Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto instructed his ministers to mobilize available resources to meet the essential needs of residents affected by floods and landslides in Sumatra, including clean water and toiletries.
When contacted in Jakarta on Monday, Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya said that President Prabowo issued the order during a limited meeting at his private residence in Hambalang, Bogor, West Java, on Sunday (December 14).
“His instruction is to go all out in mobilizing heavy equipment and trucks to supply drinking water, ensure access to clean water, and install portable toilets, with a focus on regions severely hit by the disasters,” he noted.
He added that the president addressed the order specifically to Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo.
The head of state, he continued, also urged members of the Red and White Cabinet to expedite the construction of temporary and permanent housing for displaced residents to further reduce the number of evacuees staying in refugee camps.
He emphasized that President Prabowo considers it crucial for the government to help all disaster-affected people return to their homes following the widespread hazards that struck multiple cities and districts in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.
Also spotlighted during the cabinet meeting were measures to anticipate increases in public mobility and demand for food and other staple commodities ahead of the 2025 Christmas and 2026 New Year holidays.
“As the New Year holidays approach, we drew attention to food security and prices of basic goods, as well as broader developments in the national economy, including matters related to customs and taxation,” Wijaya stated.
The cabinet secretary highlighted that President Prabowo emphasized the need to expand access to transport facilities, infrastructure, and services to support smooth mobility during the year-end peak season through reduced fees for toll roads, flights, trains, and sea travel.
During the meeting, the president brought together several ministers, including Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, Foreign Affairs Minister Sugiono, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia, and Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa.
Also present were Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) Commander General Agus Subiyanto, Head of the State Intelligence Agency (BIN) M. Herindra, and Head of the State-Owned Enterprises Regulatory Agency (BP BUMN) Dony Oskaria, among others.
