DPR Responds to Army ChiefS Report on Sumatra Bridge Construction

Chairman of the DPR RI Budget Agency (Banggar), Said Abdullah, responded to a report by Army Chief of Staff General Maruli Simanjuntak regarding the independent construction of bridges in the Sumatra disaster area, which resulted in debt. Said stated this situation could have been avoided if the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) had promptly submitted a budget request to the Ministry of Finance (Kemenkeu).

The Issue: Independent Bridge Construction and Debt

General Maruli Simanjuntak reported that the Army took the initiative to construct bridges in the disaster-stricken areas of Sumatra, proceeding independently and incurring debt in the process. This action was taken to address urgent needs where existing infrastructure was damaged or destroyed, hindering access for aid and recovery efforts.

Why Independent action Was Taken

The Army’s decision stemmed from a perceived delay in receiving adequate funding and authorization through official channels. The urgency of the situation demanded immediate action, leading to the independent undertaking despite the financial implications.

DPR’s Response and Proposed Solutions

Said Abdullah, Chairman of the DPR RI Budget Agency, emphasized that the situation highlights a need for improved responsiveness in disaster funding allocation. He believes a faster, yet still prudent, budget formulation process by the Ministry of Finance and BNPB would prevent similar occurrences in the future.

Available Funds for Disaster Management

Said Abdullah pointed out that funds are currently available within the 2025 State budget (APBN) to address disaster management in Sumatra. Approximately IDR 500 billion in on-call funds are allocated for this purpose.

Improving Disaster Response Efficiency

The incident underscores the importance of streamlining the disaster response process.A more efficient system would involve:

• Rapid Budget Allocation: BNPB needs to quickly submit budget requests to Kemenkeu following a disaster.
• Clear Authorization Protocols: Establishing clear guidelines for when independent action is permissible, and the associated financial safeguards.
• Proactive Disaster Preparedness: Investing in pre-disaster planning and infrastructure resilience to minimize the need for emergency construction.

Key Takeaways

• The army independently constructed bridges in Sumatra due to perceived delays in official funding.
• This independent action resulted in debt.
• The DPR believes faster budget allocation from BNPB and Kemenkeu could prevent similar situations.
• IDR 500 billion is currently available in the 2025 APBN for disaster management in Sumatra.

Moving forward, a collaborative effort between the DPR, BNPB, Kemenkeu, and the Indonesian Army is crucial to establish a more effective and efficient disaster response system. This will ensure that aid reaches those in need quickly and responsibly, without resorting to independent actions that create financial burdens.