Citing Successful Disaster Management, Prabowo: Our Nation Is Strong
President Prabowo Subianto has said that disaster management in several regions is beginning to be successfully addressed and mitigated. According to him, this achievement is inseparable from the government’s large-scale deployment of resources, including dozens of helicopters, more than a dozen aircraft, and thousands of personnel.
“We have shown that our nation is strong. We are now deploying dozens of helicopters, more than a dozen aircraft, various engineering equipment, hundreds of water drilling rigs, hundreds of water pumps, and thousands of personnel,” Prabowo said during his remarks at the launch of the 100 GWp Solar Power Plant Programme in Jembrana, Bali, on Tuesday (25/8).
Prabowo said that the handling of various issues on the ground is now beginning to be resolved. He expressed hope that the entire management process in several locations can be completed within the next one to two weeks.
According to him, this success is the result of joint work by various elements of government. Regional governments, ministries and agencies, the TNI-Polri, the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), and the ministries handling environment and forestry were said to have worked effectively.
Prabowo also expressed appreciation for personnel in the field. He assessed that the large-scale deployment of resources demonstrates the government’s seriousness in facing disasters while ensuring the state is present when the public needs it.
“I am heartened and proud of the achievements of our personnel in the field,” Prabowo said.
He then cited disaster management in Aceh, which he said was completed within a timeframe that many parties did not anticipate. The government’s response to disasters in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) was also described as rapid and massive.
Prabowo stressed that these various achievements show Indonesia has the capability to face trials and obstacles. The government, he said, continues to deploy state resources to handle issues occurring in various regions.
“We are strong. We are capable, and we continue to prove it. The disaster in Aceh was resolved within a timeframe that many parties would not have predicted. In NTT, our reaction was very fast, very massive, and the state is present everywhere,” he said.
On the other hand, Prabowo reminded that the government still needs to increase vigilance. This year, the world is facing the El Niño phenomenon, which is expected to be quite strong and is even described as one of the strongest.
“This year the world is experiencing what is called El Niño, and this El Niño is quite strong this year. It is forecast to be one of the strongest,” Prabowo said.
He therefore asked all relevant elements to remain prepared to face various vulnerabilities that may arise. Prabowo said he has travelled to several regions to see conditions on the ground directly.
He assessed that disaster preparedness is becoming increasingly important amid challenging weather and climate conditions. With cross-agency coordination and the deployment of equipment and personnel, the government hopes that various issues can be promptly mitigated and resolved.
Prabowo also emphasised the importance of state strength in facing such situations. As president holding the people’s mandate, he said he will continue to gather all national strength to face the various trials that emerge.