Prabowo Orders Strengthened Disaster Mitigation and Additional Budget
Health facilities are operating around the clock to respond to a potential surge in patients.
President Prabowo Subianto has instructed government officials to strengthen disaster mitigation by preparing equipment and larger budget allocations before disasters strike. Prabowo emphasised this given Indonesia’s geographical position within the Ring of Fire.
The instruction was delivered while the President chaired a limited meeting on natural disaster management virtually on Monday (7/9). In his remarks, Prabowo highlighted various current disaster threats, ranging from the earthquake in Flores and the activity of Mount Anak Krakatau, to the threat of forest and land fires.
“This is our destiny as a nation located on the Ring of Fire. So this means we must be ready to face circumstances like this at any moment,” said Prabowo.
The President stressed the importance of drawing up a comprehensive and massive disaster mitigation master plan. He asked the relevant ministers to apply the principle of ‘better to have too much than too little’ in logistics and equipment planning. Prabowo wants preparations to be made well in advance and significantly, rather than merely reacting once conditions have deteriorated.
Specifically, Prabowo requested additional helicopters, water pumps, fire engines, and small excavators to be stationed in villages prone to forest and land fires. In addition, the government plans to harness advanced technology by converting an Italian-origin aircraft carrier into a helicopter and drone carrier capable of accommodating up to 10 medium-class helicopters such as Black Hawks or MI-17s.
Regarding weather modification, the President asked the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) to study the most efficient substances for cloud-seeding operations. He also encouraged the procurement of large drones capable of dropping water at disaster sites as supporting equipment on the front line.
While praising the swift disaster response in Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra, Prabowo offered critical evaluation regarding delays in tackling forest fires at several points. He asked all ministries and agencies, including the TNI, the National Police, BNPB and BMKG, to continue coordinating in post-disaster recovery, particularly in areas affected by the Flores earthquake.