Aceh, North Sumatra, West Sumatra Hit By Floods, Prabowo: The Importance Of Maintaining The Natural Environment, Our Forests

President Prabowo Subianto alluded to the importance of environmental awareness when alluding to floods and landslides in the provinces of Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.

In his speech at the 2025 National Teacher's Day Commemoration Peak event, Prabowo first conveyed his empathy to the disaster-affected residents on the island of Sumatra.

"Of course we pray that they will always be protected by the Almighty, free their grief and suffering," Prabowo said in Jakarta, Friday, November 28.

According to Prabowo, the series of floods and landslides in a number of areas again reminded the government and society of the urgency to protect nature.

Prabowo emphasized that disasters that occur cannot be separated from global challenges, ranging from climate change to environmental damage. He assessed that schools and educators have a strategic role in strengthening the understanding of the younger generation regarding natural conservation.

"Climate change, global warming, environmental damage, is a challenge that we must face," said Prabowo.

Prabowo also encouraged teachers in Indonesia to strengthen environmental education materials in silabus and learning.

"I also think that maybe teachers throughout Indonesia who can start, I'm sure it's started, but maybe we need to add, in the silabus, in the subjects, as well as awareness of the importance of us protecting our natural environment, protecting our forests," Prabowo explained.

Prabowo emphasized the importance of preventing forest clearing and ensuring that rivers remain clean in order to be able to withstand the potential for flash floods.

Really preventing the felling of trees, the destruction of forests. We really have to protect the rivers so that they are clean, so that they can distribute water that can suddenly come," he said.

According to him, disaster mitigation is not only the responsibility of the government, but requires the role of every household.

Furthermore, Prabowo also reported the government's efforts in handling emergencies in flood-affected areas. He said the delivery of aid had been carried out since the first day, both by land and air. However, weather conditions and infrastructure damage made the distribution of aid at several points hampered.

"The government is moving fast. We have reacted from the first days, have sent aid and reactions via land and air. But indeed the conditions are very heavy, many have been cut off, the weather is still not possible. Sometimes also our helicopters and planes are difficult to land," said Prabowo.

Prabowo added that air aid shipments continue to be carried out to meet the needs of affected residents. This morning, the government dispatched three Hercules C-130 aircraft and one A-400 aircraft to carry logistics to the disaster site.

"For the umpteenth time we send aid, and we continue to support their needs in the field," he said.