Prabowo Reveals Reason for Not Immediately Visiting NTT Earthquake Impact

President Prabowo Subianto has revealed the reason he did not immediately visit the earthquake-affected areas in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). Prabowo postponed his visit so that central and regional government officials could focus more freely on providing services and assistance to the public.

Prabowo said the presence of too many central officials at disaster sites was considered potentially disruptive to the concentration of regional governments in handling affected residents. He made the remarks while chairing a meeting on the NTT earthquake response on Wednesday (26/8).

“I deliberately did not want to come at the beginning, because I wanted to give all agencies the opportunity to serve the people directly,” Prabowo said.

According to him, the arrival of large numbers of central officials in disaster areas can force regional officials to divide their attention. They must not only handle affected communities but also receive and accompany officials arriving from the centre.

Prabowo assessed that such conditions could shift the main priority of disaster management. In an emergency situation, he said, all government attention should be directed at the needs of the public, especially services and the distribution of aid.

“Sometimes if too many central officials come, concentration is split. So regional officials have to receive them, and so on,” he said.

For that reason, Prabowo chose to monitor the progress of the response from the centre while ensuring ministries and agencies deployed the necessary resources. He stressed that the physical presence of officials at the site should not merely be a symbol of concern if it is not accompanied by the ability to solve problems.

According to Prabowo, visits to affected areas will only be effective if accompanied by concrete measures. Aid, services and operational support must be ensured to actually reach the people who need them.

“The most important thing from the centre is to mobilise services and aid. That is the most important thing,” Prabowo said.

Prabowo also assessed that visits to disaster sites should not stop at observing the condition of victims and damage. If officials come without bringing solutions or additional support, such visits are considered to provide little benefit.

“If we come, and then only look at the disaster, cannot overcome it, cannot send aid, then in the end it is less effective,” he said.

After receiving reports on the progress of the earthquake response, Prabowo said the central government had taken various steps to support the people of NTT. However, he stressed that these efforts would still be increased according to needs on the ground.

Prabowo also expressed appreciation to regional governments that had reported the latest conditions, including the governor and regents in the affected areas. According to him, direct reports from the regions are important to ensure that central government policies and aid match the actual situation.

“So after I received the report I monitored it, we have done our best, of course we want to do more. Thank you for the reports from the governor and regents, I thank you,” Prabowo said.