The Command Post For Evacuating Victims Of The Semeru Eruption Becomes A Filming Site For The TMTM Soap Opera, The Regent Of Lumajang: Illegal, I Will Finish It Internally First

Officers combing locations affected by the eruption of Mount Semeru some time ago / ANTARA

SURABAYA - The refugee camp for the Semeru victims in Lumajang Regency, East Java, suddenly went viral on social media. The reason is that the refugee post in Penanggal Village, Candipuro District, Lumajang Regency, was used as a filming location for a soap opera on Tuesday, December 21.

It was confirmed that the Regent of Lumajang, Thoriqul Haq, confirmed that the shooting activity did not have a permit. However, Thoriq has not taken concrete action regarding the illegal filming activities.

"This activity (filming of soap operas) does not have a permit or is illegal. I will finish it internally first, who communicates with PH, after that there will be immediate action," Thoriq told reporters, Thursday, December 23.

The politician from the National Awakening Party confirmed that there was a process for applying for a permit from the soap opera maker's production house. However, said Cak Thoriq - Thoriqul's nickname - his party is currently still coordinating with the authorities. "It's still in the process of submitting from the PH, so that related agencies coordinate with those who make decisions," he said.

Previously, the video of the filming of the soap opera went viral on social media. This is because the shooting was carried out at the refugee post in Penanggal Village, Candipuro District, Lumajang Regency, on Tuesday, December 21.

The volunteers voiced their criticism of the soap opera because it was deemed to lack empathy. Until finally, one of the artists who played in the soap opera, Rebecca Tamara, apologized through her social media account.

Likewise, the production house for the soap opera Forced to Marry Tuan Muda, Verona Pictures, also apologized through its official Instagram account.

"If we have offended the victims with our arrival, we sincerely apologize from the bottom of our hearts," wrote Verona Pictures, from the @veronapictures Instagram page, Thursday, December 23.