Megawati Leaves A Message To Her Deputy, Gibran: Tell The Mayor, Don't Drown

PDIP General Chair Megawati Soekarnoputri (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - PDI-P General Chair Megawati Soekarnoputri reminded her cadres who served as regional heads to pay attention to rivers in their respective regions. Moreover, recently the threat of rising sea water due to global warming continues to haunt and have an impact on overflowing rivers.

This was conveyed by Megawati when opening the Basic Training of Disaster Management and Control of Search and Rescue Operations for the Management of the Disaster Management Agency (Baguna) of DPD and DPC throughout Indonesia.

"I ask regents and regional heads from the PDI-P to always look into this," said Megawati, who was virtually present at the event, Tuesday, September 28.

He asked regional heads to know the latest weather conditions and situations from the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) as well as predictions for the future. This is important to anticipate disasters due to overflow of river water.

"Imagine if suddenly the river overflows. What happens is because the sea water rises so that the overflowing river water cannot flow into the sea," said the 5th President of the Republic of Indonesia.

On that occasion, Megawati also mentioned a number of regional heads who were present, such as the Regent of Purbalingga and the Deputy Regent of Kebumen Ristiawati. He asked Ristiwati to ask the BMKG about the potential for overflowing rivers flowing in her area.

So that in the future a path can be prepared for the community. "Also think about how the aid line enters when a disaster occurs. Do not let the route be closed when a disaster occurs. So that food and other aid can enter," he said.

Deputy Mayor of Surakarta Achmad Purnomo was also asked to do the same. Moreover, the area led by the cadres is drained by the Bengawan Solo River.

In fact, Achmad Purnomo was also asked to convey to the Mayor of Solo, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, to organize the river area. "In Surakarta, there is Bengawan Solo. Let's start to organize it. Tell the Mayor (Gibran, ed), not to drown. Everything must be prepared," he said.

He admitted that the BMKG was not yet perfect in carrying out its duties. However, the agency has worked hard to convey information related to regional potential.

"Now regional leaders must move if there are signs of a disaster. Don't wait. Residents must also pay attention. If the sea level rises, it has been said not to go to sea, so you must obey. Don't challenge the sea if for example our ship is not capable," Mega said. He also doesn't want regional heads to just do training but also have to carry out their practice. In fact, Megawati asked them to imitate Japan, which was already organized in dealing with disasters.

"Regional heads, move to make roadmaps when a disaster occurs. If a disaster occurs, where is the evacuation route. This is an example of our preparation and can be coordinated. So as to minimize casualties. I remind the people that it must be organized. And that is the duty of all of you," he said.

Meanwhile, for BNPB and Basarnas, Megawati asked that the socialization of disaster guidelines should continue. So, when a disaster strikes, people are not confused.

In fact, if necessary, the community can be mobilized to be observers of natural signs. However, they must have the ability.

This, Megawati said, followed the example of residents in East Nusa Tenggara who volunteered to observe the height of the waves. "I suggest that people be mobilized to be observers of the waves and natural signs. In NTT there is an example like this and it turns out to help many others. We have to do something like this, educating the public that the will to cultivate emergency response, quick reaction, and right on target.

This training activity is carried out online in collaboration with PDIP with the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Training Center and Basarnas. All party officials such as PDIP Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto and DPP administrators, namely Eriko Sotarduga and Ribka Tjiptaning who are also the Head of the PDIP DPP Agency, Wasekjen Arif Wibowo and Sadarestuwati were also present.

Not only that, the event was also attended by Head of Basarnas Marsdya Henri Alfiandi, Head of BNPB Lt. Gen. Ganip Warsito, and Head of BMKG Dwikorita Karnawati.