Providing Starlink Assistance To Disaster Areas In Aceh And Sumatra, The Indonesian Army Is Still Thinking About Costs

Starlink is free for disaster victims in Aceh and Sumatra (photo: dock. Starlink)

JAKARTA Army Chief of Staff (KSAD) General TNI, Maruli Simanjuntak, was criticized by the public after discussing Starlink assistance. The reason is, Maruli is still discussing costs when SpaceX provides free assistance.

Launching from Kompas, Maruli said that the Indonesian Army had sent dozens of Starlink routers to a number of areas in Aceh, West Sumatra, and North Sumatra that were affected by floods and landslides. Even though it has been distributed, the cost is still a problem.

Maruli said that the issue of who is responsible for financing the Starlink network is still being discussed. However, the Indonesian Army focused on distributing its devices first to help restore internet connections in affected areas.

"About Starlink, it's indeed equipment from the Ministry of Defense and us as well. Indeed, the credit doesn't know who wants to pay," Maruli said during a press conference, quoted on Thursday, December 4. "(Because) our enthusiasm to help, we sent tens of Starlinks to the disaster area."

Starlink Assistance Should Be Free

SpaceX helped restore connectivity in areas affected by flash floods and landslides. This was conveyed directly on the official Starlink account some time ago.

This assistance is provided free of charge, both for old customers and new customers until the end of December. SpaceX also provides Starlink routers distributed through the government. That way, users who do not own Starlink will still be helped.

"We are also working with the Indonesian government to quickly deploy the terminal and restore connectivity to the hardest-hit areas in Sumatra," said Starlink's official account.

Alleged Extortion Through Starlink Assistance

In recent days, people living in the Sumatra and Aceh areas have complained about illegal levies. According to screenshots circulating on social media, as VOI sees on its Narraesya account, residents have to pay to wear Starlink.

The levies also vary, ranging from Rp. 5,000 to Rp. 20,000. Although some parties stated that the Starlink charged belonged to the residents, Elon Musk did not seem to like this idea.

Shortly after Starlink provided information about satellite internet support for free for a month, the SpaceX owner said that seeking profit during a disaster was an unethical act.

"SpaceX's standard policy is to make Starlink free every time there is a natural disaster somewhere in the world. It's not true that it benefits from misfortune," Musk wrote through his X account.