Indonesia Eyes Merging Key Agencies for Disaster Mitigation
Indonesia's parliament supports President Prabowo's plan to merge BMKG and the Geological Agency to streamline disaster monitoring and response efforts.
JAKARTA — Indonesia’s House of Representatives Commission V has signaled strong support for President Prabowo Subianto's proposal to merge the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) with the Geological Agency. The move aims to consolidate the nation’s disaster mitigation infrastructure as the archipelago faces persistent threats from its position on the Pacific Ring of Fire.
Lasarus, the head of Commission V, which oversees infrastructure and transportation, endorsed the integration on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026, citing the urgent need for streamlined coordination. He argued that the two institutions already share significant operational overlaps that, if unified, would create a more agile and efficient national response system during volcanic eruptions and seismic events.
"The Geological Agency monitors volcanic activity, while the BMKG possesses the instrumentation and analytical capabilities to assess the impact of those eruptions," Lasarus said at the Parliament complex in Senayan. "Merging them is a practical, effective, and efficient step to improve communication and speed up response times."
Strengthening Ring of Fire Resilience
The proposal comes as Indonesia grapples with ongoing volcanic activity in regions including North Sumatra, East Java, and Halmahera. President Prabowo initially raised the possibility of the merger during a limited cabinet meeting via video conference from the Merdeka Palace on Monday, Sept. 7, 2026, emphasizing the necessity for constant monitoring of the country’s precarious geographical position.
"Given that we are located on the Ring of Fire, we must be prepared. Eruptions are occurring again in several areas," Prabowo stated during the meeting. He noted that while existing mitigation efforts have reached their maximum capacity, the government must continually evaluate and refine its early-warning systems to better protect vulnerable populations.
Administrative Challenges Ahead
The proposed integration presents complex administrative and structural hurdles. Currently, the Geological Agency operates under the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, while the BMKG functions as a non-ministerial government agency that reports directly to the President. Lawmakers acknowledge that resolving these jurisdictional lines will be the primary challenge for the executive branch.
Lasarus emphasized that the focus of the restructuring should remain on operational efficiency rather than bureaucratic friction. He indicated that the House of Representatives is prepared to back the government’s efforts, provided the transition maintains the continuity of essential services.
"The government will need to determine the technical mechanisms and which ministry will oversee the new entity," Lasarus noted. "Ultimately, these are administrative matters. What matters most is that we prioritize the effectiveness of our disaster response to ensure the safety of the public."
