Gubernur Sumatera Utara (North Sumatra) Bobby Nasution publicly expressed his frustration Monday with the allocation of disaster recovery funds for the province, walking out of a virtual meeting with coordinating ministers, according to reports and a widely circulated video. The incident highlights growing tensions over the distribution of Rp 56 trillion (approximately $3.5 billion USD) in aid intended for North Sumatra, West Sumatra, and Aceh following recent disasters.
A video of the incident, which quickly went viral on social media, shows Nasution visibly upset during the meeting, accompanied by Dikky Anugerah, Head of the Regional Development Planning Agency (Bappelitbang) of North Sumatra. Nasution can be heard saying, “Even the minister is protesting, who is managing this? Let’s get out of here, it’s unclear,” before leaving the virtual conference. The incident underscores the urgency surrounding post-disaster recovery efforts in the region.
Nasution explained that the frustration stemmed from the relatively compact share of the Rp 56 trillion allocated to North Sumatra – just Rp 2.1 trillion. He argued that this amount is insufficient given the extent of the damage in the province, which he claims is second only to Aceh in terms of impact, and loss. “We object to this figure,” Nasution stated, as reported by DetikNews. “Considering we are among the worst affected, after Aceh, with the highest number of victims and homes lost, our allocation should be higher.”
The governor emphasized that the data used to determine the allocation was based on the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Plan (R3P), a document compiled in collaboration with various ministries and agencies, and verified by the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) and the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas). “The data for disaster recovery is taken from the R3P of each region,” Nasution said during a visit to a school construction site in Padangsidimpuan, North Sumatra, on Monday, March 2, 2026. “This data has been confirmed, not just by the regional government, but with ministries and agencies.”
Disparity in Funding Allocations
Nasution revealed that North Sumatra’s estimated recovery needs exceed Rp 30 trillion, significantly more than the Rp 2.1 trillion currently allocated. He questioned the basis for the allocation, particularly given the province’s high number of victims and damaged homes. “We are questioning the rationale behind this,” he said. “Based on the number of victims, our allocation shouldn’t be this low. Based on the extent of the damage, it shouldn’t be this low.”
While expressing his dissatisfaction, Nasution indicated that there is a possibility of a revision to the budget. “Hopefully, the allocation can be revised,” he stated, suggesting ongoing discussions with central government officials.
Appointment of Dikky Anugerah
The incident occurred shortly after Nasution appointed Dikky Anugerah, previously the Secretary of Bappelitbang, as the Acting Head of the Department of Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy of North Sumatra on March 17, 2025, as reported by Tribun Medan. Anugerah was present with Nasution during the virtual meeting and the subsequent walkout.
Broader Context of Disaster Recovery
The allocation of disaster relief funds is a sensitive issue in Indonesia, a country prone to natural disasters. The recent aid package of Rp 56 trillion was intended to support recovery efforts in North Sumatra, West Sumatra, and Aceh, all of which have been impacted by significant disasters in recent months. The specific nature of those disasters was not detailed in the available sources.
The situation in North Sumatra underscores the challenges of coordinating disaster relief efforts and ensuring equitable distribution of resources. The governor’s public expression of dissatisfaction is likely to intensify scrutiny of the allocation process and potentially lead to further adjustments.
The central government has yet to respond publicly to Nasution’s concerns. Further updates on the allocation of disaster recovery funds are expected in the coming days as discussions continue between regional and national authorities.
Readers affected by recent disasters in North Sumatra, West Sumatra, or Aceh can locate information and support resources through the Indonesian National Board for Disaster Management (BNPB) at www.bnpb.go.id.
This is a developing story. We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available. Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
