Baznas Assists Search for Missing Journalists in Sunda Strait
The National Board of Zakat (Baznas), through its disaster response unit (BTB), is actively assisting in the search and rescue efforts for a group of journalists who lost contact in the waters of the Sundable Strait, Carita District, Pandeglang Regency, Banten.
The group consists of five journalists and three crew members reported missing while covering activities related to Mount Anak Krakatau. Search efforts are being conducted by a joint SAR team across the Sunda Strait waters.
Idy Muzayyad, Head of Distribution, Utilisation, and Empowerment at Baznas RI, stated that Baznas’ involvement is part of a humanitarian response to support the search and rescue process.
“Baznas continues to strive to be present in emergency and humanitarian situations. In conditions such as this, we support the search and rescue efforts alongside relevant agencies to ensure the handling process proceeds effectively,” Idy said in a written statement in Jakarta on Friday (11/9).
Idy emphasised that cross-agency coordination is a vital component of every disaster response undertaken by Baznas.
“In its implementation, we continue to coordinate with all parties involved in the field. We hope the entire search process can run optimally and that the journalists and crew members can be found safe and sound,” he added.
On Wednesday (9/9), the Banten BTB conducted site assessments and coordinated with the National SAR Operation Post, the Pandeglang Police, and the Pandeglang Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD). The Baznas team is also synergising with the Banten Provincial SAR, Banten Regional Police, BPBD Pandeglang, and the Banten Volunteer Desk to support the rescue operations.
The joint SAR team has expanded the search area for the five journalists and three crew members to cover 3,243 nautical miles. The Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) has deployed ships and thermal drones, and has already discovered life jackets and floating bottles, which Basarnas is currently identifying.
Basarnas Head Mohammad Syafii has urged local residents assisting in the search to strictly follow safety procedures. Basarnas has confirmed that the Search and Rescue (SAR) operations for the group lost in the Sunda Strait waters will be optimised over a seven-day period.
Furthermore, the Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR RI), Puan Maharani, has requested that the search operation for the group near Mount Anak Krakatau be maximised with full support from the Indonesian Navy. Similarly, Member of Parliament Mahfudz Abdurrahman has called on Basarnas, the TNI, and the National Police to deploy maximum resources to locate the missing individuals.