Introductory Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia at a Cabinet Limited Meeting in Danantara’s Housing Construction Site, Aceh Tamiang Regency, Aceh Province, January 1, 2026

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.

Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

Good afternoon,

May prosperity be upon us all,

Shalom,

Salve,

Om swastiastu.

Today, I am here to inspect the condition of Danantara’s housing construction site as Danantara’s initiative to accelerate the post-disaster recovery in three provinces. Yesterday, I visited South Tapanuli regency, and today I came back to Aceh Tamiang regency, which is one of the highly-impacted regencies.

I also know that from the reports of some parties, Minister of Home Affairs, and the Governor, that many regencies have asked why I did not come. My apologies, I have not yet visited all sites, but I have selected or I was suggested to visit the places with some ongoing significant activities, despite the fact that other regions are also having serious difficulties. However, I said to the Governor, Minister of Home Affairs, that later, insya Allah, I will try to visit the highly-impacted places. That is first.

Second, happy new year, our new year is spent in this disaster-impacted area. It is indeed our responsibility. I thank all of you. I see that all elements are working on site together. My thanks to all officials, almost all officials from ministries/institutions have initiative to work on site in designated areas and spots to check, inspect, and detect problems. We came here, once again, not because we just wanted to see, but we came here to diagnose the problems.

Sometimes, I monitor that some individuals, commentators, and so on have an unhealthy tendency to perceive the activities done by the Indonesian nation and Government as negative. So, I have heard someone criticized: why a minister came to a disaster-impacted area only to look around. Ladies and gentlemen, everything became wrong. When ministers do not come, they will be called ignorant. When the ministers come, should the ministers dig the ground? It is not like that. When officials, a leader come, they come to see if there is any shortage or trouble, and what we can do to help, what should we prioritize. That’s it.

I met the Governor, he said, “we need this and this. Sir, we suggest this.” As soon as he told me, I could check it immediately. That’s it. I believe in evidence. So, let me tell you this, Ladies and Gentlemen, leaders, Ministers, Heads of Agencies, Governors, one of the consequences of being a leader is to face insults and slanders, but we should not be offended and discouraged. We take it as corrections, it is fine. Although it is a slander, and we realize that it is not true, just take notice.

So, Ladies and Gentlemen, I believe in evidence, I prefer evidence-based practice. If you notice, I do not do many interviews with the press. It is not that I do not respect the press, but I understand Indonesian people’s psychology. Indonesian people only believe in evidence, evidence. Giving evidence is what we do now. So, if some Ministers or officials are coming, they do not come for travelling. They come, see, note, comprehend and make decisions. That’s it.

So, let’s say Danantara can prove that in eight days they can build 600 housing units, which I think it is quite good. I would like to make correction. Let me ask you, don’t you think that zinc roof is hot? Let’s see, we better find a solution, maybe an affordable solution. The solution could be to use local materials, some kind of plaited materials, such as ijuk (palm fiber) to fill the bottom layer, no need to use expensive materials, just use simple materials. Maybe just use some kind of textile fabrics put under the zinc roof. So, those kinds of things, it will depend on the creativity of the people who work on construction site. However, we must focus on how to lessen the burden of our people. We should think of that as officials and leaders.

So, about the negative talks, let us just take notice, but we should not be offended. Once again, if we do not come to visit, [they will say] it is wrong. If we come to visit, [they will also say] it is wrong. That is fine. So, our task, although I am not with you every day, because I am in the central [Government], I am thinking how to overcome this, to help you who work on site. On the other hand, we must also take care of 280 million of Indonesian people nationally.

So, Ladies and Gentlemen, some people are still questioning why it is not declared as a national disaster. Well, the thing is we have 38 provinces, this issue has impacted three provinces, there are still another 35 provinces. So, if, at the moment, we, as a nation, can handle the situation in the three provinces, then we do not have to declare it as a national disaster.

However, it does not mean that we do not take it seriously. In fact, today, of all the cabinet members, some ministers are here, two ministers are in North Aceh regency, 10 ministers are currently in Aceh province. Some other ministers are currently in other places, and we also have to address some problems in other regencies and provinces.

So, Ladies and Gentlemen, we consider it seriously and we will do our best to help. We have prepared quite a big budget to address this. However, I have also been reported by Mr. Governor, and I will talk later to some officials about the mechanism, if some parties are willing to help sincerely, as human beings, we are not supposed to refuse it as long as it is clear.

So, I said to those who want to donate, please do. Just write a letter telling what will you donate, report it to the Central Government, and we will distribute it. If they want to help, for instance, some Aceh diaspora want to help Aceh, please do. We will distribute it. Some Minang diaspora want to help Minang area, considering that a lot of Minang people are living in Jakarta. Here, Mr. Doni also comes from Minang. That is fine, please do. Maybe, some Batak people living in Java Island or abroad want to help North Sumatera province, please do.

If you donate sincerely, we will distribute it, the mechanism is we will submit it to the Governors of Aceh province, West Sumatera province, and North Sumatera province to a bank account for post-disaster purpose. Those who want to send it directly, please do. Donation from domestic sources will also be welcome.

We do not refuse donation, only that the mechanism and procedure must be clear, and it is given sincerely, because we knew that there were some parties who had helped us, but in the end, they wanted us to pay them back. However, we must stay positive. The most important thing is we work fast to ease the burden of our people everywhere. That is our goal.

So, Ladies and Gentlemen, I thank Danantara who have done a good job, building 600 housing units in a short time is an achievement. I will ask Danantara to coordinate intensively with National Agency for Disaster Management (BNPB) and regional governments, Governors, and Regents, so there will be no overlapping. You can coordinate on which party will do construction work in this spot or other spot. Please coordinate intensively with regional governments and governors. Governors will tell which areas need it most. BNPB can coordinate with Regents, so our resources will be really useful, no overlapping, not wasted. Everything must be well-directed immediately to help our people.

I am also impressed that all parties have worked brilliantly and fast. Contractors said that the bridge can be constructed in a month, but we could complete the construction in 10 days. This is something we must respect. To the officers who work on-site, our soldiers everywhere, I would like to give my appreciation. All ministries and institutions, please notice your officers who have performed well, give them appreciation, give the young officers opportunities to pursue further education and career, for the senior officers, give them priorities in other fields.

So, Ladies and Gentleman, I think that concludes my remarks. I thank you very much. I ask you to coordinate intensively because I was reported that the three provinces with heavy damages need around 90 thousand houses. Will the 15 thousand houses be part of the 90 thousand houses, we will talk about it later, and also on how to handle the slightly and moderately-damaged houses.

I conclude my remarks. Please also pay attention to schools, community health centers, and hospitals, so they can function again as soon as possible.

I conclude my remarks. (AW/LW)