Specific law needed to boost relief operation: House
Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The House of Representatives has urged the government to draft a bill on disaster mitigation as the country is prone to natural disasters such as landslides, floods and earthquakes.
House Speaker Agung Laksono said that the bill was crucial to help ensure better coordination in carrying out emergency relief operations in the aftermath of a disaster.
"If the government is not ready, House leaders will instruct House factions to take the initiative and deliberate the bill," he said at the inauguration of three legislators: Ali Mubarak, Abdul Hamid Wahid, and Asfihani, here on Monday.
The three legislators replace Alwi Shihab and Syaifullah Yusuf of the National Awakening Party (PKB), and Taufiq Effendi of the Democratic Party who serve as ministers in the current Cabinet.
The suggestion comes following the Dec. 26 tsunami catastrophe, which ravaged Aceh and some areas of North Sumatra and killed over 166,000 people. The government was initially criticized for its poor coordination in handling the emergency relief operation, as many survivors did not receive aid until several days after the disaster.
A presidential decree, issued in 2001, led to the establishment of the National Coordinating Board for Refugees and Disaster Mitigation (Bakornas PBP).
Though, according to Agung, the presidential decree was not sufficient to cope with several post-disaster issues.
The lack of a comprehensive legal basis has been blamed for poor coordination among related offices during emergency relief operations in Aceh.
Urgently needed food aid and medical supplies for tsunami survivors was reportedly left stranded at airports for days on several occasions.
"We need to anticipate future disasters through the preparation of a specific law. It will regulate the obligations of the government and the rights of displaced people. If possible, the government has to set up an early warning system in disaster-prone areas," he added.
The endorsement of a law on disaster mitigation is expected to force the government to fulfill its responsibilities in emergency relief operations.
Agung said he hoped the drafting of a bill on disaster mitigation would be included on the list of priority bills for deliberation in this year's working period.
The House's Legislation Body (Baleg) and the government have been debating which bills are a priority.
Muhammad AS Hikam, chairman of Baleg, disclosed recently that his team would finish its discussion on Feb.1.
According to him, the government and the Regional Representatives Council (DPD) have submitted 60 and 40 bills respectively, while House legislators have prepared 50 bills.
Hikam emphasized that the public would be invited to provide input during the law-making process, a move that is expected to reduce the number of controversial laws, which in the past have been taken to the Constitutional Court for review.