Basarnas Chief Mohammad Syafii, during a hearing at the House of Representatives (DPR) here on Tuesday, said the fund is expected to be sourced from the state budget (APBN) through a national pooling fund mechanism or other legitimate sources, such as foreign loans.
“This emergency fund is crucial so that we can act immediately without waiting for the regular APBN process,” he said.
He explained that the fund would support cross-regional and international operations, including the evacuation of Indonesian citizens abroad.
The increasing frequency of disasters and transportation accidents has prompted Basarnas to push for a rapid funding system to save lives.
In addition, budget blocking policies for efficiency have posed challenges for Basarnas, which currently operates 45 SAR offices, 77 SAR posts, and 70 standby units across Indonesia in carrying out its duties and functions.
He noted that the agency’s initial 2025 budget allocation of Rp1.49 trillion was temporarily blocked by Rp409.14 billion before receiving two rounds of budget relaxation.
“With an emergency fund, we can immediately deploy personnel and equipment in the field without lengthy bureaucracy,” he said.
Syafii called for legislative support to ensure the proposal can be realized promptly, strengthening the national emergency response system.
Basarnas is targeting 2026 as a year to strengthen its rescue technology systems, supported by a budget of Rp1.55 trillion or around US$92.8 million.
“Technology will be the backbone of faster and more coordinated rescue operations,” he said.
For the 2026 fiscal year, Basarnas has allocated Rp436.57 billion for the maintenance of land, sea, and air SAR facilities, and Rp63.07 billion specifically for SAR communication systems.
The investment reflects the agency’s commitment to improving operational readiness, coordination, and effectiveness in responding to disasters and emergencies across Indonesia.
Related news: Indonesia's Basarnas struggles to maintain fleet amid budget limits
Related news: 5,000 people participate in SAR potential training
Related news: Indonesia confirms 67 fatalities in Sidoarjo building collapse
Translator: Prasetyo, Kenzu
Editor: Azis Kurmala
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
