Integration of the TNI, POLRI and Regional Government in Handling Natural Disasters in Central Sulawesi as an Effort to Maintain State Sovereignty

Abstract

This study examines the integration between the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the Indonesian National Police (POLRI), and local governments in disaster management in Central Sulawesi following the earthquake, tsunami, and liquefaction on 28 September 2018. Given Indonesia’s high vulnerability as a country located along the Ring of Fire, this research positions inter-agency synergy as a key prerequisite for effective disaster management and the strengthening of national resilience. Employing a qualitative descriptive approach, the study relies on government regulations, official reports from BNPB/BPBD, TNI–POLRI documents, and relevant scholarly literature. The findings indicate that integration among TNI, POLRI, and local governments is clearly manifested in three main disaster phases: preparedness, emergency response, and rehabilitation reconstruction through joint contingency planning, unified command posts, troop mobilization, security operations, and restoration of basic services. Supporting factors include a clear legal framework, unified command structures, professional human resources, and institutional experience in previous disaster operations. Inhibiting factors comprise limited logistics, communication disruptions, differing organizational cultures, uneven BPBD capacity, and insufficient disaster mitigation budgets. Strategically, this integration contributes to state sovereignty by maintaining security and public order, enhancing public trust in the state, protecting the population, and ensuring the continuity of governmental functions during crises. The study concludes that disaster management constitutes an integral component of non-military defense and plays a crucial role in reinforcing Indonesia’s national resilience.