'Early warning system badly needed'

United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan and world leaders met in a special summit on tsunami relief in Jakarta, harnessing efforts to cope with the disaster that has left at least 150,000 people dead across Asia. The Jakarta Post asked Jakartans what went through their mind when they learned about the devastating calamity.

Asri, 26, is a shop attendant in Kalibata Mall, South Jakarta. She lives in a rented room in Cawang, East Jakarta:

I could not believe that the natural disaster could have swept through a major part of Aceh and killed so many people.

As an archipelagic country like Japan, I think we should have been better prepared for earthquakes and tidal waves.

Even if we have the information and technology to avoid losing so many lives in so short a time, I'm not sure that the government would prioritize the safety of the people over their own political interests in the wake of the election year in 2004.

The only good thing we can learn from this tragedy is that we all realize just how fragile the country is and an early warning system is badly needed.

Oni Setiawan, owns restaurants in Cempaka Putih, Central Jakarta and Utan Kayu, East Jakarta. He lives with his wife and daughter in Cempaka Putih:

What I regret most is that we have neglected the importance of training and emergency drills to prepare for natural disasters. I recall that in my days in elementary school in Yogyakarta during the tenure of president Soeharto students were all familiar with emergency drills. I think such an effort would be an effective means to minimize greater casualties.

In the recent tragedy, we witnessed that the government and people were confused and in a state of panic. Everything looked so poorly organized. They neglected to prioritize transportation of humanitarian aid and relief workers so that the victims could be quickly assisted.

Anyway, if I look on the bright side, the tragedy has brought all people, regardless of race and religion, together to work for the speedy recovery of Aceh and North Sumatra.

-- The Jakarta Post