PR No 1/2019: Military Personnel May be Appointed as Disaster Mitigation Agency Head

In a bid to improve performance of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), the Government deems it necessary to restructure the Agency by adding work units, revising nomenclature and main duties and functions of the existing work units.

Based on this consideration, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on 8 January 2019 signed Presidential Regulation Number 1 of 2019 on National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) (link: Presidential Regulation No 1 of 2019 on BNPB).

“The BNPB shall be under and responsible directly to the President. BNPB shall be led by a Head,” Article 2 paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Presidential Regulation reads.

The Presidential Regulation also states that in the event of national disaster, BNPB shall exercise its command function in handling disaster and emergency condition.

In performing its tasks and functions, BNPB shall be coordinated by the ministry which coordinates, synchronizes, and controls ministry’s affairs in implementing government matter on human development and culture.

Based on this Regulation, BNPB shall comprise: a. Head;  b. Steering Element; and c. Executing Element. “The Head shall have the task of leading BNPB in performing its tasks and functions,” Article 8 reads.

Steering Element shall be under and responsible to BNPB Head, have the task of providing inputs and suggestions to BNPB Head in disaster management.

Steering Element consists of a Chairperson, whose position is to be held by BNPB Head, and 20 (twenty) members comprising 11 (eleven) echelon Ia and echelon Ib officials nominated by Head of Governmental Institutions, and 9 (nine) members from professional community.

Moreover, Executing Element that is under and responsible to BNPB Head consists of: a. Chief Secretariat, led by Chief Secretary; b. Deputy for System and Strategy; c. Deputy for Prevention; d. Deputy for Emergency Management; e. Deputy for Rehabilitation and Reconstruction; f. Deputy for Logistics and Equipment; and g. Chief Inspectorate, led by Chief Inspector.

Under this Presidential Regulation, Head of BNPB is also appointed and dismissed by the President. “The Head shall be a civil servant, Indonesian National Defense Forces personnel, Indonesian National Police member, or professional,” Article 63 reads.

In addition, the BNPB Head shall be granted financial and administrative rights on an equal level to that of a Minister.

The Presidential Regulation also states that members of Steering Element originating from Government committees are nominated by Head of government institution to the BNPB Head. The Head shall nominate member candidates to the President for appointment as members of Steering Element.

Meanwhile, members of Steering Element originating from the professionals are nominated by BNPB Head to the President. The list of 18 (eighteen) professionals shall be submitted to the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia to undergo a fit and proper test in accordance with the provisions of laws and regulations.

Nine member candidates approved by the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia shall be appointed and stipulated by the President to serve as members of Steering Element for a 5 (five)-year term of service.

With this Presidential Regulation having taken effect, Presidential Regulation Number 8 of 2008 on National Disaster Mitigation Agency shall be revoked and declared null and void.

This Presidential Regulation shall apply as of the date of its promulgation,” Article 80 of Presidential Regulation Number 1 of 2019 which is stipulated by Minister of Law and Human Rights Yasonna H. Laoly on 8 January 2019 reads.(Pusdatin/ES)

Translated by : Rany Anjany Subachrum
Edited by : Muhardi