Indonesia Allots Rp5 Trillion for Disaster Management, Including Forest Fires

Indonesia's Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa announced an allocation of Rp5 trillion for disaster management, with a significant portion designated for combating forest fires through the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB). The government has signaled its willingness to increase this budget if the expenses for wildfire control escalate.

"They have Rp5 trillion. If it's not enough, we'll add more later," Purbaya stated at the Ministry of Finance in Jakarta. He noted that the BNPB has not yet submitted its total budget requirement for forest fire management. The Ministry of Finance will assess and adjust support based on the agency's operational needs on the ground.

Purbaya emphasized that the government is prepared to raise the disaster management budget, but the final amount depends on the BNPB's specific needs for wildfire handling. He contrasted this with the budget required for the Aceh disaster, which was on a much larger scale. The minister highlighted that disaster management receives special government attention due to its direct impact on public safety and interests.

However, Purbaya cautioned against the misuse or unreasonable escalation of the disaster management budget. He stressed that this fund requires a distinct approach compared to general government spending, as it is intrinsically linked to public safety. The minister warned that the budget must be utilized responsibly and strictly according to identified needs.

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They have Rp5 trillion. If it's not enough, we'll add more later.