Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia at the 2021 National Development Coordination Meeting of the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), 29 July 2021, from Merdeka Palace, Jakarta

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,
May peace be upon us all,
Om Swastiastu,
Namo Buddhaya,
Greetings of Virtue.

Distinguished Ministers of the Indonesia Onward Cabinet;
Distinguished Head of BMKG (the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency) and BMKG officials at central and regional levels;
Distinguished Regional Heads.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

Our country, Indonesia, is exposed to a high risk of geo- and hydrometeorological disasters. The number of geo- and hydrometeorological disasters has significantly increased year after year. Its frequency and intensity also continue to increase, even surge. We also face multi-disasters at the same time.

Take, for example, the earthquake. Within a period of 2008-2016, around 5,000 to 6,000 quakes hit Indonesia per year. In 2017, the number increased to 7,169 and in 2019, the number jumped to more than 11,500. The frequency, duration, and intensity of extreme weather and tropical cyclone also increased. Within a period of 1981-2020, El Nĩno or La Nina occurred faster, at intervals of two to three years, compared to that of 1950-1980, when the anomaly happened at intervals of five to seven years.

As the challenges continue to increase, we have to strengthen our resilience to disasters, to strengthen management of disaster handling, anticipation, and mitigation in order to minimize risks of fatalities, damages, and property losses.

Distinguished Guests,

On this auspicious occasion, I would like to deliver several points of note.

First, the BMKG must create innovations and use the cutting-edge technology in providing their services. Do improve adaptation to the technology for the purposes of faster and more accurate observation, analysis, prediction, and early warning so we can minimize the risks.

Second, warning from the BMKG must be used as a reference in decision making process of the Government in various sectors.

Information from the BMKG, such as regarding drought, extreme weather, quake, and air quality, must be taken into account and serves as a reference to draw up policies and development plans on various sectors.

Let me remind you that the policies at the national and regional levels must anticipate disaster risks.

Therefore, I call on ministries/institutions, regional governments to enhance synergy and collaboration with the BMKG.

The BMKG must be able to provide accurate information the public can obtain in an easy and fast manner. Thus, information and data provided by the BKMG can be used by ministries and institutions, and regional governments in drawing up policies and development plans.

Third, the BMKG must continue to improve capacity of disaster management and adaptation, particularly at regions, sub-districts, villages, and provinces.

We must draw up good management design covering pre-disaster, emergency response, and post-disaster management by involving the Government, private sector, and the public.

We must also simulate this management so we will be ready to act and work if the disaster occurs.

Fourth, the BMKG must provide sustainable education to the people particularly those living in disaster-prone regions.

Public alertness and resilience against disaster risks must continue to be increased. Culture of alertness must be embodied in people’s daily routine. We must also use local wisdom to increase people’s alertness.

For those reasons, I order BMKG not to only give information regarding weather, climate, quake, and tsunami in a swift manner and wider coverage but also to create synergy with the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) in educating the public on preparedness in facing disasters.

The public must be encouraged to seek accurate information from reliable sources and avoid false news and hoaxes.

That is all the points that must become our concerns.

By saying bismillahirrahmanirrahim, I declare the 2021 National Development Coordination Meeting of the BMKG officially open today.

I thank you.

Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
Om santi santi santi om. (RAS/MUR)