After NTT Earthquake, Cak Imin Assures Public Safety Is the Priority
Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment Abdul Muhaimin Iskandar, known as Cak Imin, has expressed his deepest condolences over the earthquake that struck East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) on Saturday (15/8/2026).
The magnitude 7.7 earthquake was centred at sea, approximately 30 kilometres northeast of Mbay, Nagekeo Regency, Flores, NTT. The tremors reportedly caused casualties and damage across several areas, including Sikka, Manggarai, East Manggarai, Ende, and West Manggarai regencies.
In addition to causing deaths and injuries, the disaster resulted in significant damage to residential homes, educational facilities, health centres, places of worship, and various other public facilities.
“On behalf of myself and the entire family of the Coordinating Ministry for Community Empowerment, I express my deepest condolences over the earthquake that struck NTT. May all the victims who lost their lives find the best place beside God Almighty, and may the bereaved families be granted strength and fortitude,” said Cak Imin in an official statement on Sunday (16/8).
Cak Imin stressed that in an emergency situation such as this, public safety must be the highest priority. He assured that the government would continue to move swiftly to address the needs of affected residents, both during the emergency response phase and the long-term recovery process.
“The most important thing at present is ensuring public safety. The government will continue working to handle the impact of this disaster and ensure that affected communities receive the protection and assistance they need,” he asserted.
Furthermore, the coordinating minister called on all elements of the nation to provide moral and material support to the people of NTT who are facing difficult times. He emphasised the importance of cross-sector synergy so that on-the-ground handling can proceed effectively.
According to him, the central government will continue to monitor developments in the field in real time to ensure that recovery and reconstruction efforts in the affected areas are carried out in an integrated manner.
“The government will not stand idly by. The response must be carried out together, quickly and in a coordinated manner, so that communities can immediately recover and resume their lives,” Cak Imin concluded.