Indonesia: Forged in fire, resilient in spirit - Ambassador Hermono

KUALA LUMPUR - Indonesia, straddling the volatile Ring of Fire, is no stranger to natural disasters.

According to the Indonesian Ambassador to Malaysia Datuk Hermono, earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions have shaped the archipelago, carving not just its landscape but also the spirit of its people.

"Our geography has made us intimately familiar with nature's wrath.

"But it has also fostered an extraordinary resilience within us.

"This resilience, honed through countless challenges, is evident in the communities across Indonesia," he told Sinar during an interview recently.

From Java to Aceh to Yogyakarta, he added that Indonesians have cultivated a deep understanding of disaster preparedness and practical skills honed through experience.

Drawing parallels between the resilience of Indonesians and Malaysians, particularly those in Kelantan and Terengganu who frequently face flooding, Hermono suggested that the steadfastness shown by Indonesians in the face of natural disasters resonates with the experiences of these Malaysian communities.

"Just as the people of Kelantan and Terengganu have shown resilience in the face of flooding, so too have Indonesians demonstrated unwavering strength in overcoming the challenges posed by our geographical vulnerability," he added.

This vulnerability is undeniable. With 17,000 islands scattered across the Indian Ocean, Indonesia is often called a "supermarket of natural disasters."

Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods, landslides – the list goes on.

In 2021 alone, nearly 3,000 disasters displaced over eight million people.