VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) is scheduled to visit tsunami-affected victims and also the Bob Bazar Regional General Hospital (RSUD) in Kalianda, South Lampung.

"Yes, I really want to come, but I do not know when it will be clear, not today," Colonel Kav Erwin Djatniko, commander of the 043/Gatam Military Command, remarked when contacted telephonically from South Lampung on Thursday.

The Military Resort Command, or Danrem, confirmed the president`s plan to first conduct his working visit to the South Sumatra region (Sumsel).

"It could be right to go to South Sumatra. The president stopped by first at the location of the tsunami disaster. What is clear is that we are ready to secure both the victims affected by the tsunami and welcome the president," he stated.

President Jokowi earlier on Monday, Dec 24, departed for Banten Province to review the handling of the impact of the tsunami disaster that hit the coast around Sunda Strait, especially in Pandeglang District, South Lampung, and Serang.

From the Atang Sendjaja Air Force Base, Bogor, West Java, Jokowi and his entourage flew to Pandeglang Regency, Banten Province, aboard the Indonesian Air Force EC725 Caracal Helicopter, at 9 a.m. local time.

"After arriving in Pandeglang District, President Jokowi immediately visited several locations affected by the tsunami," Deputy Secretary of Protocol, Press, and Media of the Presidential Secretariat Bey Machmudin noted in his press statement.

The president will also visit several community health centers and hospitals in Pandeglang for treating tsunami victims.

Machmudin said Jokowi was keen to ensure swift and efficient handling of the impact of the tsunami disaster.

"This especially pertains to the evacuation of victims and the existence of health service assistance," he added. (ANTARA)

 Head of Center for Data Information and Public Relations of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said at 1 p.m. local time, death toll from the tsunami in Sunda Strait reached 430.

"A total of 430 people died, and the number could continue to climb, as the SAR team had been focusing on its operations in the south, specifically in the sub-district of Sumur. At the moment, the worst impact is still felt in Pandeglang," Sutopo noted at a press conference at BNPB in Jakarta on Wednesday.

The agency also noted that until the fourth day after the Sunda Strait tsunami, 1,495 people were injured, 159 people were missing, and 21,991 people were displaced due to the disaster that struck on Saturday night (Dec 22).

The tsunami that hit at around 9:30 p.m. local time affected five districts, including Pandeglang and Serang in Banten Province as well as South Lampung, Pesawaran, and Tanggamus in Lampung Province. Of the five districts, the worst impact was felt by Pandeglang district, with 290 people dead, 1,143 people injured, 77 people missing, and 17,477 people displaced.

In South Lampung district, 113 people died, 289 were injured, 14 missing, and 4,200 individuals were displaced.

In Serang, 25 people died, 62 were injured, 68 were missing, and 83 were displaced, while in Pesawaran, there was one fatality, one was injured, and 231 were displaced, whereas one person died in Tanggamus.

Hence, the emergency response period is being applied for 14 days for Pandeglang District, from December 22, 2018, to January 4, 2019, while in South Lampung, the emergency response period is applicable for seven days, on Dec 23-29.

"There is a possibility of the period being extended, depending on how the situation develops on the field. Recommendations are being gathered from the BMKG and PVMBG, while local governments are in charge of evacuation processes and the BNPB, ministries, Police, and Army will support and strengthen the evacuation measures," he revealed.

The possibility of the period being extended later will be adjusted according to the on-field conditions. Recommendations can be obtained from BMKG and PVMBG, while the regional government will have authority in the evacuation process, while BNPB, ministries and institutions, TNI/Police, and others will strengthen evacuation operations," he added.(ant)