Not Arrogant, Megawati Reveals Her Role In Forming BMKG Until She Asks To Resign To Gus Dur

Megawati Soekarnoputri/ Antara

JAKARTA - The 5th President of the Republic of Indonesia, Megawati Soekarnoputri, mentioned the importance of creating a disaster anticipation system that can be applied by the people. He also requested that regional heads go directly to the field when a disaster occurs. This was said by Megawati when giving a speech at the National Development Coordination Meeting in the context of the 74th Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Day which was held virtually, Thursday, July 29.

On this occasion, Megawati hoped that the BMKG could also carry out its directives to anticipate disasters and go directly to affected areas. Moreover, Megawati also played a role in the establishment of the disaster management agency in Indonesia.

"I convey this more in the form of a brief summary, precisely to be implemented immediately. I hope (as, red) who created the BMKG, BNPB. I don't mean to brag, BNN, KPK and so on. What I say is very easy to implement immediately to the field. Because I often have contact with Mrs. Dwikorita (Head of BMKG). She often asks for my input," said Megawati.

In addition to giving birth to the BMKG, the PDIP General Chair also revealed his role in strengthening the BMKG, which was originally still under the auspices of the Ministry of Transportation. According to him at that time, BMKG should be a separate institution so that disaster management can be more optimal.

"I was surprised because at that time the place now called BMKG was in the Sub-Directorate General of the Ministry of Transportation," he said.

Megawati, who was assigned by President Abdurrahman Wahid or Gus Dur to handle disasters, also asked that the BMKG's authority be strengthened. He admitted that he would resign from his duties as Head of Disaster Management if the BMKG was not transformed into its own institution.

"In short, I reported this to the President and I said that if this was not changed then I would like to resign from my duty as Head of Disaster Management," he said. Ministry of Transportation. "I remember very well the President asked me why, ma'am? It means that what I have to deal with will be a slow process," said Megawati.