TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto said the evacuation of 74 Indonesian crew members of the Diamond Princess cruise ship has yet been decided as the Indonesian government is in negotiation with Japanese authorities.

The Indonesian crews, together with hundreds of passengers, have been quarantined onboard the cruise ship since early February after the novel coronavirus had spread among several passengers on the Diamond Princess.

A man wearing a mask stands guard at the port next to the cruise ship Diamond Princess at Daikoku Pier Cruise Terminal in Yokohama, south of Tokyo, Japan February 12, 2020. The epidemic originated in mainland China, where more than 1,100 people have now died from the virus. About 3,700 people are on board the ship, which usually has a crew of 1,100 and a passenger capacity of 2,670. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-hoon

“We are negotiating with the Japanese government [to accept the option of] either be dictated or would they be willing to negotiate,” said Minister Terawan following his meeting with President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo at the State Palace in Jakarta on Monday, February 24.

According to Terawan, the Japanese government has asked Indonesia to evacuate its citizens via air transport. “That was what they demanded, but we are still negotiating,” said the Minister.

Terawan did not provide a straight answer as he was asked by journalists whether the Indonesian government is negotiating for an evacuation using sea transport. “What’s important is that we are negotiating for the best solution,” said the minister.

He asserts that the government prioritizes the wellbeing of the 260 million Indonesians and will avert from making rash decisions regarding the Diamond Princess evacuation.

DEWI NURITA