Indonesian Parliament Demands Urgent Search for Missing Journalists
Indonesian lawmakers push for maximum search efforts to locate five journalists missing at sea while covering the erupting Anak Krakatau volcano.
JAKARTA — Indonesian lawmakers have launched an urgent appeal for the country's search and rescue agency, Basarnas, to ramp up operations following the disappearance of five journalists. The group lost contact on Monday, Sept. 7, 2026, while navigating the Sunda Strait to report on volcanic activity at Mount Anak Krakatau.
Parliamentary Oversight and Rescue Demands
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Saan Mustopa, urged authorities to exhaust all available resources to find the missing reporters. Addressing reporters at the parliamentary complex in Jakarta on Wednesday, Mustopa stressed the sensitivity of the situation, noting that the families of the missing individuals remain in a state of high anxiety. "Parliament will continue to push all relevant parties to conduct a serious and maximum effort to locate them," Mustopa stated.
The missing group includes Muhammad Bagus Khoirunas of Antara, Arie Basuki of Merdeka, Yudis of iNews, Daus of Anadolu, and freelance journalist Donal. The journalists were traveling by boat to capture images and report on the escalating eruptions of the volcanic island when communication was severed.
Operational Mobilization
Syaiful Huda, Deputy Chairman of Commission V—the parliamentary body overseeing infrastructure and transportation—has specifically called for the deployment of heavy-duty equipment to bridge the search gap. Huda highlighted the urgent need for air support, suggesting that the mobilization of helicopters could provide a critical aerial vantage point to pinpoint the missing boat's location.
"We have requested Basarnas to conduct rescue efforts as quickly as possible and deploy the best equipment available," Huda stated on Wednesday. "Our priority is to ensure their status is confirmed immediately, and we remain hopeful that they are currently sheltering on a nearby island."
On the ground, Banten Police Chief Inspector General Hengki is coordinating with the joint Search and Rescue (SAR) task force. Establishing a command center in Pandeglang, the authorities are balancing the risks posed by the volcano's ongoing eruptions against the necessity of a swift, high-intensity rescue mission. Inspector General Hengki emphasized that all teams involved in the operation are required to maintain strict coordination and peak operational readiness.
Safety Concerns for Media Personnel
Beyond the immediate rescue effort, the incident has renewed debate within the legislature regarding the safety protocols for media personnel operating in disaster-stricken areas. Deputy Speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad noted that the parliament is monitoring the situation hour-by-hour. He affirmed that the legislature has already pressured relevant state institutions to ensure the search operations are conducted with maximum efficiency, as the unpredictable nature of the volcanic activity in the Sunda Strait remains a significant threat to all teams currently in the vicinity.
