Prabowo Subianto Mobilizes Cabinet for Disaster Relief and Year-End Preparations
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Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto convened an emergency meeting with members of the Red and White Cabinet on thursday, November 26, 2025, to address ongoing disaster relief efforts in Sumatra and to ensure readiness for the upcoming Christmas and New Year holidays. The session,held at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta,underscores the administration’s commitment to both immediate crisis response and long-term stability.
Swift Response to Sumatra Disasters
The President’s focus during the meeting centered on the urgent need to accelerate evacuation efforts and deliver aid to victims affected by recent disasters in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra. A senior official stated that President Subianto issued direct instructions to multiple government agencies, including the TNI (Indonesian National Armed Forces), the National Police, the BNPB (National Disaster Management Agency), and the Basarnas (National Search and Rescue agency).
The Ministry of Public Works, the Ministry of Social Affairs, and the Ministries of Health were also directed to deploy personnel and resources to the affected regions. Furthermore, medical and health teams from both the TNI and Polri are actively involved in providing on-the-ground support.
Immediate Action and Technological Solutions
President Subianto reportedly took immediate action following the meeting, directly contacting the heads of the BNPB and Basarnas to expedite evacuation operations, particularly in the Tapanuli region where the disaster initially struck. Beyond conventional relief measures, the administration is exploring innovative solutions, including the implementation of weather modification technology to mitigate further rainfall and potential landslides.
Why did this happen? Recent heavy rainfall triggered landslides and flooding across parts of sumatra, impacting Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra provinces. The initial disaster struck the Tapanuli region, prompting a widespread emergency response.
Who is involved? President Prabowo Subianto is leading the response, coordinating efforts thru the Red and White Cabinet. Key agencies involved include the TNI, National Police, BNPB, Basarnas, and various ministries (Public Works, Social Affairs, Health). Coordinating Minister for Human development and Culture, Pratikno, is the central coordinator.
Coordinating Disaster Management
To streamline the response, President Subianto appointed Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture, Pratikno, as the central coordinator for disaster management. “The Coordinating Minister for PMK, Pratikno, as coordinator, was assigned by the President to continue to monitor and coordinate the evacuation process and the handling of affected victims,” according to Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya. This centralized approach aims to ensure efficient resource allocation and a cohesive strategy for both immediate relief and long-term recovery.
Economic Stability and Holiday Readiness
While disaster relief took precedence, the meeting also addressed broader concerns regarding economic stimulus and preparations for the Christmas and New Year period. The President emphasized the importance of maintaining economic momentum while simultaneously ensuring public safety and well-being during the holiday season. Approximately 20 members of the Red and White cabinet participated in the discussions, signaling a unified front in addressing these critical national priorities.
The administration’s swift and comprehensive response reflects a proactive approach to crisis management and a dedication to safeguarding the welfare of Indonesian citizens.
What is being done? The government is focused on accelerating evacuations, delivering aid, deploying personnel and resources, and exploring technological solutions like weather modification. A centralized coordination system, led by Coordinating Minister Pratikno, has been established.
How did it end? As of November 26, 2025,
