Said Abdullah Demands Immediate Disbursement of IDR 4 Trillion ‘On-Call’ State Budget Fund for Sumatra Disaster

(JAKARTA, INDONESIA) – The devastating combination of landslides and flash floods across various regions in Sumatra—including Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra—has resulted in massive casualties and extensive damage, plunging the nation into a period of profound mourning.

As of Wednesday morning (December 3, 2025), reports from the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) detailed alarming figures: 753 people confirmed dead, 650 individuals still missing, 2,600 injured, and 576,300 people displaced. The destruction of thousands of homes and public facilities has further exacerbated the humanitarian crisis on the ground.

Responding to this tragedy, the Chairman of the House of Representatives’ Budget Committee (Banggar), Said Abdullah, issued a strong statement urging the Government to immediately activate emergency funding mechanisms. The senior politician from Sumenep, Madura, underscored that the State Budget (APBN) contains designated funds for such critical situations.

“This tragedy is deeply heartbreaking. We must mourn this nationally. Therefore, I extend my deepest condolences to all the victims’ families,” stated Said Abdullah in his official release on Wednesday (3/12/2025).

Accelerating the IDR 4 Trillion On-Call Fund

Mr. Abdullah specifically mandated that the Government can utilize the On-Call Fund (Standby Fund) allocated in the 2025 State Budget. This fund, totaling IDR 4 trillion, must be rapidly released to finance the entire process, from emergency response through post-disaster recovery.

According to the Chairman of the PDI Perjuangan Central Board (DPP), the speed of budget distribution is paramount. Field reports indicate that emergency services have yet to reach all victims; some affected residents were reportedly forced to take goods from stores and Bulog warehouses due to minimal logistic assistance.

“Emergency needs must be addressed more massively and promptly, such as providing proper evacuation shelters, supplies of food, sanitation facilities (MCK), blankets, and clothing,” Said asserted, emphasizing the most fundamental humanitarian aspects.

Humanitarian Priorities: SAR Operations and Trauma Healing

In light of the crisis, Said Abdullah highlighted two critical humanitarian priorities:

1. Massive Search and Rescue (SAR) Operations: SAR operations must be continuously strengthened on a massive scale to locate the 650 missing persons, simultaneously ensuring that aid distribution is equitable in isolated disaster areas.
2. Trauma Healing for Vulnerable Groups: “Especially for vulnerable groups such as children, trauma healing services must be provided,” Said stated. This psychological recovery aspect is deemed as vital as the provision of physical needs, considering the potential long-term impact of the tragedy on the survivors’ mental health.

Multiyear Budget Option for Reconstruction

Beyond the immediate emergency response, Said Abdullah suggested that the On-Call Fund should also be allocated for post-disaster recovery needs, such as the rehabilitation of general services.

The recovery phase involves both rehabilitation and reconstruction. Rehabilitation is necessary to restore vital public services like hospitals, schools, government offices, places of worship, and other basic infrastructure. However, the requirement for reconstruction will necessitate a significantly larger budget.

For the large-scale, time-consuming reconstruction phase, Said Abdullah proposed the option of utilizing a multiyear budget from the 2026 APBN and subsequent years. This option aims to ensure that infrastructure recovery in Sumatra can be carried out comprehensively without being constrained by annual budget limitations.

Said Abdullah’s statement serves not merely as criticism but as a strong political impetus for the nation’s resources, through the APBN, to be swiftly mobilized to alleviate the suffering of the people in Sumatra. This tragedy has become a litmus test for the Government’s commitment to realizing professional and humane governance in the face of emergency.***