January 27, 2026 | 07:21 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian government flounders every time disaster strikes the country, says chair of Indonesian House Commission V, Lasarus. Indonesia, he says, lacks a solid disaster handling mechanism, despite how frequent—almost daily—floods, landslides, and earthquakes occur across different regions.
Lasarus brings this up during a working meeting with the Ministry of Public Works and other institutions to discuss disaster management and emergency financing. Quoting numerous public complaints, he highlights the lack of inter-agency coordination and the slow-moving delivery of essential needs for displaced residents in disaster-hit areas.
"We need a solid mechanism, so we don't flounder when a disaster strikes," says the politician from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle Faction during the Post-Sumatra Disaster Commission V meeting on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.
"Disasters happen every day, every moment. But there's no established mechanism."
Lasarus illustrates his point with the lack of clean water at disaster shelters even months after the disaster struck. According to him, simple solutions, such as shallow well drilling, should be promptly executed without being hindered by prolonged technical procedures. "It doesn't have to be 100 meters [deep]. Once water is found, it can be used immediately. This is emergency response," he said.
He also underscores the absence of a special post-disaster budget at the Ministry of Public Works, as emergency responses are supported by diverting the regular program budget thus far. This strategy, he says, will risk disrupting other development projects. Meanwhile, the ministry is involved in disaster management, as many infrastructures are damaged during disasters.
During the meeting, Lasarus proposes the establishment of a special disaster management directorate within the ministry, complete with a fixed budget allocation, so that emergency response no longer relies on bureaucratic wrangling.
"If a special directorate is necessary, let's create one. We'll prepare the budget. So we no longer flounder every time a disaster strikes. No more hassle in seeking funds," he says.
In response to emergency financing, Minister of Public Works Dody Hanggodo admits that his ministry often has to work without post-disaster-specific budget support, resorting to loans.
Lasarus calls for further discussions on institutional and emergency financing issues, as he believes resolving financing or bureaucratic hurdles will accelerate disaster responses in Indonesia.
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