August 26, 2026 | 03:32 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Prabowo Subianto said he intentionally held off on visiting East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) immediately after a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck the region on Saturday, August 15, 2026. The Head of State traveled to Nagekeo Regency, NTT, approximately 11 days after the main disaster occurred.
Upon his arrival in NTT, Prabowo chaired a disaster management coordination meeting attended by several cabinet ministers and agency heads. During the meeting, Prabowo explained that he wanted to allow emergency institutions space to focus fully on field operations without distraction.
"I intentionally did not come at the start because I wanted to give all institutions the opportunity to serve the public directly. Sometimes when central officials visit, attention gets divided," Prabowo said in Nagekeo, NTT, on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, during a live broadcast on the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube channel.
However, the former defense minister under President Joko Widodo stressed that the central government monitored ground developments continuously. According to Prabowo, central authorities immediately dispatched aid to impacted communities following the disaster.
"If we come only to observe without managing the situation or sending aid, it becomes less effective," Prabowo stated.
A magnitude 7.7 earthquake rocked Flores Island on Saturday, August 15, 2026. The quake struck at a depth of 15 kilometers, centered roughly 30 kilometers northeast of Mbay in Nagekeo Regency. Data from the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) indicates that as of Wednesday, August 26, 2026, the death toll stood at 103, with 1,678 residents injured.
Minister of the State Secretariat Prasetyo Hadi stated that the President's working visit to NTT 11 days after the quake aimed to assess local conditions firsthand while ensuring that disaster relief and citizen aid were operating effectively. Furthermore, Prasetyo noted that Prabowo's visit sought to streamline inter-agency coordination among the central government, regional authorities, the military (TNI), the National Police, and key stakeholders in managing post-disaster impacts.
"From the beginning, the President instructed that emergency quake response and relief distribution be executed quickly, systematically, and equitably across all impacted zones," Prasetyo told reporters on Wednesday morning.
The Gerindra Party politician detailed the response measures undertaken since the disaster occurred nearly two weeks ago. Prasetyo noted that between August 15 and 24, 2026, the Presidential Secretariat distributed logistics and emergency supplies. Deliveries included 204.22 tons of basic food items, 27.71 tons of ready-to-eat meals, 10.29 tons of bottled water, alongside pharmaceuticals, tents, blankets, mattresses, communications gear, and two mobile field hospital units.
Additionally, health services for affected communities were bolstered through the deployment of specialized emergency medical facilities. Prasetyo highlighted the Indonesian Navy’s hospital ship, KRI Soeharso-990, which docked at Reo Port in Manggarai Regency to serve as a floating medical facility. A second facility, the Ksatria Airlangga Hospital Ship, was deployed to Nangalirang Bay in East Manggarai Regency.
At the regional level, Prasetyo added, two local hospitals have been activated for emergency response. Among them, Ruteng Regional General Hospital in Manggarai Regency has performed a total of 29 surgical procedures to date. Meanwhile, Aeramo Regional Public Hospital in Nagekeo Regency continues to support emergency healthcare and surgical interventions for earthquake victims.
Read: Prabowo: NTT Earthquake Response Has Been Swift
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Prabowo Says MBG Is Crucial for People in difficult circumstances
15 menit lalu
Prabowo said the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program plays an important role, especially for people in difficult circumstances.
Prabowo Says Indonesians Need Education on Forest Restoration
21 menit lalu
Prabowo Subianto calls for public education on restoring degraded forests across Indonesia to protect the environment and water supplies.
Pati Alliance: No Demand to Oust Prabowo-Gibran at Jakarta Protest
56 menit lalu
Pati residents plan Jakarta protest for the Asset Forfeiture Bill and death penalty for corruptors, while an organizer's bank account is blocked.
NTT Disaster-Hit Districts Receive Rp20 Billion Each in Govt Aid
1 jam lalu
Prabowo received a report that Rp20 billion in aid for each disaster-affected district in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) had been distributed.
Why Did Prabowo Wait 11 Days to Visit Earthquake-Hit Flores?
2 jam lalu
Prabowo defends his 11-day delay in visiting earthquake-hit Flores as the death toll from the magnitude 7.7 earthquake reaches 103.
Prabowo Visits NTT 11 Days After Major Earthquake
5 jam lalu
Prabowo will ensure coordination between the central government, local authorities, the military, and the police runs smoothly after the earthquake.
Prabowo Targets End to Indonesia's Forest Fires Within Two Weeks
9 jam lalu
President Prabowo Subianto hopes Indonesia can extinguish forest and land fires within two weeks as El Nino drives a severe dry season.
Prabowo: NTT Earthquake Response Has Been Swift
18 jam lalu
Prabowo said the government responded quickly to the disasters that occurred in several areas.
Today's Top 3 News: Prabowo Leads Wildfire Meeting, Eyes 'Ubi Bombing'
22 jam lalu
Here is the list of the top 3 news on Tempo English today.
Prabowo: Forest Fires Contained in Several Areas
22 jam lalu
President Prabowo stated that Indonesia has mitigated the impacts of El Nino, including an increased potential for forest fires.
:strip_icc():format(jpeg):watermark(kly-media-production/assets/images/watermarks/bola/watermark-color-landscape-new.png,1125,20,0)/kly-media-production/medias/5340293/original/053973400_1757170402-20250906AA_Indonesia_U-23_vs_Macau-07_2.JPG)
