Peradi: Handling of Sumatra Disaster Exceeds National Disaster Response

Padang (ANTARA) - The National Leadership Council of the Indonesian Advocates Association (DPN Peradi) assesses that the handling of the disaster that struck three provinces on Sumatra Island, namely Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra, at the end of 2025 has essentially exceeded national disaster handling. “Although it is not mentioned as a national disaster, the handling is more than that of a national disaster,” said the General Chairman of DPN Peradi, who is also the Deputy Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections, Otto Hasibuan, in the city of Padang on Thursday. According to Otto, there are special considerations as to why the Sumatra disaster is not termed a national disaster, but it cannot be denied that the government’s handling has been as maximal as possible. Therefore, Peradi consistently supports the government’s efforts in handling the Sumatra disaster, including by channelling aid to the affected areas. He stated that in channelling aid, they do not give it carelessly, but Peradi hands it over directly to the recipients. This includes the role of the Branch Leadership Council (DPC) Peradi in the disaster-affected areas, which are present to oversee the aid distribution, including for the construction of mosques, churches, or schools. Moreover, he said, in general, the aid recipients have been selected, and they are confident that they will also use the funds as best as possible. Meanwhile, the Deputy Governor of West Sumatra, Vasko Ruseimy, said that the aid from Peradi is ensured to be on target because it is given directly to the beneficiaries, one of which is SMA Negeri 12 in the city of Padang. “I also ask the Head of the Education Office to properly escort this aid so that there is no misappropriation,” he said.