PDIP deploys Baguna and health volunteers to NTT
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Secretary General of the PDI Perjuangan Central Executive Board Hasto Kristiyanto stated that party chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri has instructed the deployment of the Disaster Management Agency (Baguna) and health volunteers to assist victims of the 7.5 magnitude earthquake that struck the Flores region of East Nusa Tenggara.
Hasto said he and his entourage landed at Raja Sisingamangaraja XII Airport (Silangit) on Saturday and received a command telephone call from Chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri to immediately consolidate humanitarian assistance.
“As soon as we landed at Bumi Silangit, I received a call from PDI Perjuangan Chairwoman Ibu Megawati Soekarnoputri. She expressed her deepest concern and prayed for all the residents of Flores affected by the earthquake. On the direct instruction of the Chairwoman, all ranks of PDI Perjuangan are to immediately take gotong royong steps on the ground,” Hasto said in a written statement received in Jakarta on Saturday.
Following up on the order, Hasto explained that the movement of PDI Perjuangan’s disaster response fleet is led directly by Head of Baguna PDI Perjuangan Tri Rismaharini, accompanied by Ribka Tjiptaning who coordinates the health volunteer team.
“Today Ibu Tri Rismaharini is directly leading Baguna operations in the field, accompanied by Ibu Ribka Tjiptaning who is deploying all health volunteers. All DPD and DPC ranks of PDI Perjuangan throughout East Nusa Tenggara have been instructed to immediately take emergency disaster mitigation measures, establish public kitchens, and provide first aid to affected communities,” Hasto said.
Hasto emphasised that Megawati’s attention is also directed towards mothers and young children.
“Mothers and young children require special attention. From toddler food intake, medicines, to women’s specific needs. Not only that, Ibu Mega even prepared a special list of emergency response needs that was directly given to Bu Risma,” he said.
Before hundreds of community and religious leaders in Samosir, Hasto invited all participants of the gathering to observe a moment of silence and pray for the earthquake victims in NTT.
The affirmation of rapid action was also echoed by Djarot Saiful Hidayat when opening the National Gathering Forum in Samosir Regency. The event was held after the groundbreaking ceremony was completed.
Djarot recounted how Hasto Kristiyanto immediately postponed all casual agendas at the airport in order to directly instruct DPP and DPD ranks to mobilise disaster assistance.
“The Secretary General, upon landing, immediately received direction from the Chairwoman regarding the earthquake in NTT. He even skipped enjoying coffee, and instead directly called DPP and regional officials to check reports and mobilise assistance. This is the consistent humanitarian political tradition taught by PDI Perjuangan. Politics is not merely about competing for power or maintaining power by manipulating rules, but rather how we are present quickly to help our brothers and sisters affected by disaster and to attend to humanity,” Djarot asserted.
He stressed that the presence of religious leaders in this gathering serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining national unity within the framework of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika.
“We are one nation. There must be no religious or ethnic egoism. We must respect and appreciate one another (all for all, one for all). Through this National Gathering that we begin from Samosir, let us strengthen brotherhood, nurture tolerance, and continue to work together in defending the common people,” said Djarot Saiful Hidayat.
Djarot added that the existence of Baguna as a special disaster management body makes PDI Perjuangan always ready to be deployed in any emergency condition across the archipelago, in line with the party’s commitment to always stand united and share both tears and laughter with the people.
Also present at the gathering were the ranks of PDIP North Sumatra led by Chairman Rapidin Simbolon and Secretary Sutarto. Hasto and Djarot were also accompanied by Johanes Oberlin Tobing, Guntur Romli, and Aryo Seno Bagaskoro.