TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said the government is striving to suppress the losses caused by natural disasters such as floods.

“If we construct [something] and then it is damaged because of natural disaster that can be predicted, that means the losses can be avoided,” said Minister Sri at Indonesia Stock Exchange, Thursday, January 2

Thus, according to Sri, one of the government’s homework is to avert the risk from various facilities, either residential complex, public facilities, or infrastructures. The minister underlined the importance of abilities to anticipate the pattern change of natural disasters or climate that caused a huge impact on the public.

The former World Bank managing director said natural disasters including floods caused enormous losses, both material and non-material losses such as lives. “This is such a lesson,” she said.

Sri Mulyani went on to say that her ministry was continuously monitoring the logistic needs of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) to handle the disaster. She also monitored the Ministry of Social Affairs that supported the handling.

President Joko Widodo or Jokowi previously reminded that the most important thing when flooding occurred was the evacuation of victims, as well as the safety and security of the people. "We will work on the infrastructure later after the evacuation is complete," he said.

CAESAR AKBAR