Calls Intensify For National Disaster Status To Address Scale Of Sumatra Catastrophe

Jakarta - Pressure is mounting on President Prabowo Subianto to formally declare the floods and landslides in Sumatra a "national disaster." Organizations including the Indonesian Communion of Churches (PGI) and various civil society groups argue that the scale of damage and the overwhelmed capacity of local governments meet the legal requirements for such a designation under Law No. 24 of 2007 on Disaster Management. They contend this status is essential to fully mobilize national resources, centralize command, and ensure a legally sound channel for international assistance.

Proponents of the declaration point to the overwhelming scale of the crisis. The disaster has affected millions, caused hundreds of fatalities, and led to severe infrastructure damage across provincial borders. Local governments in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra have already declared a state of emergency, citing an inability to handle the situation and limited logistical capacity. The PGI stated that local governments "no longer have adequate capacity to respond quickly to field situations".

The practical implications of a national disaster status are significant. It would centralize the command structure under the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), theoretically speeding up coordination unimpeded by local limitations. Furthermore, it would provide a clear legal framework for accepting international aid, which has been offered by friendly countries but which the government has stated is not currently required. Sekretaris Umum PGI Darwin Darmawan emphasized that this status would allow for the maximum mobilization of national resources, including ready-to-use funds, emergency logistics, and the full deployment of the military and police.

Reports from the ground highlight the desperate conditions fueling these calls. Incidents of looting at Bulog warehouses and minimarkets in Sibolga, North Sumatra, have been reported, with advocates stating that people were driven to such acts to survive after losing their possessions and facing broken supply chains. A regional head in Aceh was quoted saying his people had "not eaten for two days and two nights". These scenes underscore the gaps in the current response mechanism.

Despite these appeals, the national government has emphasized its current capabilities. Officials have pointed to the availability of Rp 500 billion in Ready-to-Use Funds and the ability to increase this amount if needed. Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi affirmed that Indonesia feels capable of handling the problems with existing resources and has not yet opened the door for international aid. The government's stance is that it is already treating the situation as a national priority, as evidenced by presidential instructions for a maximalist response.

The debate touches on the core of disaster governance. Critics argue that the government lacks a serious disaster perspective, pointing to bureaucratic hurdles in distributing government food reserves even during emergencies. They view the reluctance to declare a national disaster as a failure of the state to prioritize its citizens in a dire situation. As the recovery phase looms, the question of who will fund the massive reconstruction of infrastructure and communities adds further weight to the argument for a national-level declaration and the centralized funding it could facilitate. The government's next move regarding this status will be a defining moment in its management of the crisis.

Tag: Civil Society Disaster Management Law National Disaster Status PGI Presidential Authority Resource Mobilization