January 1, 2026 | 02:56 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian president Prabowo Subianto spent New Year’s Eve 2026 at a temporary shelter with residents affected by recent disasters in South Tapanuli Regency, North Sumatra, delivering a message on resilience and the need to protect the environment.
Speaking to evacuees, Prabowo said Indonesia’s vast natural wealth also makes it vulnerable to natural disasters, underscoring the importance of vigilance and environmental stewardship.
“Our country is very large, very beautiful, and very prosperous, but we must remain alert to nature. That is why we must respect, protect, and preserve it,” Prabowo said, as quoted by the Presidential Communication Team on Thursday, January 1, 2026.
At the shelter, Prabowo urged residents to remain strong and united in the face of adversity. “We must stay resilient and keep our spirits high. Most importantly, we must work together to overcome these difficulties,” he said.
Prabowo spent the evening in Batu Hula Village, Batang Toru Subdistrict, joining residents as they welcomed the arrival of 2026. Shortly before midnight, he invited those present to sing together to mark the New Year.
“We still have three minutes. Let us sing ‘Tanah Airku’,” he said.
Prabowo led the singing of the patriotic song alongside residents, joined by Foreign Minister Sugiono and State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi. He later sang another national classic, Rayuan Pulau Kelapa.
Earlier on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, Prabowo traveled to disaster-affected areas in Sumatra. He and a limited delegation arrived at Raja Sisingamangaraja XII Airport in North Tapanuli Regency that afternoon.
During his visit to South Tapanuli, Prabowo inspected the construction of a Bailey Bridge over the Garoga River, which is being built jointly by local authorities and residents. The bridge is intended to restore a key transportation link that was severed by the disaster.
Prabowo also visited evacuation shelters to ensure displaced residents were receiving adequate assistance and that relief aid was being distributed effectively.
In addition to North Sumatra, Prabowo had planned to visit Aceh as part of his disaster response tour. He initially intended to spend New Year’s Eve there, but the plan was canceled due to adverse weather conditions.
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