Earthquake Mitigation a Top Priority, Lestari Moerdijat Urges Education to be Included in Curriculum

In a discussion forum in Denpasar on Wednesday, Lestari noted that the series of earthquakes since the beginning of the year serves as a reminder of the high geological threat facing Indonesia. She highlighted activity in the Sulawesi Sea and North Maluku, as well as eruptions of several volcanoes such as Mount Ibu, Mount Dukono, and Anak Krakatau. “This topic is not about spreading fear, but about how we can collectively prepare anticipatory measures,” she said. Lestari emphasised that Indonesia faces multiple disaster threats, from earthquakes and volcanic eruptions to tsunamis. She pointed out that many buildings and settlements in the country still do not meet earthquake-resistant standards, which risks amplifying the damage if a strong tremor occurs. Beyond physical destruction, she also highlighted the danger of misinformation on social media that often triggers panic during disasters. The government, she urged, must tighten audits of building resilience, improve the readiness of public facilities, and expand public awareness campaigns regarding spatial planning in disaster-prone areas. “This preparedness must be continuously built, including how at the community level we can develop mitigation actions,” she stated. She concluded that strong cross-sector collaboration is essential for achieving adaptive resilience and providing maximum protection for all citizens amid Indonesia’s disaster-prone geography.