Megawati Invites Mutual Cooperation To Be Prepared For Disasters

Handover of bags for the Disaster Preparedness Cultural Movement by the 5th President of the Republic of Indonesia, Megawati Soekarnoputri (DOK. DPP PDIP)

JAKARTA - The 5th President of the Republic of Indonesia, Megawati Soekarnoputri, urged all parties to be alert and work together to face disasters. This readiness is important given Indonesia's geographic conditions which are prone to disasters.

"The Disaster Preparedness Cultural Movement was launched. So that it is not just a slogan, it should be implemented immediately," said Mega as quoted in his written statement, Friday, April 23.

This was conveyed by Megawati when inaugurating the Disaster Preparedness Cultural Movement which was initiated by the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) to increase the commitment of all state administrators and the public to be aware of disasters.

Megawati said facing disasters and minimizing damage can be done as long as all parties are willing to work together.

He recounted the Japanese experience where the government and its people in the country always learned to be prepared for disasters. In fact, a number of details were considered, from backpacks, alert alarms, to evacuation routes.

Disaster preparedness also includes in-depth research on the types of disasters that may be present. To how to improve better post-disaster aid management.

"I mean, let us work together to change various things. One is spatial planning. Second, the data on mountains that cannot yet be synchronized," he said.

"If we only share without follow-up, how can we help the people? People often just give up. Thus, there must be lessons and simulations before a disaster," said Megawati.

The PDI-P Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto, who became the moderator of the event, expressed his gratitude to Megawati for inaugurating the movement. He asked Megawati to virtually hand over a bag which was a form of the launching of the Disaster Preparedness Cultural Movement.

The bag is a red backpack, inspired by the backpacks of Japanese citizens who are always ready in case of an earthquake and tsunami there.

Hasto called Doni Monardo and Dwikorita Karnawati to the front of the stage, receiving the bag symbolically from Megawati, and physically from her. "So this is like what happened in Japan as told by Bu Mega," said Hasto.

During the event, the Head of BMKG Dwikorita said that in 2002, when Megawati Soekarnoputri was still the Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia, it seemed that she had a vision for the future about natural disasters that would increase in Indonesia. So, anticipation is done by establishing BMKG as an independent organization as it is today.

"It is thanks to this decision that BMKG can develop as it is today, although we have many things to learn. Thank you to the Fifth President Mrs. Megawati for raising and strengthening BMKG," said Dwikorita.

"Although we also apologize for not being able to realize zero victims, or zero victims. We are committed to continuing to work together with state and local government officials to build disaster preparedness through this program in order to achieve zero victims," he added.

Apart from being attended by Megawati online, this event was also attended by Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian, Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini, and dozens of regional heads from all over Indonesia.

Not only that, there were also Minister of PUPR Basuki Hadimuljono, Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi, Head of BNPB Doni Monardo, Head of Basarnas Marsda (TNI) Henri Alfiandi, and Head of LIPI Laksana Tri Handoko.