President Prabowo Spends New Year’s Eve in S. Tapanuli Regency with Disaster-Stricken Community
Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya delivers a press statement in South Tapanuli regency, North Sumatra province on Wednesday (12/31). (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat)
President Prabowo Subianto Wednesday (12/31) visited disaster-stricken South Tapanuli regency in North Sumatra province to spend New Year’s Eve with disaster survivors.
“The President is spending the New Year’s Eve here in South Tapanuli [regency]. He will perhaps have dinner with the local people and shake hands with them. They will watch a movie together on a big temporary screen,” Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya said in a press statement in the regency.
According to Teddy, the situation at the shelter in Batang Toru district has significantly improved, with most survivors having returned to their homes.
“In Batang Toru [subdistrict], South Tapanuli [regency], the majority of survivors have left the shelter and returned to their own homes, but a kitchen and logistics are kept available at the shelter, in anticipation that they may need to return here once in a while,” he said.
In the afternoon, President Prabowo has directly inspected the construction of the 13th bridge that has been completed, namely a 44-meter long baily bridge over Garoga River.
Teddy pointed out that although the bridge is already accessible, a one-way system is still implemented in its initial phase of operation.
“It is accessible, but as it’s only been two days since, a one-way system is used. People have to take turns. We usually test it out despite the swift completion. We want it to be safe, not just completed quickly. Safety is important,” he said.
With the recovery of some connecting infrastructure, Teddy stated that the people’s economic activities around the affected areas have begun to resume.
“It is a border area and the route is difficult, with areas on its left and right being cleaned up. For several weeks, as you can see, the local economy has resumed. People have opened up their stores and businesses,” he said, adding that the President is set to continue his working visit to Aceh Tamiang regency to inspect the temporary housing units built by sovereign wealth fund Danantara.
“He is heading to Aceh Tamiang [regency] tomorrow. There are housing units developed by Danantara. The President has ordered us to check them tomorrow. There should be 500-600 [housing units] already completed, insha Allah,” he remarked. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (DH/TM)
