MPR Leaders Highlight Disaster Threats, Call for Stronger Mitigation

Indonesia’s strength should not be measured by whether it can avoid disasters, MPR Deputy Speaker Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono said. It should be measured by whether the country can prepare for them and protect its people when they strike.

Yudhoyono, widely known as Ibas, urged the government and communities to reinforce mitigation measures and readiness. He pointed to disasters across the country, including an earthquake in East Nusa Tenggara, a fire in a customary area of West Nusa Tenggara, drought in parts of Java, and forest and land fires in Kalimantan.

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A strong country is not a country that never faces disasters. A strong country is one that is ready to face disasters and able to protect its people.

Renewed activity at Mount Anak Krakatau, he added, served as another reminder that Indonesia faces significant disaster risks. “Let us remember our brothers and sisters who are facing disasters,” he said, listing the affected regions and other disasters.

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The impact is not only physical damage. Transport is disrupted, education is disrupted, and economic activity is disrupted. Most importantly, public safety is threatened.

The impact of disasters extends beyond damaged buildings and infrastructure, Yudhoyono said. Transport, education and economic activity can all be disrupted, while the safety of communities remains at risk.

For that reason, he said disaster management should not concentrate only on the response after an event. The government must build a stronger, integrated mitigation and preparedness system before disasters occur. Yudhoyono also called on the public and parliament to monitor government efforts so that protecting residents does not begin only after disaster has struck. “We must continue to oversee the government’s efforts to strengthen mitigation and preparedness,” he said.

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We must continue to oversee the government’s efforts to strengthen mitigation and preparedness.