DPD Chairman Expresses Concern Over Missing Journalists in Krakatau Incident Due to Their Crucial Role
The Chairman of the Regional Representative Council (DPD RI), Sultan B. Najamudin, has expressed his concern over the disappearance of five journalists and their crew members while covering the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau in the Sunda Strait, noting that the journalism profession plays a crucial role in information needs.
According to him, the loss of these five journalists is a deeply distressing event for the nation’s press world. He has urged the Search and Rescue (SAR) teams to continue their efforts in searching for the missing journalists.
“The journalism profession plays a very crucial role in providing actual and accurate information to the public,” Sultan stated in a briefing in Jakarta on Friday.
He added that every press company and journalist must understand that the safety of a journalist’s life is the supreme law that must be prioritised above the ambition to obtain news. Therefore, he stated that the activities of reporting and disseminating events must always consider security aspects.
“The dangers in natural disaster areas, such as the eruption of Anak Krakatau, are situations that cannot be challenged,” Najamudin said.
Previously, the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) confirmed that the search and rescue operations for the group of journalists who lost contact in the waters of the Sunda Strait, Pandeglang, Banten, during the coverage of Mount Anak Krakatau’s activity, will be optimised over a seven-day period.
The Head of Basarnas, Air Marshal Mohammad Syafii, stated in a press conference in Pandeglang on Thursday (10/9) that this is in accordance with the International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue (IAMSAR) guidelines.
He added that up to the third day of the search operation, the deployment of joint forces continues to be intensified massively and in a coordinated manner, involving various agencies.
“We are continuing the operation. Referring to the IAMSAR guidelines, this operation will be carried out consecutively for seven days. On the seventh day, we will conduct an evaluation meeting involving all parties,” Syafii said.