Highlighting Flood And Longsor Victims Of Sumatra During Plenary Session, Puan Reminds Government To Strengthen Disaster Mitigation

JAKARTA - The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, highlighted the handling of flood and landslide victims that occurred in a number of Sumatra areas in the 10th Plenary Meeting of the Second Session Period of the 2025 2026 Session Year in the 10th Plenary Meeting this afternoon.

Puan initially invited all members of the DPR to pray for the victims affected by the disaster to be given patience and recover as soon as possible.

"On behalf of the leadership of the DPR RI and all members of the DPR RI, allow me to express my deep sorrow to the victims of natural disasters that occurred in several areas such as Aceh Province, North Sumatra Province, West Sumatra Province, and other regions in Indonesia," said Puan at the DPR building, Senayan, Jakarta, Monday, December 8.

"May Allah SWT, God Almighty, always provide fortitude, strength, and patience to the families left behind. For the victims who died, hopefully they will get a noble place in the sight of Allah SWT, God Almighty; as well as for our brothers and sisters who suffered injuries and lost their homes, hopefully they will soon be given healing and recovery, both physically and mentally," he continued.

The former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture then reminded that disaster management that is currently happening requires emergency response handling to be able to save the people affected. Puan also asked the relevant Ministries/Institutions to be effective in providing assistance to victims.

"In the APBN, there are funds for emergency response, which can be used to save and protect the lives of people affected by the disaster," said Puan.

In the future, Puan assessed, the government must strengthen disaster mitigation policies. In dealing with disaster-prone areas, according to her, disaster management must always start from mitigation efforts carried out long before the threat of disaster occurs.

"Natural phenomena such as high rainfall, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, and various other natural phenomena are events that we cannot prevent or stop. But what we can and must do is manage risks by ensuring that the environment, spatial planning, and settlements are in a safe condition and the risk of a disaster is under control," said Puan.

Puan also expressed her best appreciation and prayers to all parties, both related Ministries/Institutions, local governments, TNI/Polri, volunteers, medical personnel, and the community who have worked hand in hand to provide assistance and support in the field.

"In a situation like this, let us strengthen our sense of solidarity, empathy, and mutual cooperation among the Indonesian nation's children, so that our affected brothers and sisters can be freed, immediately rise and recover from the disaster that occurred," he said.

Puan then invited all members of the council to silence, bow their heads and pray together to Allah SWT, God Almighty, so that Indonesia's nation and state are protected, saved, and strengthened in the face of disaster.

"May Allah SWT always protect the nation and state of the Republic of Indonesia from disasters and provide safety and peace for all of us," he concluded.

In today's plenary meeting, the DPR ratified the Bill on Criminal Adjustments. The DPR also approved the Second Amendment to the Prolegnas Bill for 2025-2029, and approved the results of the Feasibility and Propert Test (Fit and Propert Test) for the Candidate Management of the Construction Services Development Institute (LPJK) for the 2025-2029 Period.

The DPR also approved a bill on the Pancasila Ideology Development Agency (Following Baleg's initiative) and a bill on the Protection of Witnesses and Victims as a bill proposed by the DPR.

The DPR Plenary Session also approved the determination of the Membership of the Special Committee for the Bill on Industrial Design and the Bill on International Civil Law.