|
Facing
Disaster:
Radio Global FM and BBC Hold Interactive
Discussion
Many natural disasters and incidents, caused
by humans, occurred many times recently.
For instance, tsunami, earthquake and landslides
have tugged quite some lives and property.
To anticipate such disasters or incidents,
Radio Global FM and BBC Indonesian Section
organized an interactive discussion entitled
“Before the disaster comes—assessing
the alertness of Bali’s people.”
The discussion was participated by several
components from government institutions,
organizations, students, youth and general
public taking place at Hotel Mercure Sanur,
Saturday (27/1).
Present on that occasion were the Head of
BBC Indonesian Section, Menuk Suwondo, CEO
of Bali Post Media Group Satria Naradha
and a number of speakers like the Head of
National Unity and Community Protection
of Bali Province MP Sihombing, member of
Regional Representatives of Bali Ida Ayu
Mas, senior journalist Juniartha, representative
of Indonesian Red Cross of Bali Branch Gede
Sugiartha and volunteer H Agus Bambang Priyanto.
Menuk Suwondo hoped that the discussion
could become a forum to discover ideas in
managing the frequent disasters that are
occuring in Indonesia. Prior to opening
the discussion, Satria Naradha reminded
the audience of the needs of integrated
working standards on facing the disaster.
He appealed upon the government to have
a standard measures that should be undertaken
by the people in saving themselves at the
time of disaster.
Ida Ayu Mas stated that several times ago
her party has responded on the draft of
the Act on disaster prepared by the House
of Representatives of Indonesia. Essentially
it needed an independent and autonomous
team that did not disregarded the local
wisdom to handle the disaster transpired.
“In handling the disaster, it is very
important to entail the involvement of the
local community. For instance, the destruction
of nature in Bali due to various developments,
no longer takes into account the Tri Hita
Karana concept (harmony with nature), which
is very important to the Balinese community”
she said.
MP Sihombing further described the measures
and efforts of the government in handling
disaster. At this time, disaster matters
are recurrently coordinated with National
Coordinator Agency, Operative Coordinator
Unit and Operative Unit. However, he admitted
that the absence of an institution that
handles cross-instructional command with
others was much needed, because each respective
organization has its own rules in performing
their tasks. “This is our main barrier
for this time,” he asserted.
At the same time, Juniartha appealed on
the need of making scenarios to know when
disaster occurs. Similarly, it’s important
to know where the secure areas are for evacuation,
how to carry out the evacuation and so forth.
He then gave the following illustration:
when a tsunami, reaching 30 meters, engulfs
Denpasar, the kulkul bulus (rapid tone of
wooden split drums) are stricken, but the
people do not know what to do. (BTN/015)
|
