VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) will act quickly and lead the humanitarian operations to help people in areas affected by a devastating earthquake in Donggala and Palu, Central Sulawesi.

This optimistic attitude of Jokowi was conveyed by Secretary of the National Campaign Team (TKN) of presidential and vice-presidential candidates Jokowi and Ma`ruf Amin, Hasto Kristiyanto, in Jakarta on Saturday.

He made the statement in response to the 7.4-magnitude earthquake that jolted Donggala in Central Sulawesi on Friday at 6:02 p.m. Central Indonesia Standard Time.

According to Kristiyanto, Jokowi-Ma`ruf`s TKN expressed deep condolences over the deaths in the earthquake and tsunami in Donggala and Palu and also expressed concern for the survivors or the people in the affected areas.

The secretary general of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle made assurance that the president`s main focus was the people, so various campaign affairs would be abandoned, and Jokowi would prefer to directly oversee the handling of victims.

"Let us boost solidarity and work together with the president to help the victims of the earthquake disaster in Donggala and Palu," Kristiyanto remarked.

Kristiyanto was taken aback on hearing the news of the earthquake measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale in Donggala. Videos circulating online, which illustrate the existence of a tsunami, are a matter of significant concern.

"Earthquake disasters are indeed difficult to forecast, but we believe the Government will respond quickly to help the victims," he added. (ANTARA)