Prabowo invites the public to make Christmas a momentum to spread love and concern
JAKARTA - President Prabowo Subianto has wished a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2026 to Christians in Indonesia and at the same time invited all Indonesian people to make Christmas a momentum to spread love, maintain hope, and spread concern for others.
In the same speech, the President also conveyed that the Indonesian nation is currently facing the test of flash flood and landslides in three provinces in Sumatra, namely Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.
"Brothers and sisters of the same nation and homeland, Christmas is a momentum of love, hope, and concern for one another. At the same time, our nation is also being tested by natural disasters that bring grief and challenges for our brothers and sisters in Sumatra," said President Prabowo, quoted by Antara.
The President then invited all Indonesian people to make Christmas a moment to strengthen solidarity, mutual help, and mutual cooperation to rise together.
"I invite all Indonesian people to continue to strengthen the spirit of mutual cooperation and solidarity, mutual help, and deploy our best abilities as a strong nation because of unity. Let's make this time a source of hope and a step to rise together," said the President.
Then, the President closed his speech by expressing his hope for the people of Indonesia.
"May the Christmas peace accompany us all, and may the new year bring health, strength, and a spirit of togetherness for all Indonesian people," said President Prabowo.
"Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2026. May God Almighty always protect and accompany our struggle," said the President closing his speech.
A number of districts and cities in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra in December 2025 face flash floods and landslides that result in thousands of people dying, hundreds of people missing, and tens of thousands of houses damaged.
The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) reported as of Wednesday (24/12), the number of fatalities due to flash floods and landslides in Sumatra reached 1,129 people, while 174 people were declared missing and are still being searched by the joint SAR team. Then, BNPB also reported as of Wednesday, there were 496,293 residents living in evacuation centers.