Why Not a National Disaster?

The Cabinet Secretary, Teddy Indra Wijaya, explained that President Prabowo instructed the government to treat the situation as a national priority, rather than formally declaring it a national disaster. This approach ensures that resources, funding, and logistics are mobilized fully at the national level.

Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture, Pratikno, clarified that all ministries and agencies, including the military, police, and BNPB (National Disaster Management Agency), are directed to respond with full capacity.

“All agencies have been instructed by the President to be extra responsive, focusing on rescue operations, distribution of aid, and recovery of essential facilities,” Pratikno said.

Understanding National Disaster Status in Indonesia

Under Law No. 24 of 2007 on Disaster Management, a national disaster is defined as an event with a scale and impact that exceeds the capacity of provincial governments to handle independently. Key considerations for declaring a national disaster include:

• Number of casualties

• Property damage

• Infrastructure destruction

• Geographic coverage of the disaster

• Socioeconomic impacts

Currently, the floods and landslides in Sumatra are handled at the national priority level, which still ensures comprehensive mobilization of resources but stops short of the formal legal declaration of a national disaster.

Looking Ahead

While debates continue over the technical classification of the Sumatra floods, the government’s full-scale national response demonstrates Indonesia’s commitment to mitigating the disaster’s effects and restoring affected communities. Coordination between the central government, local authorities, and emergency agencies continues to be the focus in the coming weeks.