Vice President Asks Residents Around Mount Ruang To Follow Government Directives

The condition of Mount Ruang in Sitaro Islands Regency, North Sulawesi, which is still emitting gray smoke based on air monitoring by the BNPB team using a helicopter, Saturday (4/5/2024). (ANTARA/HO-Pusdatinkom BNPB)

SERANG - Vice President (Vice President) Ma'ruf Amin asked people affected by the eruption of Mount Ruang in Sitaro Islands Regency, North Sulawesi (Sulut) to follow directions from the government regarding the relocation of their homes.

"I ask the public to follow the instructions given by the government. The government will see when the situation, for example, must be relocated," said the Vice President when giving a press statement after attending the "Silaturahim Idul Fitri 1445 Hijriah of the Regional Committee for Sharia Economics and Finance (KDEKS) Banten Province" at the An-Nawawi Tanara Islamic Boarding School, Serang Regency, Banten, Saturday.

According to the Vice President, the government's steps to relocate are for the safety of residents affected by the eruption of Mount Ruang.

"Relocation means that there is something that must be saved, so there should be no casualties because the community should follow the instructions," said the Vice President.

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), said the Vice President, has also ordered the Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/Head of the National Land Agency (ATR/BPN) Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono to prepare land for the relocation of affected communities.

"The president has ordered the Minister of ATR to also prepare land for the relocation of the possibility because if the relocation is the best, the government will definitely take that step," he said.

"If the danger is not too big, maybe there is no need to be relocated, but if the level of danger is sufficient, the alternative is not only evacuation but also relocation," continued the Vice President.

It is known that President Jokowi ordered the relevant ministers to permanently relocate victims affected by the eruption of Mount Ruang.

While chairing a limited meeting (ratas) with ministers of the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet at the State Palace, Friday (3/5), President Jokowi considered the relocation option that must be accelerated so that the refugees immediately get settlements.

"First of all, we will complete the refugee affairs, because of the existing spatial planning, whether we can return to our place of origin so that relocation is needed for settlements that must be accelerated, as well as land matters including house affairs and those related to work," said President Jokowi in his introductory remarks.