Filming Of The TMTM Soap Opera At The Semeru Eruption Refuge Is Criticized, Are There Sanctions?

JAKARTA - The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) criticized the filming of the soap opera Forced to Marry Tuan Muda (TMTM) in the midst of the disaster and evacuation sites of Mount Semeru, Lumajang Regency, East Java.

"It is unfortunate that the shooting of soap operas at disaster locations and in evacuation centers, especially when the emergency response status is still in effect, is certainly very unfortunate," said Acting Head of the BNPB Disaster Information and Communication Data Center, Abdul Muhari in a written statement, Thursday, December 23.

BNPB calls on various parties to respect and empathize with disaster-affected communities and not to carry out activities that are not a priority during the emergency response.

In addition, the priority of emergency response activities is optimization of services to affected communities, recovery of disaster-affected areas, and preparation of relocation locations.

"BNPB hopes that this situation will no longer occur in the future. In addition, BNPB also hopes that the community will prioritize moral and material support to ease the burden on residents affected by the disaster," said Abdul.

In addition, BNPB also appealed to residents not to do disaster tourism, especially in areas directly affected by the hot cloud avalanche on December 4.

This is solely done so that activities in the emergency response phase can run smoothly, and officers in the field are not disturbed by other activities outside the priority of emergency response activities.

However, BNPB in its statement did not mention the follow-up to the filming of the TMTM soap opera, including whether or not there were sanctions.

The Command Post (Posko) for Emergency Response to the Eruption of Mount Semeru as of December 22, 2021, at 18.00 WIB, still recorded a total of 51 people who died.

The displaced residents amounted to 10,539 people spread over 409 evacuation points. The main refuge points are in Lumajang Regency and a few others are in Malang, Probolinggo, Blitar and Jember Regencies. The Command Post is still updating the data of displaced residents.

Regarding the plan for the construction of temporary shelters or temporary shelters, the local government has made various follow-up efforts, such as obtaining a land use permit from the Ministry of Forestry and Environment.

In terms of budget, the Command Post has received a donation of Rp. 20.67 billion which will later be used for the relocation program for residents affected by the Semeru eruption.

The second extension of the emergency response status after the eruption of Mount Semeru will end tomorrow, December 24, 2021. Meanwhile, the Command Post, which is assisted by volunteers, continues to provide basic needs services to residents in refugee camps, such as in the education, health, security and agriculture sectors.