Denpasar, Bali (ANTARA News) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) ended his visit in Bali on Thursday flying to Aceh to inspect the process of humanitarian mission in the quake devastated district of Pidie Jaya.

The President aircraft took off at the International Airport of I Gusti Ngurah Rai, Denpasar at 15.00 local time.

The President and his entourage including a number of ministers are due to arrive at Sultan Iskandar Muda airport of Banda Aceh at 18.00 local time and would stay for the night in the Aceh capital city before proceeding to Pidie Jaya on Friday.

The president visited Bali with agenda to opened the 9th Bali Democracy Forum and to socialize the governments tax amnesty program in Denpasar.

In Bali, the president said he wanted the process of evacuation to be underway before he visited Pidie Jaya as his presence in that area earlier could only divert attention from the process.

He said the government has moved fast to do what have to do in quake hit areas and relief aid has been on the way to Pidie Jaya.

"I have sent order to the presidential staff, the military, health minister and the head of the BNPB to lend help. From hour to hour the death toll has continued to rise," he said.

The authorities said the quake with a magnitude of 6.5 on the Richter scale killed at least 95 people, many buried alive under the ruins of buildings that collapsed when it hit at 05.30 local time.

Pidie Jaya is only 18 kilometers from the quake epicenter on land.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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