BMKG Criticized for Failing to Detect Sunda Strait Tsunami

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Lecturer of Yogyakarta’s Gadjah Mada University (UGM) engineering faculty, Bagas Pujilaksono Widyakanigara, issued an open letter to President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo which demanded the president to conduct a complete restructure within the BMKG.

Bagas argues that the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) had performed numerous mistakes in analyzing natural disasters. He also stated that the agency’s leader is always quick to place blame on the lack of any early warning detection equipment.

He considers that BMKG tends to pass on responsibilities to another agency and defends that volcanic activities are not within its realm of responsibility.

“I am criticizing objectively, Insha Allah it is scientifically based and that there is no personal issue,” said Bagas when Tempo reached him on Thursday, December 27.

In the open letter that is widely spread across social media platforms, Bagas began his statement by mentioning the recent Sunda Strait tsunami and the fact that it has claimed many innocent lives.

The aerial image of location hit by the Sunda Strait tsunami at Tanjung Lesung Beach, Teluk Lada Beach, Panimbang Beach, and Carita Beach in Pandeglang, Banten, Sunday, December 23, 2018. The area of Anyer Beach and Lampung also affected by the natural disaster. TEMPO/Syafiul Hadi

The UGM lecturer maintained that his letter is not to point fingers but rather to highlight the fact that BMKG failed to provide Indonesian citizens with a proper early warning system. Bagas argues that many lives would have been spared if BMKG had simply done its job.

“This is the second failure by BMKG after the tsunami that struck Palu,” said Bagas in the open letter.

Another element mentioned by Bagas is aimed at the agency’s leader that he deems has created a blunder by not being well-versed, inconsistent, and full of hesitation, following the Sunda Strait tsunami. He added that the BMKG shows their incompetence upon doing their job prior to the tragedy.

Bagas also argues that BMKG is always late in analyzing a natural disaster. The agency said that the Sunda Strait tsunami was initially caused by a landslide at the ocean floor, which contradicted eyewitness testimonies who strongly suggest Mount Anak Krakatau’s caldera break up.

MUH SYAIFULLAH (CONTRIBUTOR)