One Year Anniversary Of The Yogyakarta Earthquake: Japanese PM Shinzo Abe Condolences In Today's Memory, May 26, 2007

The BPKP building on Jl. Parangtritis, Bantul which collapsed due to the impact of a devastating earthquake in Yogyakarta on 27 May 2006. (Wikimedia Commons)

JAKARTA Memories of today, 16 years ago, May 26, 2007, Japan's Prime Minister (PM), Shinzo Abe expressed his condolences in commemoration of one year of the Yogyakarta Earthquake disaster. Abe said Japan fully supports Yogyakarta's rehabilitation and rebuilding efforts after the earthquake.

Previously, the Yogyakarta Earthquake brought deep sorrow to all Indonesian people, especially residents of Yogyakarta and surrounding areas. The earthquake killed thousands of people and destroyed hundreds of buildings.

Gempa adalah hal yang biasa terjadi di Bumi Nusantara. Seisi Nusantara memahaminya karena Indonesia dilalui oleh jalur annci api. Namun, tidak untuk gempa berkekuatan besar. Gempa yang mengguncang Yogyakarta pada pukul 05.53 WIB, 27 Mei 2006 adalah ekscuensi.

An earthquake measuring 5.9 on the Richter Scale occurred when residents of Yogyakarta and its surroundings were still asleep. The disaster then made the entire archipelago grieve. Thousands of casualties fell. The strength of the earthquake destroyed everything. From buildings to power grids.

The impact was not only present in the city of Yogyakarta, but also to Klaten. Since then the residents of Yogyakarta began to be hit by fear of aftershocks. The victim's tears and tears were not only heard everywhere.

The disaster has even been reported throughout the country. Condolences also came to the victims. Assistance is starting to be prepared. From funds to food. Everything is done to ease the burden on earthquake victims who survived.

Indonesian government officials also do not want to be left behind. They tried to urge President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) to designate the Yogyakarta Earthquake as a national disaster. However, that wish was not realized.

The temple roared from the earth's stomach and then tore Yogyakarta when dawn had just passed. That day, May 27. A 5.6-powered tectonic earthquake on the Richter scale shook for 57 seconds. Humans rushed out of the house. But the earthquake was even faster. Houses overflowed to the ground, capturing the lives of thousands of people. Yogyakarta and Central Java were filled with tears and along of sadness instantly.

The fire of death hangs on every threshold of the house. A number of politicians in Senayan urged the government to have the tragedy designated as a national disaster. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono replied, this is a humanitarian matter, not politics. The Governor of Yogyakarta, Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X, emphasized that regional infrastructure still has pulses so there is no need to be used as a national disaster," wrote a Tempo Magazine report entitled Petaka in Yogyakarta (2006).

The Indonesian government also received assistance from various countries to rebuild Yogyakarta. Japan is one of the things that helps. Japan took part in collaborating with Indonesia to restore.

The collaboration was later confirmed with condolences from the Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe the day before the one-year anniversary of the Yogyakarta Earthquake, or on May 26, 2007. Abe expressed his condolences to all Indonesian people.

He also emphasized Japan's commitment to helping Indonesia to recover the impact of the Yogyakarta Earthquake. This commitment is proof of the warm relations between Japan and Indonesia that have been established for a long time.

In his message, PM Abe expressed his deep condolences to the victims of the disaster, and expressed his appreciation for the rehabilitation and rebuilding efforts carried out by the Government and the people of Indonesia. The Prime Minister is also satisfied that Japan's cooperation has gone hand in hand to achieve rapid recovery in areas that were targeted by the earthquake in Central Java.

"Furthermore, based on the Joint Statement of the two state leaders signed in November, he expressed his determination to further develop longstanding friendly relations between the two countries which will soon enter the 50th year, between fabrics through various kinds of collaborations, including disaster management assistance," explained Shinzo Abe as quoted by the website of the Japanese Embassy in Indonesia, May 26, 2007.