When Mount Kelud began erupting, Surono, who had just retired, was recalled for active duty at the Energy and Mineral Resurces Ministry. It was President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono himself who announced that he would head the ministry's geological division. This is a higher position than the post he held previously, which was head of the vulcanology and disaster mitigation center.

The government seems to find it hard to let go of Mbah (grandfather)