Chairman of DPD Urges Intensified Search for Journalists in Sunda Strait

The Chairman of the Regional Representative Council (DPper) of the Republic of Indonesia, Sultan Bachtiar Najamudin, has expressed deep concern and condolences regarding the disappearance of five journalists while covering the activities of Mount Anak Krakatau in the waters of the Sunda Strait.

Sultan has urged the joint Search and Rescue (SAR) team to continue maximising the search process for the five journalists and three ship crew members who remain missing. “On behalf of the DPD RI institution, we express our deep concern and condolences to the families of the five journalists who have not yet been found. This is a very heartbreaking event for the press in our country,” Sultan stated in an official statement on Thursday (10/09/2026).

The five journalists reported missing since the beginning of this week are Ari Basuki (Merdeka.com), Bagus Khoirunas (LKBN ANTARA), Yudhistiro Pranoto (iNews), Firdaus Wajidi (Anadolu News Agency), and Donal Husni (freelance journalist).

Sultan emphasised that although the journalism profession plays a crucial role in providing accurate and up-to-date information to the public, life safety must remain the highest priority above the ambition to obtain news. “The dangers in natural disaster areas, such as the eruption of Anak Krakatau, are situations that cannot be challenged. Therefore, we request that press companies must equip journalists with training, knowledge, insurance, and proper personal protective equipment before being deployed to dangerous areas,” the former Deputy Governor of Bengkulu asserted.

As of Thursday afternoon (10/09/2026), the third day of search operations sweeping the waters of the Sunda Strait, Banten, is still being conducted by joint teams to locate all victims. The Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) has discovered life jackets and floating bottle buoys during the search, which Basarnas is currently identifying.