The visit formed part of Prabowo’s working tour of disaster-affected districts, aimed at reviewing progress on emergency works and accelerating recovery for communities cut off by damaged transport links.
Prabowo arrived in Padang Pariaman earlier on Thursday and went directly to the Padang Mantuang site to conduct a field inspection of the temporary steel bridge.
He was accompanied by Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi, West Sumatra Governor Mahyeldi and Padang Pariaman District Head John Kenedy Azis.
At the site, the president walked onto the bridge, checking its condition and structural stability, and spoke with Indonesian military personnel involved in the construction. Standing mid-span, Prabowo spoke with Regent John K. Azis, asking about key local commodities.
After inspecting the bridge, Prabowo greeted residents and children who lined up to welcome him, shaking hands and acknowledging their presence despite difficult circumstances.
From Padang Pariaman, the president continued his itinerary to Tanah Datar District, following an earlier visit to Agam district to review evacuation centres and temporary housing.
In Agam’s Salareh Aia Village, Prabowo said construction of temporary shelters was under way and targeted for completion within one month. He said the shelters would allow displaced families to leave evacuation tents, while the government prepared plans for permanent housing.
Prabowo said permanent homes would meet adequate standards, with a planned size of about 70 square metres, and would be built once temporary facilities were finished.
He praised the cooperation of the military, police, disaster agency and central and local governments in responding to floods and landslides across West Sumatra.
The president said the government would continue monitoring conditions and taking steps to restore livelihoods, stressing that affected communities would not face recovery alone after disasters.
Prabowo arrived in West Sumatra on Wednesday to inspect three disaster-hit locations in Agam, Padang Pariaman and Tanah Datar, following severe flooding and landslides.
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Translator: Fathur R, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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