Speaking after meeting the president at the State Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday, Muzani confirmed Prabowo had been briefed in detail on factors behind the disaster, including allegations of unchecked timber clearing.
He said field photos and video footage he reviewed showed large piles of drifting logs that did not appear to come from storm-damaged trees but from wood cut long before the floods.
The findings, he said, suggest illegal logging may have worsened the impact of flooding in Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra, provinces hit hardest in recent weeks.
“If this is true, it means illegal logging is out of control. Environmental authorities must take this seriously so our negligence today does not become a tragedy for future generations,” he said.
Asked whether the president had received similar evidence, Muzani said Prabowo had obtained complete input on the root causes of the disaster.
He declined to elaborate on the report’s contents or potential legal steps the government might pursue in response.
Muzani also avoided further questions about whether the government might impose sanctions or reshuffle ministers, leaving the palace grounds without additional comment.
Earlier, President Prabowo told survivors in Padang Pariaman, West Sumatra, that the government would not leave disaster-affected communities to face recovery alone.
“We are one family. You will not carry this burden alone,” he said, according to the Presidential Media Team.
He said weather conditions have improved, aid is flowing, and repairs to basic infrastructure are advancing.
“Electricity in North Sumatra is nearly restored. Water systems and bridges are being repaired. We will fix damaged homes,” he said, drawing cheers from residents.
Prabowo said some districts remain unreachable by land, but air routes — via helicopters and aircraft —ensure aid continues to reach isolated areas, including in Aceh.
He offered condolences to families who lost loved ones. “I pray you remain strong,” he said.
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Translator: Andi F, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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