To Monitor Smog Disaster, President Jokowi will be Based in OKI Regency

President Jokowi and First Lady Iriana greeted by officials upon arrival at the Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin, Palembang, South Sumatra, on Thursday (29/10)

After traveling approximately 25 hours from the United States, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) accompanied by First Lady Iriana and the entourage arrived at the Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II Airport Palembang, South Sumatra, on Thursday (29/10), at 08.15 pm.

The arrival of President Jokowi welcomed by the Governor of South Sumatra, Alex Noerdin, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Luhut B. Pandjaitan, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Minister of Education and Culture Anies Baswedan, and Minister of Health Nila Moloek, as well as the Head of BNPB Willem Rampangilei.

Communications Team of President, Ari Dwipayana in a press release on Thursday (29/10) morning said, President Jokowi would immediately proceed to OKI (Ogan Komering Ilir), South Sumatra by road. “In OKI, the President will be based in the office of Regent of OKI for a few days”. In addition to the perform the tasks of state, as well as to ensure the handling of the extinguishing of the land and forest fire can be run more effectively, and handling of residents that affected by smog, especially emergency response services in the field of health, education and social assistance goes well.

In addition, the President also wanted to know the preventive measures that have been made in addressing land and forest fires, as well as law enforcement efforts against the burners of land and forests, including companies involved.

According to Ari, President Jokowi opted for an office in OKI, because land and forest fires in that area are large and spacious.

“The smog resulting from land and forest fires in this area is enormous. The smog carried by the wind to the north-northwest, causing the smog surrounded Jambi, Riau and other areas,” he said.

Based on the information, President Jokowi also plans to visit Suku Anak Dalam, in Soro Langu District, Jambi, and review the disaster management of smog in Palangkaraya, Central Kalimantan. (ES)/Sy.