Prabowo Stresses No 'Disaster Tourism' Culture Amid Crisis Handling

President Prabowo Subianto issued a stern warning to officials and public figures against turning disaster sites into stages for self-promotion. He highlighted the phenomenon of officials visiting disaster-affected areas merely to capture moments, without providing tangible contributions to victims on the ground.

The head of state emphasized that officials' presence at disaster sites must be grounded in the purpose of helping, working, and resolving problems faced by the community. He bluntly rejected activities he termed the "disaster tourism" culture.

"I implore officials and figures not to come to disaster areas just for photo-ops and to be seen as present, please. I ask for the opposite. We don't want a disaster tourism culture. No. If you come, there must genuinely be an objective to help solve problems," stated Prabowo during the Plenary Cabinet Meeting at the State Palace, Jakarta, on Monday.

According to Prabowo, the disaster tourism trend is not only inappropriate to display but also wounds empathy for people enduring difficult circumstances.

He requested that visits to disaster sites be conducted only by leaders with relevant duties, authority, and portfolios related to crisis management.

The President also reminded officials not to treat communities as objects at disaster sites.

The state's presence, Prabowo said, should deliver concrete solutions, from fulfilling basic needs to restoring severed access.

"I see a tendency for disaster tourism, this is not good. Yes, the people there should not be made objects. We go there to genuinely seek problems, witness difficulties, and take action. We see there's a lack of clean water here, what's the action? There's a fuel shortage, still isolated, what's the action? And so on," Prabowo emphasized.

Amidst this criticism, Prabowo also expressed appreciation to ministers, deputy ministers, heads of agencies and institutions, and CEOs of strategic SOEs like PLN and Pertamina, whom he met during his working visit to three disaster-affected provinces: Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.

The President lauded the cross-agency solidarity in disaster response. He assessed that the collaboration between the TNI, Polri, BNPB (National Disaster Management Agency), Basarnas (National Search and Rescue Agency), Joint SAR Teams, and the Ministry of Public Works formed a crucial foundation in accelerating evacuations, aid distribution, and infrastructure recovery.

Volunteers working alongside communities on the ground also received special recognition from Prabowo. He appreciated their role in aiding evacuation processes, distributing assistance, and reopening access previously severed by the disaster.

Concluding his directive, Prabowo called on all parties to shed ego and narrow interests during the emergency situation. The primary focus, he stressed, must be tangible work and solidarity. (Antara)