Basarnas ran special SAR readiness for 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo

Labuan Bajo — Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency deployed a special search-and-rescue operation to support the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo in May 2023, sending assets under its Maumere office to the summit venue in West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara.

The 42nd ASEAN Summit and related meetings were held in Labuan Bajo from 9–11 May 2023, with Indonesia acting as ASEAN Chair and host for visiting leaders from Southeast Asia. Basarnas recorded a dedicated readiness operation for the summit, noting support activities in Labuan Bajo between 5 and 11 May 2023 under its Deputy for Operations and Preparedness.

According to Basarnas’ 2023 performance report for operations and preparedness, the agency’s special readiness programme for the summit in Labuan Bajo ran from 5–12 May 2023. A document submitted to the Indonesian House of Representatives similarly lists “Siaga SAR Khusus KTT ASEAN ke-42 di Labuan Bajo” from 5 to 12 May 2023 among Basarnas’ special operations. These records indicate that personnel and assets were placed on heightened alert in and around Labuan Bajo for the duration of the summit and its associated activities.

Assets and route

Basarnas Maumere is responsible for search-and-rescue coverage across parts of Flores and nearby islands, and its 2021 performance report lists several maritime assets based in the region. The report identifies KN SAR Puntadewa 250 and Rescue Boat 212 Maumere as Maumere-based vessels normally berthed at Wuring Port in Sikka Regency. It also notes that KN SAR 101 Purworejo operates from Manggarai Barat, providing additional maritime rescue capacity in waters near Labuan Bajo.

While the summit-era documents do not specify individual ship movements, the combination of Basarnas’ special readiness listing for Labuan Bajo in May 2023 and the Maumere office’s fleet composition shows that KN SAR Puntadewa 250 and RB 212 Maumere were among the primary assets available for deployment from Wuring to Labuan Bajo during the summit period. These vessels are designed for rapid response in marine emergencies, with KN SAR Puntadewa 250 described as a Class-2 rescue ship equipped with advanced technology.

Operational scope

Basarnas’ national reporting on its 2023 activities describes the Labuan Bajo summit operation as a “Siaga SAR Khusus” — a special standby arrangement rather than a permanent expansion of infrastructure. The Deputy for Operations and Preparedness notes support for the 42nd ASEAN Summit between 5 and 11 May as part of a wider portfolio of special operations, including major sporting events and holiday traffic.

The available documents confirm the dates and location of the summit, Basarnas’ role in providing special SAR readiness, and the regional assets positioned to support operations in Labuan Bajo. They do not give a detailed patrol radius, name specific maritime sectors, or list the full number of personnel assigned to the summit mission.

Wider SAR responsibilities

Basarnas Maumere’s performance reporting shows that its responsibilities extend across Sikka and other parts of Flores, as well as Lembata and Alor, supported by posts in Labuan Bajo, Alor and Ende. The combination of a permanent post in Manggarai Barat and special readiness operations for the ASEAN summit illustrates how Maumere’s assets are used to reinforce local rescue capacity during major international events in Labuan Bajo.

There is no evidence in the reviewed materials of a separate Basarnas readiness deployment in Labuan Bajo tied to 18 September 2026. The confirmed operation relates to the 42nd ASEAN Summit held in May 2023.

Sources

• ASEAN official page on the 42nd ASEAN Summit and related meetings
• Indonesian National Secretariat for ASEAN (Setnas ASEAN) – Results of the 2023 ASEAN Summit
• ASEAN 2023 Indonesian chairmanship site – Labuan Bajo Successfully Hosts 42nd ASEAN Summit
• Cabinet Secretariat of the Republic of Indonesia – ASEAN Leaders Arrive in Labuan Bajo for 42nd ASEAN Summit
• Basarnas 2023 performance report – Deputy for Operations and Preparedness
• Indonesian House of Representatives document summarising Basarnas activities
• Tirto article on schedule and agenda of the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo