January 1, 2026 | 06:30 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has said the government is open to receiving public and private donations to support disaster response efforts in Sumatra, stressing that any assistance must follow clear and transparent distribution mechanisms.
Speaking at a disaster management meeting in Aceh Tamiang, Aceh, on Thursday, January 1, 2026, Prabowo said he had received reports from Aceh Governor Muzakir Manaf—widely known as Mualem—that several parties had expressed interest in providing aid.
“I have been informed by the governor, and I will discuss with other officials how the mechanism should work if there are sincere parties who wish to help,” Prabowo said, as quoted by the Presidential Secretariat.
The president emphasized that the government would not turn away assistance, provided its purpose and distribution process are clearly defined. “As human beings, would we reject help? Of course not—as long as everything is clear,” he said.
Prabowo also welcomed contributions from the Indonesian diaspora, both at home and abroad, encouraging them to formally notify the central government so that aid could be coordinated and distributed effectively to affected areas.
“For example, if members of the Acehnese diaspora feel compelled to help their home region, please do so. We will facilitate the distribution,” said the former defense minister.
He added that regional administrations could open dedicated donation accounts for post-disaster recovery. Donations could be sent directly, whether from within Indonesia or overseas, as long as procedures were followed. “We will not reject assistance. What matters is that the mechanism and accountability are clear,” he said.
However, Prabowo stressed that aid must be given in good faith, noting past experiences where assistance came with expectations of repayment.
“It must be sincere. We have been helped before, but there were also cases where people later demanded something in return,” he said.
Meanwhile, Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) reported that floods and landslides across Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra had claimed at least 1,154 lives as of Wednesday evening, December 31, 2025.
Aceh recorded the highest death toll, with 527 fatalities, followed by North Sumatra with 365 deaths and West Sumatra with 262.
BNPB also confirmed that 165 people remain missing, including 31 in Aceh, 60 in North Sumatra, and 74 in West Sumatra. Two additional missing persons were reported in West Sumatra.
“The figures remain dynamic as search and rescue operations continue,” said Abdul Muhari, head of BNPB’s Data, Information, and Disaster Communication Center, during a press briefing on Wednesday.
Hendrik Yaputra contributed to the writing of this article.
Read: Prabowo's New Year Message in North Sumatra: Protect and Respect Nature
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Prabowo Defends Decision Not to Declare National Disaster in Sumatra
1 jam lalu
At a meeting in Aceh on Thursday, January 1, 2026, Prabowo responded to public criticism over the lack of national disaster status.
Prabowo Spends New Year's Eve with Flood Victims to Show Empathy
3 jam lalu
President Prabowo Subianto spends New Year's Eve with the people of Batu Hula Village in Batang Toru, South Tapanuli, North Sumatra, who were affected by the floods and landslides in late November 2025.
Prabowo's New Year Message in North Sumatra: Protect and Respect Nature
3 jam lalu
President Prabowo spent the New Year 2026 at a shelter with disaster-affected residents, emphasizing the importance of respecting nature.
Prabowo's Agenda Ahead of the New Year
7 jam lalu
Prabowo is departing for North Sumatra and is scheduled to continue his visit to Aceh to spend New Year's Eve with the residents.
Today's Top 3 News: Prabowo Visits Disaster-Affected Areas in Sumatra
23 jam lalu
Here is the list of the top 3 news on Tempo English today.
Kontras Decries Terror Silencing Critics in Prabowo Era
1 hari lalu
Kontras suspects Prabowo's administration is negligent by allowing these repeated acts of terror to happen.
Wave of Intimidation Highlights Authoritarian Traits of Prabowo's Regime
1 hari lalu
One hallmark of Prabowo's authoritarian tendencies, an academic notes, is the regime's intolerance of criticism.
Indonesia's Prabowo to Spend New Year in Disaster-Hit Aceh
1 hari lalu
Prabowo is scheduled to review post-disaster handling in Aceh today.
Indonesia Plans to Establish Agency to Accelerate Housing Development
1 hari lalu
The agency will oversee the entire housing development process, from obtaining permits and acquiring land to financing housing.
Putin Extends New Year Greetings to Prabowo
1 hari lalu
President Putin sent New Year's greetings to Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and the leaders of other friendly countries.
