Floods Widespread DPR Urges Prabowo To Set The National Disaster Status Of Sumatra Aceh

JAKARTA - Member of Commission III of the DPR from the PKS faction, M. Nasir Djamil, asked President Prabowo Subianto to immediately determine the national disaster status for the major floods that hit the provinces of Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra.

Nasir explained that flooding in the area had caused land access to be cut off, many families were trapped, and aid distribution had not been able to reach all affected points.

"This large flood has claimed lives, triggered skin diseases, turned off electricity in various regions, and resulted in countless material and immaterial losses. In Aceh, the floods later this year damaged many of the residents' electronic goods and motorized vehicles," Nasir told reporters, Friday, November 28.

According to him, disaster management will be hampered if the central government has not set a national disaster status. Nasir also emphasized that the flood conditions this time had met the indicators regulated in Indonesia's disaster regulations.

Nasir said, based on Law Number 24 of 2007 concerning Disaster Management, Government Regulation Number 21 of 2008 concerning the Implementation of Disaster Management, as well as Presidential Regulation Number 17 of 2018 concerning the Implementation of Disaster Management in Certain Conditions, determination of national disasters can be made if there are large numbers of victims, significant material losses, wide range of affected areas across regions, disruption of public and government service functions, and decreasing regional capabilities in dealing with disasters.

Seeing the flood situation that occurred in Aceh, North Sumatra, West Sumatra and several other provinces, Nasir stated that this condition had clearly fulfilled the elements mentioned in the regulation.

"If it is not immediately designated as a national disaster, I am afraid the number of victims will continue to grow," said Nasir.

"With humility, I ask and encourage President Prabowo Subianto to establish that status," said the legislator from the Aceh electoral district.

Nasir reminded that the state and central government must be present, intervene, and distribute greater and coordinated aid to the victims.

"People's safety is the highest law, therefore I believe that President Prabowo will not hesitate to take extraordinary steps to protect people who are currently affected by large floods in various regions," he concluded.