Indonesia’s economic security requires ecological resilience

In November 2025, Cyclone Senyar hit Indonesia, resulting in an estimated 1201 deaths and Rp 68.7 trillion (US$4.1 billion) in economic losses. While tropical cyclones are rare in Indonesia, warming oceans are making such disasters an increasingly serious threat.

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Cyclone Senyar exposed the government’s failure to translate evidence into action. Though the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency issued a cyclone warning 8 days before the cyclone hit, it did not lead to adequate preparedness or disaster mitigation policies.

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Even after the cyclone, disaster management has not been prioritised. The National Agency for Disaster Management’s budget was cut from US$118.7 million in 2025 to US$29.1 million in 2026. This failure to prioritise disaster preparedness is compounded by limited public attention to early warnings, reducing political pressure for action. The disconnect between scientific evidence and political decision-making undermines effective and timely responses to disasters.

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Cyclone Senyar should serve as a turning point. Indonesia must prioritise mitigation over short-term populist measures and ensure that economic objectives reinforce rather than weaken environmental safeguards.