National

President: Carry Out Emergency Measures Immediately
Wednesday, 30 March, 2005 | 20:57 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has ordered regents, governors, and ministers to carry out emergency measures to handle the earthquake on Nias Island, and in North Sumatra and in Simeulue, Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam immediately.

The President made this statement during a press conference held in the presidential office on Tuesday (29/3) following a sudden cabinet meeting.

Present at the meeting were the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Widodo A.S., Minister of Home Affairs M. Ma’ruf, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Purnomo Yusgiantoro, Minister of Public Works Joko Kirmanto, Minister of Foreign Affairs Nur Hassan Wirajuda, Commander in Chief of the Indonesian Military (TNI) Gen. Endriartono Sutarto, and the Chief of Police Gen. Da’I Bachtiar.

According to President Yudhoyono, the earthquake that destroyed Nias and Simeulue measured 8.2 on the Richter scale, whereas the United States recorded it at 8.7 on the Richter scale. Based on the information received by the President on Tuesday morning (29/3) from the Deputy Regent of Nias, the amount of damage was considerable with around 150 houses destoryed.

A total of 38 people died and 114 were wounded.

“The Nias Deputy Regent could not provide a precise total of those who had died because there are still some people trapped under the ruins,” said the President, adding that these totals could continue to change.

After hearing the report, he ordered local government officials to immediately take action.

The priority, said the President, was to carry out emergency measures, like taking care of the wounded, evacuating people where necessary and providing medical assistance in order to save more lives.

President Yudhoyono conveyed his condolences to the victims of the earthquake in these two areas.

“On behalf of the Indonesian government I wish to convey my condolences to the people who are the victims of this disaster,” he said.

In order to oversee the disaster, the President has delayed his visits to Australia, New Zealand, and Timor Leste until the emergency process in both areas is complete.

Separately, Cabinet Secretary Sudi Silalahi also said that President Yudhoyono would consider visiting the earthquake locations.

The government also has already sent medical teams from Jakarta and Medan, consisting of several doctors and nurses as well as medical supplies.

“Members of Bakornas (The National Disaster Management Coordination Board) have also already gone too,” said Sudi.

Abdul Manan/Budi Riza/Sunariyah