Jokowi Visits Garut, Gives Instructions to State Officials

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo visited Garut, West Java, to examine the latest condition of the region following the recent massive landslide and flash flood. After conducting a thorough examination Jokowi instructed Police Chief Gen. Tito Karnavian to take firm action.

"I have instructed the National Police Chief to take firm action against the people who destroy the environment and caused the flash flood," Jokowi said on Thursday, September 29, 2016.

The disaster that occurred in Garut on Wednesday last week affected dozens of local residents with 19 of them still missing and some are said to be still under the mud.

Previously, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) had released a statement on the main cause of the disaster. In the statement, BNPB said that the flash flood was caused by damaged river basin areas (DAS) on the upstream of the Cimanuk River. River basin area, which should not have been damaged had been used for other purposes such as land farming and mining.

In addition to ordering the Police to apprehend individuals responsible for the environmental destruction, President Jokowi also ordered the Forestry and Environmental Ministry to start conserving the land and apply better spatial planning Cimanuk River river basin areas.

Meanwhile, Jokowi also instructed the Public Works and Housing Ministry to provide replacement houses for the disaster victims.

"The Regent of Garut said that the people have agreed to stay in a flat. It will be built as soon as possible," Jokowi said.

ISTMAN MP