JAKARTA, thekabarnews.com—President Prabowo Subianto has instructed his administration to plan a significant increase in Indonesia’s disaster mitigation budget. He cited the country’s exposure to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and other recurring hazards.

Prabowo issued the directive while leading a limited Cabinet meeting by video conference from the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Monday, September 7.

The meeting reviewed the response to several emergencies, including an earthquake in Flores, Anak Krakatau’s eruptions, and forest and land fires. These fires continued to produce haze.

“We must significantly increase the budget allocation for disaster mitigation,” Prabowo said, according to the official presidential.

The president said Indonesia’s location within the Pacific Ring of Fire required the government to maintain permanent readiness. Rather than rely mainly on emergency responses after disasters occur, the government should be prepared.

Official Geological Agency data show that Indonesia has 127 active volcanoes. The agency classifies them into 77 Type A, 29 Type B and 21 Type C volcanoes. This highlights the scale of the country’s geological exposure.

It also uses observation posts and the MAGMA Indonesia platform to monitor volcanic hazards. It uses these tools to provide public information, according to the Geological Agency.

Prabowo directed State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi to coordinate with Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa. He also directed Prasetyo Hadi to coordinate with National Development Planning Minister Rachmat Pambudy.

The officials must incorporate stronger disaster preparedness into government planning.

He asked the administration to increase the availability of firefighting helicopters and water pumps.

The government should also provide more fire engines. It should place compact excavators in villages that regularly face forest and land fires (karhutla).

“It is better to have more than to have too little,” Prabowo said, outlining the principle that should guide equipment and logistics planning.

The president also called for a comprehensive master plan for national disaster mitigation.

The plan would aim to position personnel and equipment before an emergency. Authorities could respond more quickly and prevent fires or other hazards from expanding.

The government has not announced the value of the proposed budget increase, its funding source or when the additional allocation would take effect.

President Prabowo’s instruction establishes a policy direction, but it does not by itself revise an enacted state budget.

Indonesia’s disaster burden supports the case for stronger preparedness. BNPB recorded 267 disasters in January 2026 alone, with hydrometeorological events accounting for 99.25 percent of them.

Those disasters affected or displaced more than 1.46 million people, according to the agency’s January 2026 disaster bulletin.

Prabowo said the government must prepare resources well before hazards turn into emergencies.

The proposed budget increase will now depend on detailed planning, fiscal review and its incorporation into the formal state budget process.