Prabowo Requests Rice Aid Extension Until End of 2026, Government Eyes El Niño Impact

President Prabowo Subianto has instructed the government to extend rice assistance to the public until the end of 2026. The government is preparing to continue aid distribution for October, November, and December, following the current program which runs until September. Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto conveyed this directive after a meeting at the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta. According to Hartarto, the government also discussed readiness to face El Niño and various assistance programs currently underway this year. "The rice assistance that arrived in September was 30 kg, and the President's direction is to continue in the following months, namely October, November, and December," said Airlangga. However, he did not specify the amount of rice each family would receive during the October to December period or the budget prepared for it. In addition to food assistance, the government is monitoring the impact of disasters on economic activities in several regions. Airlangga explained that a contraction in economic activity has been confirmed in disaster-affected areas, and the government is continuing to monitor which programs and sectors are affected. The government is also observing the impact of several volcanic eruptions on community activities. Disruptions have been seen in the aviation sector, affecting cargo transportation that relies on air transport. "Logistics is definitely in the aviation sector, and disruptions are occurring because the aviation sector is also related to cargo transportation," said Airlangga. He added that the government will continue to monitor how long these flight disruptions will last.