Jakarta, Nov. 11 -- The National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) has proposed the establishment of a national emergency fund for search and rescue (SAR) operations that can be accessed within 24 hours following a major disaster or accident.

Basarnas Chief Mohammad Syafii, during a hearing at the House of Representatives (DPR) here on Tuesday, said the fund is expected to be sourced from the state budget (APBN) through a national pooling fund mechanism or other legitimate sources, such as foreign loans.

"This emergency fund is crucial so that we can act immediately without waiting for the regular APBN process," he said.

He explained that the fund would support cross-regional and international operations, including the evacuation of ...