By 
15-05-2026 | Luna Djellout | Asia Team Researcher, Global Human Rights Defence.
Survivors of the deadly 2025 floods and landslides in Sumatra have filed a lawsuit against the Indonesian government, alleging failures in reconstruction efforts and disaster prevention. The case also raises concerns over environmental degradation and state responsibility in managing forest-use policies.
In May 2026 survivors of the catastrophic floods and landslides that struck the Indonesian island of Sumatra filed a lawsuit against the government demanding accountability. According to Reuters, seven victims brought the case against Indonesia’s president, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the national disaster mitigation agency before the Jakarta State Administrative. The case concerns the 2025 floods that reportedly killed at least 1,200 people and damaged around 600,000 buildings.
According to their legal representatives, the plaintiffs argue the government is failing to adequately respond post-disaster as the financial resources allocated to support reconstruction efforts are insufficient to cover the extent of the damage. Thus, they are calling on the government to grant national disaster status to the affected provinces. Such a designation would oblige the state to financially support reconstruction efforts and provide temporary housing.
Furthermore, the plaintiffs argue the government is failing to adequately address disaster prevention. In fact, according to Greenpeace Indonesia, which is part of the coalition representing the plaintiffs, the flooding is a consequence of the widespread deforestation and the lack of environmental protections. Consequently, the plaintiffs also call for a moratorium on new forest-use, mining, and plantation permits until environmental rehabilitation is completed.
