East Manggarai Regency Clarifies After District Head's Outburst at BNPB Official
The East Manggarai Regency administration has issued a clarification regarding Lamba Leda Utara District Head Agustinus Supratman, who was seen in a viral video berating an official from the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) at an earthquake aid post on Friday (21/8/2026).
“We wish to emphasise that the situation was fundamentally a matter of communication and coordination on the ground that had not yet been running optimally,” said East Manggarai Regional Secretary Winsensius Tala in a press release received by detikBali on Saturday (22/8/2026).
According to Winsensius, the East Manggarai Regency administration understands the high pressure involved in an emergency response situation. Each element is working with limited information and is required to make rapid decisions. This means differences in understanding are highly likely to occur.
“What is more important is not to magnify the problem, but to immediately straighten out communication, strengthen coordination, and ensure that all parties return to being oriented towards the same goal, namely providing the best service and assistance to the affected communities,” Winsensius stressed.
According to Winsensius, there is no interest in pitting one party against another. The district head, as an element of government in the area, has a responsibility to serve his community, while other elements on the ground also have a role in emergency management.
Winsensius emphasised that any differences that arise should be placed within the framework of coordination, not personal or institutional conflict. The East Manggarai Regency administration has encouraged the relevant parties to communicate and clarify directly so that the matter does not drag on.
“Going forward, cross-sector coordination will continue to be strengthened so that all handling measures have the same understanding and objectives,” Winsensius explained.
For Winsensius, the public in such conditions needs calm, certainty, and cooperation from all parties. The government is present not to seek who wins or loses.
“What we must win is the interest of the public. We are not facing each other. We are standing on the same side, on the side of the community,” Winsensius stated.
It was previously reported that a video went viral showing Lamba Leda Utara District Head Agustinus Supratman berating an official from the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB). Agustinus took issue with the amount of aid for earthquake victims received at the logistics post, which was not as much as the official had reported to other parties.
Agustinus vented his anger, even pointing at the face of the BNPB official, whose name was not yet known. He also repeatedly slammed a sack of rice in front of the BNPB official.
The video of Agustinus shouting at the BNPB official went viral on social media. The incident occurred at the main post of Lamba Leda Utara District on Friday (21/8/2026). Agustinus confirmed the incident.
“That is correct, the incident occurred at the district main post, in the logistics tent,” said Agustinus.