Observing Haze Disaster, President Jokowi Visits Riau, Jambi, and West Sumatra

Observing Haze Disaster, President Jokowi Visits Riau, Jambi, and West Sumatra

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) accompanied by the First Lady Ibu Iriana left Indonesian National Defence Forces (TNI) Airbase Halim Perdanakusuma by presidential airplane BBJ-2 to pay a working visit to some locations in Sumatra affected by haze disaster.

Presidential Communication Team member, Ari Dwipayana, in his press conference on Thursday (8 October) mentioned that the visit of President Jokowi and his entourage to one of the locations in Sumatra was a series of his working visits to Sumatra for several days.

“The cities to be visited are chosen based on the visibility. They are Pekanbaru and Jambi. In both cities, the visibility is below the normal level. Another alternative is to visit Padang and the Riau Province on a road trip,” Ari said.

According to Ari, in the locations to be visited, President Jokowi will directly observe the haze disaster. Previously, President Jokowi has also observed the locations of haze disaster in South Sumatra on 6 September 2015, South Kalimatan on 23 September 2015, and Central Kalimantan on 24 September 2015.

Ari explained that the President and the First Lady Ibu Iriana will observe the disaster that causes severe air pollution in those areas. After observing the haze disaster, the President and his entourage would visit some Community Health Service Centers spread in some cities and regencies in the Provinces until afternoon.

“The President and the entourage will spend the night and then the next day will continue the visit,” Ari explained.

In this visit, President Jokowi was accompanied by, among others, Minister of Health Nila Moeloek, Minister of Villages, Underdeveloped Regions and Transmigration Marwan Fajar, and Presidential Chief of Staff Teten Masduki.

Presidential Instruction

Presidential Communication Team member, Ari Dwipayana, in his press conference revealed that previously, President Jokowi has instructed the government officials at both central and regional levels, as well as TNI and Indonesian Police (POLRI) to apply firm action not only toward those who have burnt the forests, but also those who have issued the instructions on burning the forests.

“In addition, the President has also issued the instructions on revoking the licenses of the companies involved in the forest and land burnings,” Ari said.

Meanwhile, in a Limited Meeting on Smart Indonesia Card (KIP) and Healthy Indonesia Card (KIS), at the Presidential Office on Wednesday (7 August), President Jokowi has asked Minister of Education and Culture Anies Baswedan to pay attention to education for the children who are affected by the haze disaster.

“Do not put the children at risk. Make their health a priority. The school should give them days off until the condition is better,” the President said.

President Jokowi asked Minister of Health Nila Moeloek to ensure the service provided at the health centers in the provinces affected by the haze disaster. “Provide the best service and give masks to the residents,” the President said.

Meanwhile, Minister of Social Affairs Khofifah Indar Parawansa has been requested by President Jokowi to provide assistance to the people in the affected areas. The President also asked Minister of Women Empowerment and Children Protection Yohana Susana Yembise to pay attention to the children in the affected areas. “Do not let the children in the affected areas experience trauma,” President Jokowi said as quoted by Ari Dwipayana. (Pusdatin/ES) (AW/YM-Naster/Sy)