Deputy Speaker of DPR Urges Serious Handling of Drought Disaster in West Java
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR RI), Saan Mustopa, has responded to the drought phenomenon in West Java caused by a prolonged dry season. Saan urged that this drought disaster be handled with serious attention.
“Regarding the drought, especially in West Java, the DPR has been anticipating it,” Saan stated at the parliamentary complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Tuesday (1/9/2026).
Saan noted that he and the DPR leadership have reviewed the drought conditions in Cirebon, West Java. He mentioned that the Director General of Water Resources of the Ministry of Public Works (PU) has also been deployed to the site to implement mitigation measures.
“As of last Sunday, the DPR leadership visited Cirebon; it is indeed an area heavily impacted. We were accompanied by the Director General of Water Resources, various regional offices, and all stakeholders to collectively manage the drought-stricken areas,” he explained.
The NasDem Party Deputy Speaker stated that the DPR is committed to resolving drought issues in the region, noting that this remains a high priority.
“The DPR will continue to push for this. It is part of the commitment from the DPR, the government, and all levels of local government—both provincial and regency/city—to seriously handle this drought disaster and the shortage of clean water for the community. We have already begun taking action,” he said.
It is reported that Saan inspected the conditions of residents in Slangit Village, Cirebon Regency, West Java, alongside the Director General of Water Resources of the Ministry of Public Works, Major General (Ret.) Arnold Aristoteles Paplapna Ritiauw, on Sunday (30/8). Also present were the Regent and Vice Regent of Cirebon, local government officials, the Cirebon Regency Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), and local village authorities.
According to 2026 drought data for Cirebon Regency, extreme drought has hit six sub-districts. Approximately 8,137 individuals, or 3,323 families, are affected and in need of clean water assistance.
One of the areas experiencing a particularly heavy impact is Slangit Village. Around 4,000 residents are directly affected and have faced issues with clean water access for a long period.
Due to the limited availability of water sources, residents are forced to find alternatives to meet their daily needs. For bathing and washing, some residents even utilise river water or irrigation channels that are in an unfit condition for use.
“The main problem here is the long-standing lack of access to clean water. This condition is very concerning for all of us,” Saan stated during his site visit on Sunday (30/8).