Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian House of DPR RI, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad.

progresifjaya.co.id, JAKARTA – House of Representatives (DPR RI) leadership member Sufmi Dasco Ahmad emphasized that the safety of residents must be the government’s priority in responding to the earthquake in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

Sufmi Dasco also urged residents in NTT affected by the 7,7-magnitude earthquake to follow directives issued by the government through the BMKG (Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency), BNPB (National Agency for Disaster Countermeasure), and local governments.

“Resident safety is the top priority. Communities in affected areas are urged to remain vigilant and follow official information from the BMKG, BNPB, and local governments,” said Sufmi Dasco in a statement in Jakarta on Saturday, August 15, 2026.

He also assured, that DPR RI leadership would immediately coordinate with the House’s internal bodies—specifically the relevant legislative commissions and lawmakers representing NTT electoral districts—to mobilize assistance and address the needs of those affected by the natural disaster.

“As a DPR RI leader, i will push for coordination with relevant commissions and House members from the affected regions so that community needs—ranging from evacuation, healthcare services, and logistics to facility restoration—can be addressed immediately,” Sufmi Dasco asserted.

Finally, the Executive Chairman of the Gerindra Party expressed his deepest condolences to the victims, including residents of NTT and surrounding areas affected by the earthquake. He prayed that the affected residents would be granted strength and safety.

“I convey my condolences and concern regarding the earthquake that struck East Nusa Tenggara. May all affected communities be granted strength and safety,” he added.

Earlier, Teguh Rahayu—the BMKG Director of Engineering Seismology, Potential Geophysics, and Time Signals—presented preliminary monitoring results from the Kupang Geophysics Station and coordination with the local BPBD (Regional Disaster Management Agency) regarding the earthquake’s intensity. The findings indicated that the shaking caused parts of the walls of simple houses to collapse in the Maumere, West Manggarai, and Labuan Bajo areas. In addition, the earthquake damaged facilities at Maumere Port and the Jayakarta Bajo Hotel building. (Bembo)