House Urges Basarnas to Map Risk Impact of Operational Budget 'Backlog'

Jakarta - Commission V of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) has asked Basarnas to immediately compile a comprehensive safety risk map to measure the real impact of budget reductions (backlog) on the response speed of emergency SAR operations. During a hearing with Basarnas and BMKG at the Parliament Building in Jakarta on Wednesday, Commission V member Abdul Hadi stated that this risk mapping is crucial to determine the extent to which fiscal limitations affect public safety. “We need clear indicators in the form of a safety risk map to see the direct impact of this Rp2.6 trillion budget backlog on the response time index of rescue operations,” he said. In addition to disaster risk mapping, Hadi requested Basarnas management to transparently update data on the technical feasibility of all functional fleets and evacuation equipment currently owned by the state. This re-inventory step aims to accurately sort the number of assets that are still in prime condition, those experiencing performance degradation, and vital main operational equipment that is already completely damaged and unusable. “The DPR wants to know the real figure of how many marine fleets, rescue vehicles, and SAR equipment can actually operate. Through this updated data, we can prioritise the most urgent financing posts,” he stated. Regarding the presentation of the 2027 budget work plan, the legislative body stated it will use this equipment inventory data as an objective basis for advocating additional capital expenditure for Basarnas. On the other hand, Hadi also provided strategic notes for the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), which is facing similar challenges with indicative budget ceiling restrictions for the upcoming fiscal year. He suggested BMKG implement a three-tier spending cluster system that places the fulfilment of ‘mandatory living’ needs and public safety as an absolute priority that must be funded first through minimum service standards. “With the existing budget limitations, BMKG must prioritise public safety aspects, then proceed to programmes for strengthening data service quality, and finally undertake institutional portfolio expansion,” he remarked. During the meeting, Basarnas and BMKG revealed that both are experiencing budget allocation reductions for the 2027 fiscal year. Basarnas only received a confirmed indicative ceiling of Rp1.25 trillion for 2027, whereas the institution’s projected ideal requirement for national disaster management reaches Rp3.86 trillion, resulting in a budget shortfall of Rp2.6 trillion. Meanwhile, BMKG is experiencing a budget shortfall or backlog of Rp2.48 trillion from the agency’s total calculated ideal requirement of Rp4.64 trillion.