JAKARTA - Member of the DPR from the PKB faction, Abdullah, asked all parties to stop the debate that cornered volunteers in handling disasters in Sumatra.
This was conveyed by Abdullah in response to criticism of influencers and activists Ferry Irwandi who directly helped flood and landslide victims in North Sumatra, West Sumatra, and Aceh.
According to Abdullah, Ferry and the volunteers' steps to raise billions of rupiah funds are a form of empathy that must be appreciated. Moreover, they also took part in going directly to disaster points.
"I give my appreciation to Bung Ferry and the volunteers who have struggled to help disaster victims on the island of Sumatra by collecting funds and going directly to the disaster site," Abdullah told reporters, Wednesday, December 10.
"I agree with Bung Ferry's statement, collaboration is the key to handling this disaster," he continued.
Previously, volunteer measures such as Ferry Irwandi were highlighted because it was more viral than government assistance. Ferry did not escape criticism regarding his statement which was considered to corner the government, including accusations that he called the country a closed eye, as well as voice recordings about alleged sexual harassment at the disaster site.
But Ferry denied all these accusations. He emphasized that he had never stated that the state was ignorant, explaining the tense conditions only depicted remote areas that he entered, and said the issue of sexual harassment appeared spontaneously from the caller during the live streaming session.
According to Abdullah, Ferry's clarification was sufficient to answer the polemic. The Central Java electoral district PKB legislator emphasized that the main focus of volunteers and all parties is collaborative work involving the central and regional governments as well as various civil organizations.
In addition, Abdullah also appreciated Ferry's call to prioritize services for vulnerable groups such as women and children, especially in remote areas that are difficult to reach.
"So in my opinion, we are over this cornering debate. Our focus is on dealing with disasters, and this departs from national solidarity," he said.
The member of Commission III of the DPR also emphasized that national solidarity has been seen through cooperation between volunteers and the TNI-Polri. He gave an example of how the Polairud Police Headquarters helped transport 2.6 tons of aid using the Fokker 27 aircraft, while the TNI supported access to isolated areas by helicopters and Hercules aircraft.
"I support the collaboration that is positive for the TNI-Polri and civil society in dealing with this disaster, and this collaboration must be improved from both quantity and skin, so that disaster management on the island of Sumatra can be accelerated or carried out more effectively," Abdullah said.
Abdullah, who is usually called Abduh, emphasized that the DPR's support for the call of the Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment, Abdul Muhaimin Iskandar or Cak Imin, to carry out ecological drugs as a step to prevent similar disasters from recurring.
"The DPR supports the call for ecological medicine, starting from stopping deforestation, restoring the function of protected areas, restoring watersheds and what is certain is that the police must give strict sanctions to environmental destroyers," said Abduh.
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