BNPB Chief Lt Gen Kristomei Reveals Prabowo’s Order: ‘Keep Going!’
Lt Gen Kristomei Sianturi has been appointed head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) by President Prabowo Subianto. Kristomei outlined Prabowo’s guidance on disaster management.
“I was sworn in today by President Prabowo Subianto as head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB). The ceremony was preceded by my promotion from major general to lieutenant general. As of today, I am officially serving as head of BNPB,” Kristomei said at the State Palace in Jakarta on Thursday (15 October 2026).
“We are facing various disasters, including forest fires, floods and the eruption of Mount Merapi. We will focus on these issues, guided by the principles of collaboration, responsiveness, integration and coordination,” he added.
Kristomei said BNPB could not manage disasters on its own, invoking the analogy of a rope made up of many strands. He said cooperation was needed from all ministries and agencies, the Indonesian Military (TNI), the National Police (Polri), the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the public and the newly established National Peatland and Mangrove Management Agency (BPGMN).
“There must be coordination between the central and regional governments, including with the public. We must not rely on the agency alone. Let us work together, because this is a shared problem. It affects not just one or two people, but almost everyone living in the affected area,” he said.
As the new chief, Kristomei said he would first consolidate the agency internally and assess the situation, while also moving quickly on disaster response. He also disclosed Prabowo’s instruction.
“His instruction was: ‘Keep going. Carry out your duties well,’” he added.
Prabowo appointed Lt Gen Kristomei Sianturi as BNPB chief, replacing Lt Gen Suharyanto, at the Presidential Palace in Central Jakarta on Thursday (15 October).
Kristomei previously served as commander of Radin Inten Military Regional Command in Lampung. He has also served as head of the Indonesian Military Information Centre.