DPR Deputy Speaker Responds to BEM UI Demand for National Disaster Status in NTT
Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) Saan Mustopa has responded to one of the demands raised during a demonstration held by the University of Indonesia Student Executive Board (BEM UI) today. One of the students’ demands in the protest was to urge the government to declare a national disaster status over the earthquake that struck the Flores region of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).
“Well, the government and the NTT provincial government have already declared a disaster emergency, that has been established. And now the government is already handling it, even without it being declared a national disaster, the government has been working maximally there. I see it has been maximal,” Saan said at the Parliament complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Tuesday (18/8/2026).
Saan said that the most important thing at present is the effectiveness of handling on the ground. The central and regional governments have also been working maximally in dealing with the disaster.
“What matters is the handling, not the status. So once again, the government has been maximal as far as I can see,” he said.
Saan added that a number of supporting facilities have been set up at the disaster site, including a field hospital.
“In fact, a field hospital has been established to treat victims who need medical care because the permanent hospital was also affected by the earthquake and cannot provide maximum service. The government has built a field hospital, and it is already operating at full capacity,” Saan explained.
Saan stressed that the DPR will not remain silent over the disaster. The DPR is committed to continuing to oversee the recovery process in NTT.
“We will continue to monitor the situation, and the DPR will certainly hold further coordination meetings with relevant ministries and agencies. The DPR will also send assistance according to what is needed by the respective district governments affected by the disaster in NTT,” he said.
As is known, the University of Indonesia Student Executive Board (BEM UI) held a demonstration in the Bundaran HI area of Central Jakarta today. They brought a number of demands.
There were eight demands raised during the demonstration. The eight demands are as follows:
In the name of a people not yet fully free, we declare our disgust and demand:
Stop the state’s colonisation of its own people
Stop corruption, collusion and nepotism
Realise genuine agrarian reform
Lower the prices of basic necessities and fuel
Conduct a total evaluation of National Strategic Projects and halt the Free Nutritious Meals programme and the downstreaming of mineral and coal resources
Stop the centralisation of power, the cutting of regional transfers, and restore regional autonomy
Declare national disaster status for the Sumatra and Flores regions and accelerate the recovery of disaster-affected areas
Stop repression and intervention by the military and police in civilian spaces and disband the YON TP