President Prabowo Pledges Infrastructure Rebuilding and Climate Action Amidst Devastating Sumatra Floods

President Prabowo Visits Devastated Sumatra Regions

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto embarked on a visit to the flood and landslide-stricken regions of Sumatra on Monday, December 1, 2025, and Tuesday, December 2, 2025, to assess the damage and pledge government support. His tour included severely affected areas such as Central Tapanuli in North Sumatra, Kutacane in Southeast Aceh, and Padang Pariaman in West Sumatra.

During his visit, President Prabowo emphasized the government's commitment to delivering essential aid, particularly fuel, to isolated communities. He stated, 'Several villages remain isolated, but God willing, we can reach them soon.' He also highlighted the deployment of numerous helicopters, Hercules aircraft, and other assets to bolster relief efforts.

Widespread Devastation and Humanitarian Crisis

The floods and landslides, which began around November 25, 2025, following the landfall of Tropical Cyclone Senyar and intense monsoon rains, have caused catastrophic damage across Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra provinces. The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) reported a grim toll, with the death count rising to between 708 and 712 people by December 2, 2025, and approximately 504 to 507 individuals still missing. Earlier reports on December 1 indicated 442 deaths and 402 missing.

The disaster has impacted an estimated 1.4 million people, with around 1.1 million displaced across the three provinces. Additionally, approximately 2,500 to 2,600 people have sustained injuries. Critical infrastructure, including roads and bridges, has been swept away or destroyed, leading to widespread communication outages and power blackouts, severely hampering rescue and aid distribution efforts.

Survivors face a dire humanitarian situation, including:

• Food and fuel shortages
• Lack of clean water
• Disrupted telecommunications
• Thousands of damaged or submerged homes

Pledges for Reconstruction and Climate Resilience

President Prabowo pledged comprehensive government assistance for recovery, including the rebuilding of damaged infrastructure such as roads, bridges, homes, and schools. He stressed the importance of transparency in aid distribution, stating that 'All government assistance must go straight to the people. It should not pass through intermediaries.'

Beyond immediate relief, the President underscored the critical need for an effective response to climate change. 'We need to confront climate change effectively,' Prabowo told reporters, adding that 'Local governments must take a significant role in safeguarding the environment and preparing for the extreme weather conditions that will arise from future climate change.' Environmental experts and groups, including Greenpeace Indonesia, have pointed to extensive environmental degradation, such as deforestation, as a major factor exacerbating the severity of the floods. This degradation, they argue, has weakened Sumatra's natural ecological buffers, turning extreme rainfall into a catastrophe.

Despite calls from some quarters to declare a national emergency, President Prabowo indicated that the current provincial-level emergency status was sufficient, expressing his belief that 'the worst had passed' and the situation was improving.