Jokowi Departs to Banten to Check Handling of Tsunami Disaster
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24 December 2018 13:03 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo or Jokowi, this morning, Monday, December 24, departed to Banten Province to review the handling of post-tsunami disaster that hit the coast around the Sunda Strait, especially in Pandeglang Regency, South Lampung and Serang.
From the Atang Sendjaja Air Force Base, Bogor, West Java, Jokowi and his entourage flew to Pandeglang Regency, Banten Province, using the Indonesian Air Force EC725 Caracal Helicopter, at 9 am.
“After arriving in Pandeglang Regency, President Joko Widodo immediately visited several locations affected by the tsunami,” said Deputy Secretary of Protocol, Press and Media of the Presidential Secretariat Bey Machmudin in his press statement.
The President will also visit a number of community health centers and hospitals in Pandeglang that are the place for tsunami victims to be treated.
Bey said Jokowi wanted to ensure the handling of the impact of the tsunami disaster could be resolved quickly and well. “Especially the evacuation of victims and the existence of health service assistance,” he said.
Read also: BNPB: Sunda Strait Tsunami Death Toll Increases to 281 People
Previously, while still in Luwuk Sub-district, Banggai Regency, Central Sulawesi, Jokowi had instructed the Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Basuki Hadimuljono, Social Affairs Minister Agus Gumiwang, TNI (Indonesian military) Commander Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto, and Head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Willem Rampangilei and the related staff to immediately conduct evacuation and data collection in the field.
“I have also ordered to carry out emergency measures, namely to find the victims and to carry out treatment as soon as possible,” Jokowi said on Sunday, December 23.
The tsunami hit the coast around the Sunda Strait, on Friday night, around 9:30 pm. The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) said the tsunami occurred due to the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau that coincided with the tidal wave at full moon.
Based on the report of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) per today until 7:00, there were 281 people died, 1,016 people were injured, 57 people were still missing, and 11,687 people evacuated.
AHMAD FAIZ IBNU SANI