FWK Urges Government To Investigate Traces Of Environmental Crime Behind The Sumatra Disaster
The National Journalists Forum (FWK) has urged the government to thoroughly investigate allegations of environmental crimes that are suspected of being the main trigger for the Sumatra Disaster in the form of floods and landslides in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra in the last six days.
National Coordinator of the National Journalists Forum Raja Parlindungan Pane assesses that forest damage, illegal logging, and deforestation should not be covered by natural factors such as extreme rain and Tropical Senyar cyclones.
The second source must be thoroughly investigated. Many victims died. The perpetrators are people, they can even be corporations," said Raja after the FWK National Working Meeting in Bogor, Sunday (30/11).
The king reminded the government to be responsible for protecting the people. He assessed that officials in the regions must know illegal activities that damage the environment. "Don't close your eyes when the logs truck passes. Check whether it's legal or illegal," he said.
Disasters in the three provinces are now entering their sixth day. Basarnas evacuated 35,813 residents, while 188 people died and 167 were still missing. Bridge collapsed, the national road was cut off, and several Binjai Toll Roads were flooded. Many areas are still isolated because the electricity and cellular networks were cut off.
SEE ALSO:
BNPB, BPBA, BPBD, TNI (National Police), and the SAR team have been deployed. However, FWK assessed that the emergency response rapid team should be increased.
In Aceh, BPBA recorded 119,988 affected residents and 20,759 displaced in 16 districts/cities.
In West Sumatra, BPBD reported 9 deaths in Padang, Agam, and West Pasaman. Meanwhile, in North Sumatra, 43 people died and 88 were missing in 12 districts/cities.
The king emphasized that the cause of the disaster from humans must be seriously investigated. If the government does not act as the perpetrator of natural destruction, where is the responsibility of the state?" he said.