Gov’t Set to Evacuate 188 Indonesian Crew Members on World Dream Cruise Ship

President Jokowi answers reporters’ questions after attending the Plenary Session of 2019 Annual Report of the Supreme Court at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC), Jakarta, Wednesday (26/2). (Photo by: PR / Jay).

As many as 188 Indonesian citizens working as crew members aboard the World Dream cruise ship will be evacuated immediately, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has said.

“The ship is the closest to us. I have ordered authorities to pick up the 188 citizens aboard the cruise ship with the warship KRI Soeharto immediately,” President Jokowi said after attending the Plenary Session of 2019 Annual Report of the Supreme Court at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC), Jakarta, Wednesday (26/2).

President Jokowi went on to say that the Government has prepared the location for quarantine, which will be in the Sebaru Island, Thousand Islands, Jakarta. The Sebaru Island is expected to be able to accommodate the affected citizens since it also has good facilities needed for observation.

In the meantime, President Jokowi said that the Government will have a more comprehensive discussion concerning Indonesian crew members of the Diamond Princess and other citizens that will be evacuated to the Sebaru Island.

“We will have further discussion regarding several Indonesian-nationals Diamond Cruise crews who are now in Japan. The Government is still negotiating with the Japanese Government,” the President said.

On that occasion, the President said that the Government will complete the process as quickly as possible. In addition, the President also pointed out that the coronavirus has spread to many countries, including China, Korea, Japan, Iran, and Italy.

“All decisions should be taken carefully since Indonesia has 267 million citizens. This is done for the safety of the country and the nation,” the President said, adding that decisions should be well-considered.

At the end of his press statement, the President stated that the evacuations carried out by aircraft or ships still have the same risks.There should be calculations for every risk,” the President concluded. (DND / EN)

Translated by: Syarifah Aisyah
Reviewed by: Yuyu Mulyani