Advanced technology not yet lifesaving

Roger McDaniel, in his letter On early warning system (The Jakarta Post, Jan. 11) has a very good point with regard to why warnings or natural signs of a tsunami might be ignored.

Taking it a step further, one could envisage, in the Wild, Wild West of Indonesia, hoax warnings being made to facilitate looting or even military searches.

It is clear that advanced technology can do little to save lives within a primitive legal and administrative infrastructure. Once the survivors of the tsunami have been helped, foreign aid would be best utilized correcting this.

FRANK RICHARDSON
Norwich, UK