Kill 24 People, Ombudsman Immediately Complete Investigation Of Malaadministration Of Marapi

The appearance of one of the rivers that originates in Mount Marapi, West Sumatra, has changed the color of the water to dark blackish. (Doc. Antara/Altas Maulana)

PADANG - An investigative report related to alleged maladministration of the permit to climb Mount Marapi which killed 24 people was immediately completed by the Indonesian Ombudsman Representative of West Sumatra Province.

"The West Sumatra Ombudsman has reached the stage of making investigative reports," said Head of the Indonesian Ombudsman Representative for West Sumatra Yefri Heriani in Padang, reported by ANTARA, Saturday, January 6.

He said the investigative report included initial data collection such as what form of alleged maladministration of climbing permits issued by the Natural Resources Conservation Center (BKSDA) of West Sumatra Province.

From the initial investigative report, the Ombudsman said that Gunung Marapi, which is administratively located in Agam Regency and Tanah Datar Regency, has been on alert status or level two since 2011.

This means that since the alert status was issued, climbers are not allowed to climb the top of the mountain or be within a radius of three kilometers from the summit/region.

However, in fact, when the eruption occurred on Sunday, December 3, 2023, generally the victims were trapped around the crater of the mountain.

"Since the status of level two is determined, we should have made efforts, especially the BKSDA, to determine where climbers can be or are allowed," he said.

In addition, the management or those who issue climbing permits must also prepare risk mitigation steps that climbers must take in the event of an eruption.

Since Mount Marapi erupted, the West Sumatra Ombudsman has not carried out direct examinations of related parties. However, this incident became the institution's serious attention in 2024.

Reflecting on the eruption of the phreatic type of volcano, many things should be a lesson for stakeholders. Not only licensing problems but also efforts to minimize losses due to natural disasters.

"What is certain is that 24 people died. Then there was another loss to farmers around the mountain who were affected by volcanic ash," he said.

In other words, the local government and the West Sumatra Province BKSDA are not optimal in dealing with the status of level II of Mount Marapi. Local governments should be better prepared to respond to warnings issued by the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG).