The disaster in Sumatra is a national priority, and state budget funds can be used.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — Although the disaster emergency status has not been elevated, the central government ensures that the management of floods and landslides in Sumatra is a national priority. The State Revenue and Expenditure Budget, particularly the contingency fund allocation, can be utilized. Furthermore, the central government has also issued a legal framework that allows regional heads to directly allocate their Regional Revenue and Expenditure Budget funds to the areas affected by the disaster.

A week after flash floods and landslides struck North Sumatra, Aceh, and West Sumatra, the central government has yet to decide to elevate the emergency status to a national disaster. This decision has not changed even after President Prabowo Subianto visited the three provinces on December 1, 2025.

The Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs, Pratikno, stated that after visiting disaster victims directly in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra, the President has led the coordination of all ministries/agencies, the military, the police, regional governments, and state-owned enterprises. The President has instructed that the disaster in Sumatra be made a national priority. This ensures that funds and logistics are provided by the central government.

"The President has instructed that this situation be treated as a national priority, including (providing) assurance that national funds and logistics are fully available, in total, particularly during this emergency response using the Ready-to-Use Fund," said Pratikno at a press conference at the national disaster response post at the Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base in Jakarta, Wednesday (3/12/2025).

In addition to Pratikno, the press conference was also attended by Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian; Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi; Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya; Commander of the National Armed Forces General Agus Subiyanto along with three chiefs of staff; and Chief of Police General (Pol) Listyo Sigit Prabowo.

Prasetyo stated that in the State Budget (APBN) there is a Ready-to-Use Fund (DSP) allocated for disaster preparedness. Until two days ago, the available DSP stock reached approximately Rp 500 billion.

"However, the President has given direct instructions that if there is a need for an increase in the nominal amount of DSP, then an increase will be made," said Prasetyo.

DSP is a fund that is always available and reserved by the government for use in disaster emergency situations, specific circumstances, and considerations of widespread disaster risks. The usage and considerations for the use of these funds are determined by the Head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB).

Prasetyo continued, explaining that the additional funding from the state budget (APBN) doesn't only apply to the DSP. It can also be applied to several related ministries/institutions, such as the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and the Indonesian National Police (Polri), which are at the forefront of disaster management. "Of course, (the TNI and Polri) need financial resources, and we will provide that back-up," he said.

Prasetyo emphasized that for the government, the most important thing at present is disaster management by mobilizing all state resources. Regarding the state of emergency, there are several considerations that led the President not to choose to declare the disaster in Sumatra as a national disaster.

"The most important thing isn't the status, but, once again, the handling. Then, support or backup from the central government to regional, provincial, and district governments. This includes the budget, which the President has directly instructed us to fully back up for the disaster response that has befallen our brothers and sisters in the three provinces," Prasetyo said.

In addition to support from the state budget, Tito Karnavian stated that his party is also working to facilitate solidarity among regional heads to donate a portion of the savings from the regional budget to assist other regions affected by disasters.

The assistance is crucial because the regions affected by disasters generally utilize the unexpected expenditure budget (BTT). However, by the end of the year, the amount of BTT funds is very limited. "For example, the city of Lhokseumawe has only Rp 400 million left," said Tito.

To that end, on December 1, he issued a Circular Letter from the Minister of Home Affairs granting permission to regional heads to directly transfer their regional budget funds to the affected local governments. The circular also serves as a legal umbrella for regional heads to donate a portion of their regional budget funds for disaster management.

"For the regions that are strong, I know those that still have reserves, please take the time to help, both directly and indirectly," said Tito.

So far, there are several regional heads who have donated a certain amount of funds. For example, Jakarta, Bengkulu, South Sulawesi, North Kalimantan, and East Java.

In addition to focusing on flood and landslide disaster management in Sumatra, Pratikno stated that the government has also begun discussing rehabilitation and reconstruction steps post-disaster. The rehabilitation and reconstruction phase will be carried out with a 100-day and one-year work plan. This way, the public is expected to be able to monitor the government's work in a measurable manner.

He continued, the rehabilitation and reconstruction phase will still be carried out by BNPB. However, the focus is not only on providing assistance but also on building the community's future. This effort is undertaken to restore hope among the community, especially the survivors, so that they can rebuild their affected lives.

"The government's focus is not only on distributing logistical assistance such as rice and instant noodles, but also on ensuring that all citizens have hope to rebuild their lives," said Pratikno.

To anticipate similar disasters, the government continues to enhance vigilance. Moreover, the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency has reported the potential for heavy and very heavy rainfall until the end of the year, including in Aceh, North Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan, Maluku, and Papua. "We have been on alert and preparing as early as possible to minimize risks as much as possible," said Pratikno.