The Constitutional Court (MK) has altered the mechanism for\ndetermining national disaster status, stipulating that at least three\nout of five indicators must be met, with the number of casualties\nserving as the primary indicator. This change is seen as a necessary\ncatalyst for improving disaster management governance, ranging from\nmitigation and early warning systems to emergency response and\nrecovery.<\/p>\n
Ruling Number 261\/PUU-XXIII\/2025, read on 28 August 2026, interprets\nArticle 7, paragraph (2) of Law Number 24 of 2007 concerning Disaster\nManagement. The five indicators used include the number of casualties,\nproperty loss, damage to infrastructure and facilities, the extent of\nthe affected area, and socio-economic impact.<\/p>\n
Member of Commission VIII of the House of Representatives (DPR), I\nKetut Kariyasa Adnyability, stated that the ruling pertains to more than\njust the designation of national or regional disaster status. He\nbelieves this change should serve as a momentum to overhaul the entire\ndisaster management system.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe must use this as a momentum to improve disaster management\ngovernance comprehensively, starting from mitigation, preparedness,\nearly warning systems, emergency response, to rehabilitation and\nreconstruction,\u201d he said in a statement on Wednesday (16\/9\/2026).<\/p>\n
Kariyasa noted that the five indicators established by the\nConstitutional Court need to be immediately translated into objective\ntechnical parameters. Clear parameters are necessary to prevent\ndiffering interpretations when the government determines the status and\nlevel of a disaster.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe must ensure that there are no longer differing interpretations in\nthe field regarding when an indicator is considered met,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
In addition to the status designation, Kariyasa urged the\nstrengthening of the Early Warning System (EWS), particularly in\nhigh-risk areas. He noted that such systems must be integrated with\ninformation systems, communication channels, evacuation procedures, and\nthe readiness of both the government and the public.<\/p>\n
\u201cEarly warnings must reach the community in easily understandable\nlanguage and with sufficient time for people to save themselves,\u201d said\nKariyasa.<\/p>\n
He also encouraged increased budgeting for mitigation and\npreparedness so that disaster management is not solely focused on\npost-disaster handling. He argued that spending on risk reduction should\nbe viewed as an investment to minimise disaster impacts.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur paradigm must shift from being responsive to being more\npreventive. Spending on mitigation, preparedness, strengthening EWS,\npublic education, risk mapping, and building disaster-resilient\ninfrastructure must be viewed as an investment to save lives,\u201d he\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Previously, the Acting Head of the Data, Information, and Disaster\nCommunication Centre of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB),\nBerton SP Panjaitan, stated that his agency respects Constitutional\nCourt Ruling Number 261\/PUU-XXIII\/2025. He noted that the ruling\nprovides clarity regarding the designation of national or regional\ndisaster status.<\/p>\n
\u201cThrough this ruling, the Court stated that all five indicators do\nnot have to be met. Specifically for national disaster status, at least\nthree of those five must be met, and the number of casualties must be\nthe primary indicator,\u201d he said in a statement.<\/p>\n
Berton stated that declaring disaster status is a critical decision\nthat must be based on accurate data and real conditions on the ground.\nBNPB will continue to strengthen rapid assessments, data collection,\nimpact analysis, and the assessment of regional capabilities to assist\nthe government in decision-making.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, BNPB emphasised that a national disaster status is not\nthe only basis for the central government to assist regions. The central\ngovernment can still deploy personnel, equipment, logistics, funding,\nand technical support according to needs and authority.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis means that a disaster not designated as national does not mean\nit will not be handled by the central government. The priority is that\naffected communities immediately receive protection, rescue, basic\nneeds, services, and recovery,\u201d Berton added.<\/p>\n
The Constitutional Court ruling places the clarity of indicators as a\nvital aspect of disaster status designation. Simultaneously, the\neffectiveness of disaster management remains dependent on the readiness\nof the government and the community to reduce risks, respond to\nincidents, and accelerate recovery after disasters.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/constitutional-court-ruling-changes-national-disaster-designation-mandatory-indicators-revealed-1789570865", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }