Denpasar, Bali (ANTARA) – Bali Island is a testing ground for Indonesia’s military to assess earthquake and tsunami readiness through a disaster exercise.
The 2026 Operational Readiness Exercise tests personnel and inter-agency coordination through simulated disasters. On Saturday (August 8), the sixth day, Udayana Military Command’s task force held a field exercise at Merta Sari Beach in Denpasar.
The exercise assesses readiness to respond during emergencies. Tests cover procedures, command and control, interoperability and military-civilian coordination.
Lt. Gen. Muzafar, commander of Joint Regional Defense Command II, said Indonesia faces high risks from earthquakes and tsunamis.
“This Operational Readiness Exercise tests procedures, command and control, interoperability, and inter-agency synergy in a large-scale disaster scenario,” Muzafar said.
The exercise ensures all elements share a common understanding and respond quickly and in coordination.
Related news: Govt encourages yacht tourism to strengthen Indonesia’s marine tourism
Bali was selected because its geography exposes it to earthquake and tsunami threats linked to tectonic activity. In addition to that, Bali is an international tourism destination with high resident and tourist mobility.
That makes preparedness more complex, requiring protection for communities while managing tourists and tourism activities, Muzafar said.
The exercise involves Army, Navy and Air Force units working with disaster agencies, police, local governments and health authorities. The inter-agency synergy was a key test because disaster management requires clear duties, he added.
“More importantly, we want to strengthen synergy among the military, ministries, local governments, police, and all elements of society,” he said.
Related news: Bali Customs foils 10.1 kg marijuana smuggling attempt
Translator: Rolandus N, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Fransiska Ninditya
Copyright © ANTARA 2026