North Lamba Leda Sub-district Head in NTT Apologises over Earthquake Aid
The sub-district head of Lamba Leda Utara in East Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), Agustinus Supratman, has apologised following an incident involving the inspection of logistical aid for communities affected by the earthquake in the area on 21 August 2026.
A video circulated showing him expressing frustration to an official from the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) because the amount of aid for earthquake victims received at the logistics post was not as much as the official had reported to other parties.
“I would like to apologise to Mr Deden, BNPB, the East Manggarai Regency Government, and all affected parties for the incident and the information that has circulated,” Agustinus said from East Manggarai on Thursday, 27 August 2026.
In his clarification, Agustinus explained that the issue related to the condition of aid which at that time was only available at the sub-district level, while aid for the entire East Manggarai Regency was still in the process of being distributed.
He also stressed that he was never forced to issue the clarification. The decision to correct the circulating information was made on his own initiative.
Meanwhile, BNPB Inspector III, Police Grand Commissioner Deden Nurhidayatullah, said his office sincerely accepted the apology from the North Lamba Leda sub-district head.
“We accept the apology sincerely and wholeheartedly. For us, the most important thing now is how we can together refocus on helping the community who are facing a difficult situation due to the disaster,” Deden said.
He said disaster conditions are a stressful situation for the government, field officers and the public, so differences in perception that arise in the field need to be resolved through communication and coordination.
“We understand that in a disaster situation, everyone is in a difficult position. The most important thing is that we can understand each other, improve communication, and get back to working for the community,” he said.
Deden explained that logistical aid for communities affected by the earthquake in East Manggarai continues to be sent in stages, taking into account needs and access conditions to a number of areas.
According to him, the distribution process faces several technical obstacles, including transportation access to some locations, so that aid available at the regency level cannot always be received directly by all sub-districts at the same time.