President Prabowo Ensures Budget, Concrete Steps for Disaster Recovery and Handling

President Prabowo Subianto delivers directives to accelerate rehabilitation and reconstruction process in disaster affected regions at the Plenary Cabinet Meeting held at the State Palace, Jakarta, Monday (12/15). (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/Laily Rachev)

President Prabowo Subianto delivered directives on accelerating rehabilitation and reconstruction process in disaster-affected regions during the Plenary Cabinet Meeting held at the State Palace, Jakarta, Monday (12/15).

The President stated that the overall situation remains under control and is being directly monitored by the Government.

“The situation is under control. I am continuously monitoring it and the Government has planned to promptly establish an Agency or Task Force for Rehabilitation and Reconstruction,” said President Prabowo in his opening remarks.

He explained that the Government will soon build temporary and permanent housing for affected residents. The construction project is set to begin soon. “I received a report from the Minister of Public Housing that we may start building 2,000 houses as early as this Sunday. These houses can serve as permanent residences,” the President said.

The President assured that the disaster response budget has been allocated through the State Budget. He emphasized that this funding availability is sourced from the Government’s efficiency policies implemented since the start of his term.

“It is precisely because we have enforced efficiency, reduced all possibilities of corruption and leakage, so that we now have the funds,” stated the President.

President Prabowo also noted that the Central Government has directly disbursed operational funds to affected regional governments, beyond recovery allocations. “I immediately instructed all governors in affected regions to receive tactical operational funds of Rp20 billion. All regents and mayors in 52 affected regencies and cities received Rp4 billion respectively. Three days after my instruction, the funds must already be received by all regencies,” he said.

In addition to budget support, President Prabowo confirmed the deployment of substantial personnel and support equipment to affected areas. He also mentioned detailed assistance, including heavy machinery and accelerated restoration of basic infrastructure.

“As many as 1,000 heavy equipment units have been delivered, including trucks, excavators, clean water tanks, and drinking water supplies. Yesterday, we added more heavy equipment, drinking water trucks, clean water reserves, and portable toilets. We are working on 50 Bailey bridges, with 7 already completed,” the President remarked.

Closing his directives, President Prabowo stressed that recovery requires time and caution, particularly regarding public safety and restoration of basic services. “Activities may fully return to normal in 2–3 months,” he remarked. (BPMI) (EST/MMB)