'We Can't Forget 2021': Indonesia's West Sulawesi Prepares For The Next Big Quake
By Mohd Iswandi Kasan Anuar
JAKARTA, June 17 (Bernama) -- The devastation of January 16, 2021, still lingers in West Sulawesi, when a 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck before dawn, killing 105 people, injuring thousands, and causing widespread destruction across the province.
Four years later, local officials, emergency responders and community members returned to the epicentre on Monday not to mourn the tragedy of the past, but to prepare for the possibility of it happening again.
bootstrap slideshow
In a large-scale simulation, the province tested its emergency response to a modelled 7.5-magnitude earthquake striking the coastal districts of Majene and Mamuju, with a scenario projecting over 1,000 fatalities and 200,000 displaced residents.
Coordinated by Indonesia's National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), the exercise brought together government officials, military and police units, humanitarian organisations, and local communities in a test of speed, coordination and resilience.
BNPB senior trainer Apriyuanda G. Bayu Pradana stated that the activities, which included a tabletop exercise and a command post simulation, were designed to strengthen coordination between agencies within the emergency command system.
'Ultimately, we aim to generate recommendations to improve policy and emergency planning,' he said in a statement.
West Sulawesi lies along the seismically active Mamuju thrust fault and remains at high risk of major earthquakes and tsunamis.
Acting provincial secretary Herdin Ismail said the drill reflected the joint commitment of BNPB and the provincial government to cultivate a culture of disaster awareness and strengthen local preparedness as the frontline in disaster management.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
10,049 candidates to repeat SPM exams from July 15-17
PUTRAJAYA: A total of 10,049 candidates will sit for this year's Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia Repeat Examination (SPMU) from July 15-17 at 186 examination centres nationwide. The Education Ministry said in a statement on Saturday (July 12) that the examination involved three subjects, namely Bahasa Melayu, History and Mathematics. It added that a total of 1,454 examiners have been appointed for the Bahasa Melayu Written and Listening tests, while 1,202 people will be on duty for the Bahasa Melayu Oral Test. The ministry reminded all candidates to refer to the examination timetable that can be downloaded from the Malaysian Examination Syndicate's official portal at for information such as the date, time, code and examination paper, as well as instructions that must be followed during the examination. "Candidates are also reminded to bring along identification documents and the Examination Registration Statement to the examination centre,' it added. The Examination Registration Statement can be downloaded from the Online Examination Management System at "Candidates must comply with the standard operating procedures and regulations set to ensure the smooth running of the examination,' it said.- Bernama
New Straits Times
3 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Malaysian ferry tragedy victim buried in East Java
JAKARTA: The remains of Fauzey Awang, a Malaysian who died in the Tunu Pratama Jaya ferry tragedy last week, were laid to rest in East Java on Friday night, in accordance with his final wish. The deceased was buried far away from his native Terengganu, but close to his wife he visited every three months. Fauzey, 55, was among the passengers on board the ill-fated ferry, which was carrying 65 people and 22 vehicles when it sank near the Bali Strait on the night of July 2, nearly half an hour after departing Ketapang Port in Banyuwangi, East Java, for Bali. He had been travelling in a tour van aboard the ferry, on his way to catch a flight from Bali. His remains were later found off Perancak Beach near Jembrana, Bali, on Thursday morning. Indonesian authorities identified him based on his clothing and personal effects before transferring the remains to Blambangan Hospital in Banyuwangi, East Java, for forensic examination. Banyuwangi police chief Commissioner Rama Samtama Putra said the body was handed over to the family following coordination between Indonesia's Foreign Ministry and the Malaysian Embassy, and the submission of a formal consent letter from Fauzey's next of kin for his burial. "The family, who had travelled from Malaysia, met the victim's wife here and agreed on a local burial," Rama said in a statement. Before the tragedy, Fauzey sent a message to his daughter, Syifa Amerah Fauzey, from his first marriage, expressing his wish to be buried in Banyuwangi next to his teacher's grave. His remains were buried at the village cemetery in Dusun Lidah, Gambiran, Banyuwangi. "He worked in Malaysia but came home every three months to be with his wife," said Sumarni, a local relative, as reported by TribunNews. As of Friday, 47 people have been accounted for, with 30 survivors and 17 confirmed dead. Others, including passengers not listed on the manifest, remain missing as search operations continue. — BERNAMA
The Star
8 hours ago
- The Star
Two Melaka neighbourhoods picked for climate-risk action plan
TWO neighbourhoods under the Melaka Historic City Council (MBMB), namely Kampung Morten and Pantai Peringgit, have been selected for a community action plan. The plan aims to enhance resilience to climate risks, such as heatwaves, floods and address the lack of safe public spaces. Deputy state science, technology, innovation and digital communications committee chairman Datuk Mohd Noor Helmy Abdul Halem said the plan was the result of collaborative research and engagement efforts, including discussions, workshops, risk assessments and participation from various levels of the community since 2023. 'Among the initial high-impact projects under this plan is the repainting of the Pantai Peringgit apartment building using heat-reflective paint technology, which can help reduce indoor temperatures, create a more comfortable living environment and save energy. 'In addition, the installation of environmental heat sensors is also planned, to allow real-time temperature monitoring and to support rapid response efforts by both the authorities and local community,' he told Bernama. Earlier, he launched the plan under the Urban Climate Resilience Programme (UCRP) for Community, which was attended by Melaka mayor Datuk Shahdan Othman. Mohd Noor Helmy said that the plan was developed through collaboration between MBMB, Resilient Cities Network, Z Zurich Foundation and Zurich Malaysia under the UCRP. He said the plan also focused on community education initiatives, including disaster preparedness training, climate change-themed murals and proposals for the development of 'pocket parks' – small green spaces in urban areas designed to enhance the local social and ecological environment. 'This approach allows us to identify not only the challenges faced by residents, but also their aspirations and the most suitable solutions. 'It also serves as a guideline and marks the beginning of a broader ongoing effort.'
