Aceh Flood Called Tsunami Volume II, Governor Muzakir Strongly Reprimands Regional Heads Who Are 'Cengeng'

Aceh Governor Muzakkir Manaf. BETWEEN/Hayaturrahmah

EAST ACEH - Aceh Governor Muzakir Manaf emphasized that regents or regional heads who are unable to handle flood disasters should immediately resign.

"If there are regents who cry and give up facing this disaster, please resign or resign from their positions. We will replace them with others who are ready to work for the people," said Muzakir Manaf in East Aceh, Antara, Friday, December 5.

The statement was made in response to a number of regional heads who claimed to be unable to handle the floods that are currently hitting various areas in Aceh.

According to the Governor, this disaster was not an ordinary event, but had an extraordinary impact which he called the second volume of 'tsunami'.

"In the 2004 tsunami, water only came for about two hours. But this time the flood inundated people's houses for more than five days. This is an extraordinary suffering for the people of Aceh," he said.

Based on temporary data from the Aceh Government, at least five areas experienced heavy category flooding, namely East Aceh Regency, Aceh Tamiang, North Aceh, parts of Bireuen, and parts of Central Aceh.

In these areas, thousands of houses were submerged, roads and bridges were broken, economic activity was paralyzed, public facilities were damaged, and thousands of residents were displaced. In fact, a temporary report stated that there were casualties and an increase in the number of sick residents.

Muzakir Manaf ordered sub-district and keuchik in all affected areas to go directly to the field, ensuring that all residents receive assistance.

"There should be no sub-district or keuchik that is just waiting for instructions. Everyone must move, the public kitchen must run, the aid must arrive, and no residents should be starving," he said.

He also reminded regional heads not to be passive or afraid to make decisions during emergency conditions.

"The regional head was chosen by the people to work in the most difficult conditions, not to complain. People need leaders in the front row, not those who run away from responsibility," he said.

The Governor of Aceh also ensured that health assistance was strengthened. The Aceh government brought in a number of doctors from Malaysia to help treat flood-affected patients, especially severe cases such as infections, diarrhea, ISPA, and skin diseases.

The move was taken because a number of health facilities in flood areas were damaged, lacked medical personnel, and the increasing number of patients.

"We must not allow our people to fight alone. We must mobilize all resources, including medical personnel from abroad if needed," said Muzakir Manaf.

The Aceh government hopes that the evacuation process, distribution of aid, handling of victims, and regional recovery can run faster through cooperation between the government, TNI-Polri, volunteers, medical personnel, and the community.

"This disaster is a strong warning that Aceh is still very vulnerable to natural disasters, both in terms of geography and infrastructure readiness," said the Governor.