Bakom RI Urges Stronger Disaster Preparedness in Indonesia

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Head of the Indonesian Government Communication Office (Bakom RI), Muhammad Qodari, stressed the importance of strengthening public preparedness to face various disaster risks. He made the remarks to the media in Jakarta on Monday September 21, 2026, after attending the Indonesia-China Digital City & Security Technology Application Forum 2026, highlighting Indonesia’s position as a country located in the Ring of Fire.

“Indonesia is located in the Ring of Fire, and since this is our reality, we must prepare ourselves as well as possible,” Qodari said. He emphasized that preparations need to be further improved to ensure that communities are better equipped to respond to potential disaster situations.

He also said he had discussed a more comprehensive mechanism for anticipation and prevention with relevant parties, including the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), before the event. He explained that prevention should also focus on ensuring that communities are better prepared to face potential risks.

“Prevention means ensuring that our people are better prepared for these situations and conditions,” Qodari said. He added that strengthening community preparedness should be part of a broader effort to develop a more comprehensive disaster risk management mechanism.

Qodari also noted that President Prabowo Subianto has expressed a commitment to strengthening emergency services in Indonesia. “The President has also expressed his commitment to strengthening emergency services in Indonesia; we will see what form this will take going forward,” he said.

According to him, public awareness of the various risks faced by Indonesia needs to become part of the national approach to dealing with the country’s geographical conditions. At the same time, he stressed that these risks also come alongside various benefits and opportunities for Indonesia.

“Alongside these risks, there are also many benefits and advantages that we can gain; for example, Indonesia is one of the most fertile countries in the world,” Qodari said. He noted that Indonesia’s natural wealth includes agricultural resources as well as mineral resources, which represent important assets for the country.

He further emphasized that Indonesia needs to optimize these resources while strengthening its ability to anticipate existing risks. “We are Indonesians, we live in Indonesia, and we must optimize Indonesia’s potential while doing our best to anticipate the risks that exist,” he said.