DPD RI Speaker Sultan Discusses Development of the Sumatra Economic Corridor and Flood Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction

11 September 2026 oleh admin

Batam, dpd.go.id - Sultan Baktiar Najamudin, Speaker of the House of Regional Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia (DPD RI), encouraged regional governments across Sumatra to collaborate in consolidating and developing natural resource potential in an integrated manner. The former Deputy Governor of Bengkulu made this statement while delivering remarks at the DPD RI Sub-Region I meeting in Batam, Riau Islands, on Friday (September 11).

"The Sumatra region has extraordinary natural resource potential, both on land and at sea. However, Sumatra's strategic location has also presented serious challenges from natural disasters in recent years," said Sultan.

Much of Sumatra is Indonesia's westernmost outpost, right on the international trade route between the Strait of Malacca and the Indian Ocean.

"There are many island regions in this region. Therefore, it is necessary to establish a more systematic and integrated economic and business corridor or ecosystem," he added. In addition, the 6th speaker of the DPD RI encouraged the Central and Regional Governments to continue coordinating to prepare effective and innovative steps in the rehabilitation and reconciliation process after the natural disasters of floods and landslides in Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra.

"For us, recovery shouldn't just be about restoring what was damaged. We must rebuild with the principle of 'build back better, safer, and more sustainably,'" he explained. He emphasized that the infrastructure built must be more resilient. Connectivity must be strengthened. The community economy must be rejuvenated.

"And most importantly, the community, especially children, can return to school and have a safer future," he concluded.

Present at the Sub-Regional Meeting I were Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Bima Arya, the Governor of West Sumatra, the Governor of the Riau Islands, the Deputy Governor of Aceh, and dozens of Regents/Mayors. The Sultan, along with 37 members of the DPD RI from 10 provinces across Sumatra, also gathered the Regents' and Mayors' aspirations regarding the efficiency of regional transfer funds (TKD) and the development of special economic zones (SEZs) and Free Trade Zones (FTZs).