Jakarta, Feb. 18 -- The Indonesian government and the House of Representatives (DPR) have agreed to streamline the disbursement of emergency response funds for disaster management to prevent bureaucratic delays.

During a coordination meeting in Jakarta on Wednesday, DPR Deputy Speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad said the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) currently has around Rp4.3 trillion (approximately US$255.3 million) available, which is below the required funding for emergency response efforts.

He stressed that the Public Works Ministry should not proceed with field work while the funding source remains unclear.

Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo explained that his ministry's emergency response budget appeared to have been removed...