Banda Aceh, Aceh (ANTARA) - Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said President Prabowo Subianto has approved restoring 2026 budget transfers to Aceh, reversing planned cuts to support post-disaster recovery efforts in the province.
Purbaya said House of Representatives (DPR) Deputy Speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad contacted President Prabowo by phone, with the finance minister also speaking, and the president agreed to return Aceh's transfers to previous levels.
He made the remarks after a coordination meeting between the DPR's disaster recovery task force and the government's rehabilitation and reconstruction team in Banda Aceh on Saturday, attended by Aceh Deputy Governor Fadhlullah.
Restoring the transfers in line with the president's approval would accelerate post-disaster recovery efforts in Aceh, Purbaya said.
He said the total transfers to be restored to the Aceh provincial government for 2026 amounted to about 1.7 trillion rupiah (around US$101 million).
Dasco said he received a request from Deputy Governor Fadhlullah to ease efficiency measures on regional transfers following disasters that hit the province.
He said the finance minister sought special discretion for Aceh, prompting Dasco to connect Purbaya directly with President Prabowo, who approved the proposal.
Lawmakers attending the meeting included Deputy Speaker Cucun Ahmad Syamsurizal and MPs Nazaruddin Dek Gam, Abdul Wachid, Andi Iwan Darmawan Aras, and T.A. Khalid.
Cabinet members present included Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian, Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo, Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Social Affairs Minister Syaifullah Yusuf, and Housing Minister Maruarar Sirait.
Deputy Governor Fadhlullah thanked President Prabowo for restoring the transfers, saying the decision would help speed up Aceh's post-disaster recovery.
He also expressed appreciation to Dasco, parliament members, the task force leadership, and Finance Minister Purbaya for their support.
Fadhlullah said Aceh's transfers, previously subject to efficiency cuts, had been restored, pending further administrative submissions.
He said the coordination meeting aimed at accelerating post-disaster recovery across the province had produced concrete follow-up steps.
According to Fadhlullah, Task Force Chairman Tito Karnavian outlined upcoming recovery measures and had begun working directly from Aceh.
He added that restoring the transfers would support accelerated recovery by provincial and district governments across Indonesia's westernmost province.
