During a meeting with Commission V of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) on Tuesday, the head of Basarnas, Mohammad Syafii, informed that his agency has conducted joint exercises with Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, India, and Norway in 2025.
This joint training involved 388 participants in 10 regions, along with advanced training for 179 employees and the INASAR (Indonesia Search and Rescue) team.
"International cooperation is important for us to expand operational networks and shorten response times during humanitarian missions," Syafii explained.
In addition, his party also established technical collaboration with international institutions such as the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
Moreover, Basarnas is improving the interoperability of communication systems and SAR procedures in accordance with International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) standards.
Syafii considered joint exercises and expertise exchanges as an important part of Indonesia's humanitarian diplomacy in the Indo-Pacific region.
"We want to demonstrate our readiness in becoming a regional hub for search and rescue operations," he emphasized.
Syafii also ensures Basarnas' initiative to ensure the continuation of cross-border cooperation as global disaster risks and human mobility increase.
Furthermore, his office proposed the establishment of a national search and rescue emergency fund that could be used within 24 hours of a major disaster or accident.
He suggested the fund come from the state budget, through a national pooling fund mechanism or other legitimate assistance, such as foreign loans.
Syafii explained that the fund would support cross-regional and international operations, including the evacuation of Indonesian citizens abroad.
"With emergency funds, we can immediately deploy personnel and equipment to the disaster site without waiting for lengthy bureaucracy," he emphasized.
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Translator: Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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