December 16, 2025 | 07:19 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto admitted to being contacted by several other world leaders to assist in the handling of the Sumatra disaster. The Head of State expressed gratitude for the offers. However, Prabowo feels that the Indonesian government is capable of addressing this disaster.
"I was called by many world leaders wanting to send aid. I said thank you, for your concern. We are capable. Indonesia is capable of handling this," he said during a cabinet meeting at the State Palace, Central Jakarta, on Monday, December 15, 2025.
He stated that the government has been deploying aid since the beginning to handle the disaster. He also thanked the TNI (Indonesian National Armed Forces) and the Polri (Indonesian National Police) who have provided assistance.
"So everyone is deploying without too much demand from me, taking the initiative. I thank the TNI commander, the National Police Chief, the chiefs of staff, everyone who is present and taking action on their own initiative," he said.
Prabowo also mentioned several groups pushing for the declaration of a national disaster status for the Sumatra disaster. Prabowo asserted that the government had already deployed aid for disaster management. He claimed that the situation is under control.
"Some are clamoring to have this declared a national disaster. We have already deployed aid, this is three provinces out of 38 provinces. So, the situation is under control. I constantly monitor it," he said.
Prabowo plans to immediately establish a post-disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction agency for Sumatra. He also plans to build temporary and permanent housing for the disaster-affected victims.
He received a report from the Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Maruarar Sirait who will begin building 2,000 houses starting this week. "It's possible that these houses could immediately become permanent homes," he said.
Prior to this, the government had not opened the door for other countries to channel aid funds for the handling of the Sumatra disaster. State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi stated that the government is still able to address all the disaster issues in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.
"We feel that the government is still capable of addressing all the problems that we face," said Prasetyo at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base, Jakarta, on Wednesday, December 3, 2025.
According to Prasetyo, many countries are paying attention to this flood disaster. There are also other countries that want to provide assistance. However, this Gerindra politician stated that the government is still capable of addressing various issues. The government has sufficient food and fuel reserves.
"This may include using methods that may not be normal," said Prasetyo. "We strive to do air drops because it is in line with the disaster conditions in the field."
Prasetyo claimed that the ready-to-use fund allocation in the state budget is sufficient to fund disaster management. The fund allocation available is Rp500 billion this year.
Read: Prabowo Says Disaster Response Reflects His Leadership, Responsibility
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