DPR Says the Raising of the White Flag in Aceh is Not a Political Symbol, but the People's Despair

JAKARTA - Member of Commission IV of the DPR, Daniel Johan, highlighted the phenomenon of the raising of white flags by a number of Acehnese residents who were victims of the flood and landslide disasters at the end of November.

Daniel said that the raising of the white flag was not a political symbol but rather a sense of despair over the slow handling of post-disaster.

"(This phenomenon) is a loud alarm for the country and the government. It is not a political symbol, but a symbol of the exhaustion and despair of the people who feel that the handling has not been maximal," Daniel Johan told reporters, Thursday, December 18.

According to the legislator from the West Kalimantan District, there are still many residents who have not been touched by government assistance, especially since they are still traumatized by the loss of family members, loss of homes, food difficulties, and the interruption of electricity.

"Although the government's efforts are commendable, the fact is, on the ground, it shows that residents need more extraordinary rescue steps," said Daniel.

He explained that Aceh's current needs are very complex, ranging from post-disaster recovery, provision of housing, access to infrastructure, to environmental recovery. Daniel also touched on the importance of the legal aspect so that similar disasters do not recur.

"Including law enforcement for natural destruction, and development policies that no longer sacrifice the safety of the people," he said.

The PKB politician also asked the government to deploy all the resources owned by the state to be directed to Aceh and other areas in Sumatra that were affected as part of a humanitarian mission.

He also reminded that the presence of the state must be felt in its entirety, not only during emergency response, but until long-term recovery.

"The state must not allow citizens to 'surrender' alone," said Daniel.

Daniel understands the government's consideration which has not set the status of National Disaster. However, he emphasized that even without the status, the state must deploy its full strength.

"If the disaster status is not determined as a national disaster, the state must maximize massive assistance to the public," he said.

"The raising of this flag indicates that they ask for immediate extraordinary efforts in handling this disaster," continued Daniel.

As is known, people in a number of areas in Aceh have raised white flags along the Banda Aceh-Medan National Road. The raising of this flag is a form of disappointment over the slow handling of the flood and landslide disasters that have hit the area over the past three weeks.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian when confirmed did not explain the details of the phenomenon. Tito emphasized that he would check on the actions of the Acehnese people.

"I don't know yet, I'll check first," Tito said in Jakarta, quoted Wednesday, December 17.