JAKARTA - Members of the House of Representatives (DPR) have encouraged the determination of floods and landslides in Aceh-Sumatra as a national disaster. Political Communication Analyst Silvanus Alvin assessed the various encouragements of the DPR, starting from the emergency response to the determination of the status of the national disaster, which sends the meaning that the government must prioritize people who are victims of disasters.
"If we look at the series of statements from the DPR, starting from the Chairman of the DPR to other members of the DPR, it can be seen that the members of the council read this disaster not only as a technical issue, but as a humanitarian crisis that demands a quick response," said Silvanus Alvin, Tuesday, December 2.
Previously, the leadership and members of the DPR continued to voice that the government should determine floods and landslides in Aceh-Sumatra as a national disaster. Deputy Chairman of Commission I of the DPR RI Sukamta, even asked that this status not be postponed any longer.
Moreover, data updated by the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) on Monday, December 1 at 17.00 WIB, the number of victims who died as a result of floods and landslides in Sumatra increased to 604 people. With details, as many as 156 people died, 181 people were missing and 1,800 injured in Aceh.
Then, 165 people died, 114 people were missing, and 112 people were injured in West Sumatra. Meanwhile, the number of victims in North Sumatra reached 283 people, 169 people were missing, and 613 people were injured.
The BNPB Pusdatin Data Environment also revealed that at least 3,500 houses were heavily damaged, 4,100 houses were moderately damaged, 20,500 houses were lightly damaged, 271 bridges were damaged, up to 282 educational facilities were damaged.
"The victims are us, and not just numbers. And one of these is shown by the encouragement to raise status as a national disaster," said Alvin.
Alvin also appreciated the steps taken by members of the PKS faction of the DPR RI who cut salaries to donate to disaster victims. According to him, this effort is a form of concern that must be followed by representatives of the people from other factions.
"Not only that, efforts to cut salaries from all FPKS members can be imitated by party members from other factions. This shows not only concern but also the spirit of solidarity and mutual cooperation in the current difficult situation," said Alvin.
Alvin then highlighted the statement by the Deputy Chairman of Commission X of the DPR, MY Esti Wijayati regarding academic dispensation, relief from single tuition fees (UKT) to internet access for students affected by the disaster. Including the statement by the Chairman of Commission XIII DPR Willy Aditya who asked the government to eliminate the issuance of immigration documents for victims of disasters that were damaged or lost.
Alvin also expressed his appreciation for the statement by member of Commission II of the DPR Muhammad Khozin who asked the government to activate emergency funds for disaster mitigation, as well as Deputy Chairman of Commission IV of the DPR who asked for an acceleration of data collection on handling and damage to hydrometeorological disasters.
According to Alvin, the spotlight of this DPR member means that the government must prioritize safety, conditions to the needs of the victims.
"From educational issues, administrative documents, to social recovery, the DPR sent messages that victims must be prioritized in all lines of state services," said Alvin.
Alvin also appreciated the attitude of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, who encouraged the Government to respond quickly to disasters from evacuating residents, searching and rescue (SAR), to accelerating the distribution of aid for isolated areas. In fact, Puan asked all relevant institutions to ensure that logistics distribution, health services, clean water, and protection for vulnerable groups run without obstacles.
"The statement of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, is very clear. Refugees should not be allowed to live in prolonged uncertainty. The DPR's push regarding the acceleration of handling is a strong signal that the state is obliged to guarantee this certainty," said the millennial lecturer at one of the private universities.
Alvin returned to Sukamta's statement alluding to the forest damage that caused flash floods to hit the three provinces on the island of Sumatra. In fact, he asked the government to immediately investigate the alleged forest damage caused by corporations.
Alvin emphasized that this disaster is not just a phenomenon, but a reminder that the government can fix ecological problems and deforestation that benefits a small number of parties, but harms most people and other living things.
"The DPR also raises the issue of forest destruction, and this is important. They remind that this disaster is not a seasonal phenomenon, but an ecological problem that must be addressed," said Alvin.
"This is also important to follow up consistently in the DPR so that more than words and similar disasters do not happen again in the future," he concluded.
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