PRIME NEWS POST

Jakarta — The Executive Director of AI for Good Indonesia, David Darmawan, asserts that the series of ecological disasters afflicting Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra meet all legal, moral, and humanitarian criteria to be immediately declared a national disaster. This declaration would also open official access to measured, coordinated, and accountable international aid.

Darmawan’s statement is based on a comprehensive review of national and international data regarding Sumatra’s ecological conditions between 2015–2025. The review reveals an extreme surge in hydrometeorological disasters, up 147 percent, and massive humanitarian impacts.

“This is no longer a local disaster, not a seasonal misfortune. This is a systemic ecological crisis on a national scale. The state must not hesitate to take constitutional action,” emphasized Darmawan, who is also the Chairman of Betawi B@nkit, on Tuesday (December 10).

Casualties, Losses, and Regional Capacity Exceeded

Verified data shows:

– 577 major disaster events occurred in the three provinces.
– 2,811 lives lost.
– Economic losses reach Rp 86.3 trillion.
– 2.74 million residents forced to evacuate.

On the other hand, the regional fiscal capacity has collapsed structurally:

– Aceh bears a recovery burden of 156% of its regional budget (APBD).
– North Sumatra 143% of its APBD.
– West Sumatra 175% of its APBD.

“This explicitly meets the requirements of Article 7 of Law 24/2007 on Disaster Management, that regional capacity has been exceeded and the scope of the disaster spans across provinces,” said Darmawan.

Ecological Crisis Threatens the Future of Sumatra’s Generations

Ecological damage has reached a critical level:

– 142,000 hectares of the Leuser Ecosystem Area lost.
– The Tapanuli Orangutan habitat is threatened with extinction, with ±800 individuals remaining.
– Sedimentation of the Tamiang River reduces its holding capacity by up to 60%.
– Mercury pollution from illegal mining (PETI) in the Batanghari watershed reaches 1,250 tons per year.

“This is not just a natural disaster. This is an ecological disaster due to damage accumulated over many years. The state must be fully present,” he emphasized.

Foreign Aid is Legitimate and Guaranteed by the Constitution

Darmawan asserts that accepting foreign aid does not violate national sovereignty, and is even guaranteed by:

– Law 24/2007 Article 35
– Government Regulation No. 23 of 2008

National precedents:

– 2004 Aceh Tsunami
– 2018 Lombok Earthquake
– 2020 Jakarta Floods

“Foreign aid is a humanitarian instrument, not political intervention. As long as the state controls the mechanism, it is legitimate and constitutional,” Darmawan stated.

Humanitarian Imperative: The State Must Not Delay

The victim structure shows high urgency:

– 35% of evacuees are children.
– 42% are women.
– 8% are people with disabilities.

Even prisoners and inmates have the right to life, which must not be diminished under any circumstances.

“The right to life knows no social, legal, or political status. This is a constitutional mandate, a Pancasila mandate, and a humanitarian mandate,” Darmawan emphasized.

Strategic Recommendations to the President of the Republic of Indonesia

David Darmawan, in his capacity as Chairman of Betawi B@nkit and Executive Director of AI for Good Indonesia, formally recommends to the President of the Republic of Indonesia to:

1. Declare a national disaster status for the Sumatran ecological crisis within a maximum of 7 days.
2. Activate foreign aid channels through the UN and bilateral cooperation.
3. Form a Unified Command for Sumatra Emergency Response with special authority.
4. Allocate Rp 15 trillion from the state budget (APBN) as emergency response support.
5. Fully mobilize the TNI/Polri (Indonesian National Armed Forces/National Police) for evacuation, logistics distribution, and securing affected areas.

“Every day of delay is a potential loss of life. The state must not be defeated by procedures when the people are facing death,” he said.

Conclusion: A Historical Test for National Leadership

Concluding his statement, Darmawan reminded that history will record every step leaders take in facing major disasters.

“The Sumatran ecological crisis is a historical calling. The state must be present not as a spectator, but as a savior of the lives of millions of its people,” he concluded.