Recurring Floods in Demak: Puan Urges Government to Improve Mitigation

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - House of Representatives Speaker Puan Maharani has spotlighted the major flood that has once again struck Demak Regency in Central Java. She assessed the incident as indicating the continued weakness of disaster mitigation in flood-prone regions. “The floods in Demak have occurred frequently, and this is a shared concern for us. It is certainly a matter of deep regret for the House of Representatives because this flood has resulted in fatalities, and we extend our profound condolences to the affected families,” Puan stated in her remarks on Tuesday (7/4/2026). “This undoubtedly adds to the economic burden on the community on a broader scale,” she added. According to Puan, when floods repeatedly occur in the same area, the issue at hand is no longer merely waterlogging, but how the state’s protection system functions. The PDI-P politician also questioned why areas repeatedly impacted by floods continue to suffer similar damage and consequences. “And why regions that have faced similar pressures multiple times still experience damage with nearly identical consequences. The long-standing risks related to recurring flood disasters must be addressed immediately,” she said. In addition to highlighting mitigation aspects, Puan urged the government to promptly ensure the safety of affected residents, including accelerating the distribution of aid and health services. She also stressed the importance of protection for impacted communities, particularly farmers at risk of losing their planting season due to the floods. “The most urgent matter now is to ensure that the impact on the people does not worsen further. Farmers must receive assurances so that their planting season is not entirely lost, and affected residents must receive protection until their daily activities are restored,” she continued. Puan added that future infrastructure improvements must adopt a preventive approach, rather than merely responding after disasters occur. “And corrective measures for infrastructure must be carried out with a logic of prevention, not solely repairs after damage,” Puan stated.