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

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January 1, 2026 | 09:27 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian president Prabowo Subianto has expressed openness to public criticism, including regarding the government’s handling of the recent disasters in Sumatra, while noting that not all criticisms are accurate.

He shared this stance during a disaster management meeting with officials in Aceh on Thursday, January 1, 2025. The meeting addressed questions about the government’s response to floods and landslides in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.

Some critics have questioned the effectiveness of visits by officials to the disaster sites. “I see this as our duty, and I am thankful to all the elements I observed going down to the field,” Prabowo said, according to a statement from the Presidential Secretariat.

He emphasized that government ministries and agencies assigned to the affected areas were not merely visiting for observation. Officials actively identified problems on the ground and took steps to address them.

Despite these efforts, Prabowo noted that some observers continue to frame the government’s actions negatively.

“Sometimes I notice an unhealthy tendency among certain individuals, commentators, and others who view government activities through a purely negative lens,” he said.

Prabowo also acknowledged criticisms questioning why ministers visit disaster areas. “I have heard remarks like, ‘Why do ministers go to disaster sites? They only come to see the struggling brothers and sisters,’” he said.

The president argued that the government faces a lose-lose scenario: if officials do not visit disaster zones, they are seen as uncaring; if they do, they may still face criticism.

“One of the duties of a leader is to be ready to face condemnation, to be prepared for slander,” said the former defense minister.

He encouraged ministers, agency heads, and regional leaders not to lose their spirit in the face of criticism. “We accept all of it as a form of correction. It is okay, even if it is slander. While we know in our hearts that it is not true, it serves as a reminder for us,” he said.

Hendrik Yaputra contributed to the writing of this article,

Read: Prabowo's New Year Message in North Sumatra: Protect and Respect Nature

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