Jakarta, Nov. 30 -- Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) member Rahmat Saleh has called on the government to declare a national disaster status in response to the devastating floods and landslides that have struck three provinces in Sumatra.

Saleh argued that such a declaration is urgently needed to accelerate recovery efforts, streamline aid distribution, and support evacuation operations.

"What matters now is ensuring that assistance reaches residents quickly. Regional governments have worked hard, but their capacity is limited," he said in a statement on Sunday.

He emphasized that a national disaster status would enhance coordination between central and local authorities and simplify the mobilization of critical resources, incl...