President Jokowi Inaugurates Anutapura Medical Center, Datokarama State Islamic University in Palu

Presiden Jokowi Wednesday (03/26) inaugurates post-disaster buildings in Palu city following the rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts. (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo inaugurated the rehabilitation and reconstruction of buildings affected by the earthquake and tsunami that struck the city of Palu in 2018.

President Jokowi stated that through Presidential Instruction Number 8 of 2022 on the Completion of Rehabilitation and Reconstruction after the Earthquake, Tsunami, and Liquefaction in Central Sulawesi Province, the Government has made various efforts to restore the affected areas.

“Alhamdulillah, thank God, through the hard work of various parties, today we can say that public facilities such as roads and bridges, as well as public services such as education, health services, and social and economic activities, have been restored,” the President said at the Anutapura Medical Center (AMC) Building, Anutapura Palu Regional Hospital, Palu city, Central Sulawesi province, on Tuesday (03/26).

The President mentioned that the AMC building of Anutapura Regional Hospital is one of the reconstruction efforts being carried out. The building, constructed with a budget of Rp244 billion, is the first building in Indonesia to implement a base isolation system with lead rubber bearings to reduce the impact of earthquakes.

“Earlier, I was shown a picture of some kind of shockbreaker under this building that can bend during an earthquake, but we hope we never have to experience one,” he said.

In addition, President Jokowi also inaugurated Datokarama State Islamic University (UIN), which also underwent comprehensive reconstruction with a total budget of Rp139.1 billion. The construction of a number of learning support facilities is part of the reconstruction of this education center.

“This reconstruction includes the construction of various learning facilities, lecture buildings, student centers, auditoriums, sports facilities, and other supporting facilities,” the President said.

Not only public infrastructure, but also the construction of permanent housing and post-disaster settlements are the focus of post-disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction. The President said that the Government has been building permanent housing and post-disaster settlement infrastructure since 2019, with a total cost of Rp1.005 trillion, which includes the construction of 3,724 units of permanent housing.

Following this inauguration, new hope is now wide open for Central Sulawesi province to rise and continue development towards a better future. The President also reminded that the post-disaster infrastructure that has been built can be maintained and utilized properly.

“It is expected that the activities of the community can fully return to normal. Social and economic activities can resume and recover,” he remarked. (TGH/UN) (FI/MMB)