Indonesian Lawmaker Urges Reporter Safety After Five Go Missing at Sea
Five journalists are missing near Anak Krakatau. Indonesia's Deputy Speaker of the House demands prioritize safety over field reporting.
JAKARTA — A senior Indonesian lawmaker has issued a blunt warning to the media following the disappearance of five journalists during an assignment at the erupting Anak Krakatau volcano in the Sunda Strait. Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Saan Mustopa urged reporters to prioritize personal safety over rapid news coverage, particularly in high-risk disaster zones.
The five journalists—Muhammad Bagus Khoirunas of Antara, Arie Basuki of Merdeka, Yudis of iNews, Daus of Anadolu, and freelancer Donal—have been missing since Monday, Sept. 7, 2026. The group departed from the Marina Pier in Lippo Carita, Pandeglang Regency, at 2:00 p.m. local time (WIB) aboard a speedboat accompanied by a tour guide and two crew members.
"It is essential to respect the risks when conducting field reporting, especially in areas affected by disasters," Saan said at the Parliament Complex in Jakarta on Wednesday. "These disaster zones pose significant threats not just to the public, but to those covering the events."
Search Operations Intensify
The mission was initially intended to be a routine field report, with the group reaching the volcanic site by 4:00 p.m. and planning a return to the mainland by 8:00 p.m. that same evening. However, communication abruptly ceased. Sukajadi Village Head Sandi Wyasa noted that the last known contact came from the tour guide, Heri Bonsay, who sent a photo to his wife at 6:14 p.m. stating that they were safe.
Reports indicate that severe weather conditions, characterized by powerful southern winds, hindered the return journey. It remains unclear whether the worsening sea state caused the vessel to suffer technical failure, disabled communication equipment, or led to a maritime accident.
"The House of Representatives will pressure all relevant parties, especially the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), to conduct an earnest and continuous search for these five journalists," Saan stated. He emphasized that establishing their status is a critical concern for both their colleagues and their families.
The Cost of Real-Time Reporting
The incident highlights the intensifying pressures on journalists in Indonesia, where demands for real-time reporting often collide with the harsh realities of extreme environmental hazards. While professional duty drives reporters to capture the most accurate, on-the-ground stories, safety protocols are frequently tested by the urgency of deadlines and public expectations.
Saan warned that the pursuit of a headline should never transform a journalist into the subject of the news itself. "Do not go into a high-risk area without thoroughly preparing for safety factors," he stressed, calling for a shift in industry culture where physical security is treated as the foundation of any disaster response operation rather than an afterthought.
