While in the Blair House Washington DC, Monday (Oct 26), about 10:30 a.m. local time, the president rang up the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security affairs (Menkopolhukan) Luhut Binsar Panjaitan (monitoring the countrys situation).
"Just now, I rang up Menkopolhukan regarding the smog condition especially in Central Kalimantan and South Sumatra provinces as I received information that most hotspots occur in South Sumatra and Central Kalimantan," Jokowi said.
The number of hotspots in South Sumatra reached 146 points and in Central Kalimantan amounting to 366 points.
Therefore, the president added, he decided to cancel his trip to the West Coast.
"Due to many complaints from the public relating to health impacts and social impacts caused by smog, I decided to cancel my trip to the West Coast," he said.
President admitted that from time to time he monitored the development of smog disaster management as well in terms of health services that should run well.
"From here (U.S. we will) directly go to Central Kalimantan and South Sumatra, while the planned visit to the West Coast with regard to cooperation in information technology and the creative economy, I assigned the relevant ministers to continue to the West Coast to meet with CEOs," the president state.
Before leaving for the U.S. on Saturday (Oct 24) President Jokowi said he would continue monitoring the countrys situation while on an official visit to the United States over the next five days.
"I will monitor the social, political, law and security related conditions from minute to minute, hour to hour, day to day," Jokowi said at a press conference at the Halim Perdanakusumah Air Force base here, before departing for the United States on Saturday.
***4***
Reported by Hanni Sofia Soepardi
(B003/b003/B003)
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2015
