Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Puan Maharani, has urged the government to immediately enhance national preparedness amid increasing volcanic activity of Mount Anak Krakatau in the Sunda Strait. According to her, the status of the volcano, which is currently at Level III (Alert), should serve as an important wake-up call for Indonesia to continuously overhaul its disaster mitigation system thoroughly and sustainably.
Puan stressed that public safety, particularly for residents living along the coasts of the Sunda Strait, must be the top priority. Although geological disasters such as volcanic eruptions cannot be physically prevented, adverse impacts and casualties can be minimized through a responsive, integrated, and accurate scientific data-based early warning system.
The former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs (Menko PMK) also encouraged the government to use this momentum to evaluate the effectiveness of evacuation routes and logistical readiness in high-risk areas. Periodic evaluations are deemed crucial to ensure smooth inter-ministerial and agency coordination—such as BMKG, PVMBG, and BNPB—without bureaucratic hurdles during emergency situations.
Furthermore, Puan highlighted the importance of fast, valid, single-window information dissemination to prevent public panic or the spread of fake news (hoaxes). Up-to-date information regarding volcanic activity must be ensured to reach local fishermen and mariners operating in the Sunda Strait for their safety.
Finally, Puan committed that the DPR RI will continue to oversee the implementation of this disaster mitigation strengthening program, ranging from modernizing early detection equipment to disaster education for local communities. This step is expected to ease public anxiety, especially for those still traumatized by the 2018 Sunda Strait tsunami.
