VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Upon arrival at Mutiara Sis Al Jufri Airport, Palu City, on Sunday, September 30, 2018, President Joko Widodo immediately led a limited meeting (ratas) with a number of his staff related to the earthquake and tsunami disaster that hit Central Sulawesi.

Arriving at 1:06 p.m. local time, the President was welcomed by the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Wiranto, TNI Commander Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto, and National Police Chief Gen. Tito Karnavian. In addition, the Governor of Central Sulawesi, Longki Djanggola, Central Sulawesi Police Chief Brigadier General Ermi Widyatno, and Commander XIII / Merdeka, Maj. Gen. Tiopan Aritonang also welcomed the President.

The President then headed to a room at the airport and immediately  held a limited meeting with the Central Sulawesi Governor, Coordinating Minister for Politics and Security Wiranto, Minister of Social Affairs Agus Gumiwang, Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi, Minister of Public Works and People's Housing (PUPR) Basuki Hadimuljono, Head of National Mitigation Agency (BNPB) Willem Rampangilei, and Head of the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) Middle Marshal TNI M Syaugi.

After the meeting, the President, who wore TNI's green-black camouflage jacket, then gave directions to the Indonesian Military (TNI) soldiers in the courtyard or airport terrace. In particular, he requested the readiness of the TNI soldiers to work hard in the evacuation stage.

"I ask all of you to be ready to work day and night to complete the evacuation. Are you ready?" the President said.

"Ready!" Replied the TNI soldiers.

In addition to evacuation, the Head of State also requested the readiness of TNI members to assist the rehabilitation and reconstruction process in Central Sulawesi.

"You have also work hard together with the community, with all components of the National Police, the community and all institutions and ministries so that we can all immediately solve the problems in the province of Central Sulawesi," he said.

From the airport, the President and his entourage immediately moved to review a number of points affected by the disaster.

The first point to visit was Perumnas Balaroa and arrived at 1:55 p.m. At this location, the President reviewed the location of the rubble and handed over the aid.

The next place to be reviewed by the President was Talise Beach. This beach is the main tourist spot in Palu and the most affected by the tsunami.

The President then headed to the Undata Hospital and finally the President review the refugee post in Vatulemo Square. (Release by Protocol, Press and Media, the Presidential Secretariat)

Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono has offered condolences and sympathy through the Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi over the earthquake and tsunami that hit Central Sulawesi on Friday.

Minister Taro Kono conveyed his deep condolences to all the families of the dead victims, according to a statement from the Japanese embassy in Jakarta.

"I express my condolences to the government and all the people of Indonesia for the earthquake and tsunami disaster that caused significant loss of life and damage on the island of Sulawesi on September 28, 2018," Minister Kono remarked.

The Japanese government said it was ready to provide assistance to the Indonesian government in any form to deal with the impact of the earthquake.

"I pray that the injured victims of the disaster can be recovered soon and places that have been damaged by the disaster are quickly restored," Kono said.

In addition, expressions of condolences were also conveyed by a number of government representatives from friendly countries including Britain, Australia, France and Denmark.

British junior minister for Asia Pacific Affairs Mark Field through his Twitter account @MarkFieldUK expressed deep condolences to all communities affected by the tsunami and earthquake in Indonesia.

"Our prayers are with family and relatives of the victims," Mark said, which was uploaded by the British Ambassador to Indonesia, Moazzam Malik.

Meanwhile, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said in his Twitter account @ScottMorrisonMP, "very sad to hear the tragic events that occurred in Sulawesi".

By calling President Joko Widodo @jokowi`s Twitter account, Morrison conveyed Australia`s readiness to assist post-disaster recovery efforts.

The condolences were also conveyed by the French Ambassador to Indonesia Jean-Charles Berthonnet through his Twitter account @JCBerthonnet, as well as the Danish Ambassador to Indonesia Rasmus A Kristensen through the @DubesDmarkmark account.

The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) recorded a 7.4 magnitude earthquake which occurred on Friday (Sept 28) at 05:02 p.m. local time, triggered a tsunami as high as 0.5 to six meters on the west coast of Central Sulawesi. (ANTARA)

The Government and people of South Africa wish to extend its sincere condolences to the Government and people of Indonesia  following a powerful earthquake and tsunami that hit the island of Sulawesi, which have claimed nearly 400 lives thus far.

The thoughts of the people of South Africa are with the people of Indonesia during this difficult period and the South African Government extends its sympathy to those families who have lost their loved ones.

The South African Embassy in Jakarta is in contact with authorities and no South African has been reported missing.

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation urges family members of any South African who is residing or on holiday in Indonesia, whom they cannot contact or locate, to contact the Department’s 24-hour switchboard number at 012 351 1000. (Release)