Prabowo Apologizes for Being Unable to Visit Every Sumatra Disaster Site

2 hours ago 1

January 2, 2026 | 06:44 am

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Prabowo Subianto apologized to residents affected by the recent disasters in Sumatra. Prabowo offered this apology because he has been unable to visit every disaster site since the crisis began in November 2025.

According to Prabowo, officials reported that residents in several districts were questioning his absence. "I received reports from the Minister of Home Affairs and the Governor that many other districts were asking, 'Why hasn't the President arrived?'" he said during a disaster management meeting in Aceh Tamiang, Aceh, on Thursday, January 1, 2026, as reported by the Presidential Secretariat.

Prabowo noted that he has visited several locations, including South Tapanuli in North Sumatra and Aceh Tamiang. He identified these locations as some of the areas most damaged by the disaster.

However, he admitted he could not be everywhere at once. "I apologize for not being able to go to all the areas," he stated.

The state head mentioned that his staff advised him to visit areas with the most urgent activities first. Despite this advice, he acknowledged that every region is facing equally difficult challenges.

Prabowo is committed to visiting more locations with heavy damage. "God willing, I will try; I will visit areas with significant impact," he said.

Earlier, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) reported 1,154 deaths due to floods and landslides in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra as of Wednesday afternoon, December 31, 2025.

Aceh recorded the highest number of deaths with 527 people. Meanwhile, the death toll reached 365 in North Sumatra and 262 in West Sumatra.

The BNPB also stated that two more people are missing in West Sumatra, bringing the total number of missing persons to 165. "There are 31 missing persons in Aceh, 60 in North Sumatra, and 74 in West Sumatra," said Abdul Muhari, Head of the BNPB Data, Information, and Communication Center, during a press conference on Wednesday.

Hendrik Yaputra contributed to the report

Read: Prabowo on Sumatra Disaster Criticism: 'We Accept It Even If It's Slander'

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