Ratna Sarumpaet, Luhut Quarrel about KM Sinar Bangun Evacuation
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Kamis, 1 Januari 1970 07:00 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Activist Ratna Sarumpaet made a fuss during the dialogue between the Minister of Maritime Coordinator Luhut Binsar Panjaitan with the Combined SAR (Search and Rescue) Team and the families of the victims of the sinking of KM Sinar Bangun in Lake Toba. The fuss occurred in a meeting held yesterday, Monday, July 2.
The dialogue took place during the process of sowing flowers to commemorate the victims of the sinking of KM Sinar Bangun. The fuss happened because Ratna did not accept the evacuation process of the victims and the shipwreck on Monday, June 18, to be stopped.
"This is a national problem, and all the corpses will be removed to stop the evacuation process," said Ratna, who is the representative of the family in Tigaras Port, Simalungun.
Ratna considered the incident in Lake Toba is a national problem. So the evacuation process that runs more than two weeks should not be stopped before all victims are found.
But Ratna’s statement directly received a rebuttal from the families of victims who were also in the location.
"I understand more about Lake Toba, the goverment is not all to be blamed, the people is to be blamed too," said the woman who also claimed to be the victim's family.
Hearing that answer, Ratna instantly rebuked the woman. She accused if the victim's family was paid. It was immediately disputed the victim's family.
"No, I did not get paid," the woman said.
Ratna then demanded that she wanted to meet Luhut. Hearing the request by Ratna, Luhut immediately react in the spot.
"You can speak (bad) things to other people, but not to me," said Luhut.
Luhut said Ratna is not a priority for him to meet. He asserted if she wants to talk directly with the families of the victims of the sinking of KM Sinar Bangun, not with family representatives.
Lucky the hot atmosphere can be prevented by Simalungun Police AKBP Liberty Panjaitan. Liberty immediately asked Ratna for the family from the tent of Basarnas and left the port location.
As for Ratna Sarumpaet, until this news is revealed, she could not be asked for confirmation. Short messages and calls by Tempo have not answered yet by Ratna.
LIL ASKAR MONZA