Story perspectives

Indonesia's Flood Recovery: 1,030 Lives Lost, $3.1B Needed

12/16/2025

Summary

Prabowo Addresses Flood Recovery

President Prabowo Subianto of Indonesia said Sumatra's flood-affected areas may return to normal in two to three months.
The cyclone-induced disaster has claimed over 1,030 lives and 206 remain missing.
Reconstruction is estimated at $3.1 billion, including temporary homes for the displaced.
Prabowo said relief efforts face challenges and deforestation-linked companies will be audited, with possible permit revocation.
He expressed gratitude for foreign aid and said, "We can handle it."

Summary

Antoni Revokes Permits

Raja Juli Antoni, Indonesia's Forestry Minister, revoked 22 forestry permits covering more than one million hectares in Sumatra.
The action follows floods and landslides in Sumatra that have resulted in over 1,000 fatalities.
Environmentalists have linked forest loss to the severity of the flooding.
Antoni did not confirm whether the latest decision was directly related to the calamity.

History

Historical Context

Indonesia's environmental challenges date back to the 1998 fall of President Suharto, which was partly driven by severe deforestation, reported at 1.6 million hectares annually. Today, President Prabowo Subianto faces similar issues, with over 1,030 lives lost in recent floods linked to deforestation. The revocation of 22 forestry permits by Minister Raja Juli Antoni underscores ongoing efforts to combat environmental degradation.

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Prabowo Addresses Flood Recovery

President Prabowo Subianto of Indonesia said Sumatra's flood-affected areas may return to normal in two to three months.
The cyclone-induced disaster has claimed over 1,030 lives and 206 remain missing.
Reconstruction is estimated at $3.1 billion, including temporary homes for the displaced.
Prabowo said relief efforts face challenges and deforestation-linked companies will be audited, with possible permit revocation.
He expressed gratitude for foreign aid and said, "We can handle it."

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