Buildings In Maluku Must Be Earthquake Resistant And The Rules Must Be Included In IMB

One shopping center in Maluku (Photo by The Ian on Unsplash)

JAKARTA - Geologist from Pattimura University Ambon Dr. Robert Hutagalung said that Maluku Province needs a regional regulation (perda) regarding the construction of earthquake-resistant buildings.

Dr. Robert Hutagalung conveyed that Maluku Province has the potential to experience an earthquake. Therefore, the regional government needs to ensure that the buildings built in the Maluku region are earthquake resistant.

According to him, provisions regarding the construction of earthquake-resistant buildings can be stipulated in regional regulations regarding building permits (IMB).

"An earthquake will definitely occur, but we don't know when. However, we can minimize or even prevent losses and casualties by making a Perda on IMB," he said.

Regional governments, he continued, can stipulate provisions regarding earthquake-resistant building specifications and standards as well as areas that are safe for constructing buildings in the Perda IMB.

He said that regulations regarding building construction have been implemented, among others, in the Province of Bali.

Robert stated that the enactment of regulations regarding the construction of buildings is important for mitigating earthquake disasters.

According to him, the enactment of regional regulations regarding building standards can minimize the number of victims and losses caused by earthquakes.

By ensuring that the buildings built in their area are earthquake-resistant, local governments can also save money on the rehabilitation and reconstruction of buildings in the event of a destructive earthquake.

The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency for Geophysics Station Class 1 Ambon during the period January 27 to February 2 2023 recorded 53 earthquakes in Maluku, mostly shallow earthquakes (<60 km) with magnitudes less than 5.