Megawati Instructs Cadres to Provide Aid to NTT Residents After M 7 Earthquake
PDI Perjuangan chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri has instructed the party’s Disaster Management Agency (BAGUNA) to deploy health volunteers following a magnitude 7 earthquake in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). The party has also asked cadres from regional to branch levels across NTT to provide assistance to residents affected by the earthquake.
The emergency response instruction was issued by Megawati as the central leadership landed in North Sumatra. Secretary-General of the PDI Perjuangan Central Executive Board, Hasto Kristiyanto, received a telephone call from Megawati to immediately consolidate humanitarian assistance on Saturday (15/8).
“As soon as we landed at Bumi Silangit, I received a call from the Chairwoman of PDI Perjuangan, Professor Dr Megawati Soekarnoputri. She expressed her deepest concern and prayed for all the residents of Flores affected by the earthquake. On the direct instruction of the Chairwoman, all levels of PDI Perjuangan are immediately taking mutual assistance steps on the ground,” said Hasto Kristiyanto in a statement on Sunday (16/8/2026).
Hasto explained that the instruction was conveyed directly to the Head of PDI Perjuangan’s Disaster Management Agency (BAGUNA), Tri Rismaharini, accompanied by Ribka Tjiptaning, who is coordinating the health volunteer team. The establishment of public kitchens and first aid are being provided to earthquake victims.
“Today, Mrs Tri Rismaharini is directly leading BAGUNA operations in the field, accompanied by Mrs Ribka Tjiptaning, who is deploying all health volunteers. All levels of PDI Perjuangan across East Nusa Tenggara have been instructed to immediately take emergency disaster mitigation measures, establish public kitchens, and provide first aid to the victims,” Hasto stressed.
Hasto further emphasised that Megawati’s attention was also directed at mothers and children under five. He highlighted the need for medicines and nutritional intake for young children.
“Mothers and children under five require special attention. From food intake for young children, medicines, to the specific needs of women. Not only that, Mrs Mega even prepared a special list of emergency response needs that was directly given to Mrs Risma,” said Hasto.
For context, the PDI Perjuangan leadership landed at Silangit to conduct the groundbreaking ceremony for the PDI Perjuangan branch office in Samosir Regency. Hasto was accompanied at the event by PDI Perjuangan Central Executive Board members Djarot Saiful Hidayat, Oberlin Tobing, Guntur Romli, and Aryo Seno Bagaskoro.
“As soon as the Secretary-General landed, he received instructions from the Chairwoman regarding the earthquake in NTT. He did not even get to enjoy his coffee, but immediately called central and regional board members to check reports and mobilise aid. This is the consistent humanitarian political tradition taught by PDI Perjuangan,” said Djarot.
“Politics is not merely about competing for power or maintaining power by manipulating rules, but about how we are present quickly to help our brothers and sisters affected by disaster and to attend to humanitarian concerns,” he added.
Djarot reflected on the history of Bung Karno’s thinking, which always drew inspiration from ordinary people. He stressed that the presence of religious figures in the gathering served as a reminder of the importance of maintaining national unity within the framework of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika.
“We are one nation. There must be no religious or ethnic egoism. We must respect and appreciate one another (all for all, one for all). Through this National Gathering that we are starting from Samosir, let us strengthen brotherhood, nurture tolerance, and continue to work together in defence of ordinary people,” said Djarot.
He added that the existence of BAGUNA as a special disaster management body requires PDI Perjuangan to be responsive to communities in need of assistance.