December 23, 2025 | 12:17 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Minister of Interior, Tito Karnavian, stated that regions affected by the Sumatra flood disaster could access unlimited Bulog rice supplies as long as there is a request from the regional heads. This statement was made by the Minister during his guidance to the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda) of Aceh Tamiang Regency at the Regent's Office of Aceh Tamiang, Aceh, on Monday, December 22, 2025.
Tito claimed that the national rice reserve is in a very strong condition. He ensured that disaster-affected areas could access the Bulog rice reserve without limitation as long as there is an official request from the regional heads.
"As long as it is for the needs of the disaster, it can be issued without cost. This is not SPHP (Stabilization of Supply and Food Prices) rice that is sold cheap, no, it's without cost, regardless of the quantity requested as long as it can be accounted for," Tito said, as quoted from his official statement.
In addition to food matters, Tito also addressed the limitations of unforeseen expenditure (BTT) in many affected areas. He conveyed that President Prabowo Subianto had decided to increase BTT assistance by Rp4 billion for each affected regency/city, and Rp20 billion for provincial governments. Furthermore, Tito also mobilized assistance from other regions, which has now reached almost Rp60 billion and been distributed directly to the affected areas.
Tito also emphasized the importance of mud clearance as the top priority, especially in public facilities, health facilities, educational facilities, and government offices. According to him, the presence of the state must be visible in the midst of the community through collaboration between the TNI, Polri, regional governments, and volunteers. "In my opinion, this clearance is number one, this clearance from these muds," he said.
In terms of housing, Tito also requested regional governments to promptly conduct detailed data collection on house damage, including names and addresses, categorized as lightly damaged, moderately damaged, heavily damaged, or lost. This data will be the basis for providing direct assistance to the community as well as temporary and permanent housing construction by the central government through BNPB and related ministries.
During his visit to Aceh, Tito emphasized the need to accelerate the handling of the flood and landslide impacts in Aceh Tamiang Regency. He stated that Aceh Tamiang requires special attention due to its different level of damage compared to other affected areas.
"Aceh Tamiang, from what I saw from the air, still has lots of mud, it's somewhat different when I went to other places in West Sumatra," Tito said.
He revealed that President Prabowo had instructed national mobilization with the distribution of tasks across ministries and agencies from the first day of the disaster. The central government, along with regional governments, TNI, Polri, the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), and other relevant parties, continues to work to ensure that the basic needs of the affected communities are met.
Read: Indonesia Eyeing to Build 100 Bulog Warehouses by Next Year
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