TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Following two consecutive accidents involving foreign hikers on Mount Rinjani's Pelawangan route towards Lake Segara Anak, Coordinating Minister of Politics and Security Affairs Budi Gunawan has called for a comprehensive evaluation and improvement of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) at Rinjani National Park.

Budi announced this decision after a meeting with key stakeholders, including Basarnas (the National Search and Rescue Agency), the Rinjani National Park Office, the Indonesian Military, the National Police, the West Nusa Tenggara Provincial Government, and the Tourism Office. The ministry's public relations shared this information in a written statement on Friday, July 18, 2025.

The meeting concluded with four key resolutions. Firstly, all trekking routes on the volcano are to be completely closed to the public until further notice. Secondly, during this closure period, there will be improvements to climbing SOPs and emergency evacuation protocols, aiming for heightened responsiveness and efficacy in challenging conditions.

Thirdly, security facilities and emergency infrastructure along the trekking routes will undergo upgrades. Fourthly, prior to the reopening of the routes, their suitability will be rigorously verified by Basarnas, the Indonesian Military, the National Police, and the Indonesian Mountaineering Team.

"The reopening will only take place after all parties declare the route safe and suitable for use," said Budi Gunawan. The retired police general underscored that the paramount concern is the safety of trekkers.

The routes will only be reopened once all safety benchmarks have been met through inter-agency coordination. For additional information, the public is advised to contact the Rinjani National Park Office or the local Basarnas post.

The Rinjani National Park Office (BTNGR) ceased the sale of climbing permits through the e-Rinjani application on July 16, 2025. The BTNGR head Yarman clarified that this closure was aimed at improving the challenging route.

"We have seen many cases on the Pelawangan route towards the lake," Yarman explained on Thursday, July 17, 2025.

However, he stopped short of detailing the intended route improvements, clarifying that trekkers who had already secured permits are still permitted to ascend to the summit but are prohibited from descending to the lake.

"We are only closing new climbing quotas and closing the Pelawangan route to the lake," Yarman said.

Over the past two days, two foreign trekkers experienced accidents on the Pelawangan route en route to Lake Segara Anak.

Benekdikt Emmeneger, a Swiss tourist, sustained a fractured leg and arm after a fall on Wednesday. The following day, Sarah Tamar van Hulten, a Dutch tourist, also fell in a proximate location. Both individuals were airlifted to Bali by helicopter for medical attention.

Previously, Mount Rinjani National Park garnered international attention due to a fatal accident involving Juliana Marins. The Brazilian hiker tragically died after falling into a ravine while ascending to the summit via the Sembalun route.

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