and ensure the state fully protects its people," Jerry affirmed.
Jerry concluded that the follow-up to a national disaster declaration must include the application of good governance principles, along with the involvement and oversight of various parties. He stated that the situations in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra have met all the necessary indicators.
"We urge the President to promptly make decisions for the sake of humanity, safety, and the future of the affected communities," he said.
However, the central government has defended its decision not to declare a national disaster. Coordinating Minister of Human Development and Culture (PMK), Pratikno, stated that President Prabowo Subianto had already ordered all ministries, agencies, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the National Police (Polri), and the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) to provide full assistance.
"All ministries and agencies, including TNI, Polri, BNPB, and all components, were ordered by the president to maximize resources to handle this disaster in Sumatra," Pratikno said at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base, Jakarta, on Wednesday, December 3, 2025.
Pratikno emphasized that national resources had been mobilized to ensure maximum disaster management. "So, once again, this is truly a full-blown national response. The central government has already deployed resources there," he reiterated.
President Prabowo himself stated that the current regional disaster emergency status is considered sufficient to handle the floods and landslides in Sumatra. "We are constantly monitoring. I think the current situation is already sufficient," Prabowo said during his visit to Tapanuli Tengah Regency, North Sumatra, on Monday, December 1, 2025.
Hendrik Yaputra and Sultan Abdurrahman contributed to this report
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