TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Wiranto said the government is currently considering to declare Lombok earthquake, West Nusa Tenggara as the national disaster.

“The discussion is still afoot by concerning its advantages and disadvantages,” said Wiranto at State Palace, Jakarta, Tuesday, August 21.

Wiranto explained there were many requirements to escalate a status and level of a disaster to national disasters, such as the casualty, disaster, and inability of the regional government in handling it.

He mentioned the tsunami in Aceh back in 2004. The disaster was declared as national disaster considering it immobilized the local administration. Most of the buildings were wrecked and regional officials listed as the victim.

Meanwhile, he added, Lombok earthquake only temporarily knocked out the regional administration. “After then the local government joins the disaster management and that we assist and support them, until now,” Wiranto asserted.

Wiranto was aware many parties urged the central government to lift up the disaster status of Lombok earthquake. However, he demanded all parties to maintain peace and avoid such polemic because the government was still distributing aids and that acknowledged by local administration.

FRISKI RIANA