"The determination is based on the powerful earthquake and devastating tsunami in Aceh on December 26, 2004, that claimed hundreds of thousands of lives," Djamil remarked here on Tuesday.
According to Djamil, the decision to declare Dec 26 as a national holiday and day for disaster preparedness is a form of empathy and sympathy as well as the government`s recognition of the Indonesian people, who bore the brunt of the earthquake and tsunami disaster in Aceh.
"The disaster at the end of 2004 also devastated homes, property, buildings, bridges, roads, and other physical structures," he pointed out.
In addition, he said the annual national holiday on Dec 26 as a day of disaster preparedness will remind the people of Indonesia that the country is located in the "Ring of Fire," with a potential to experience frequent earthquakes and tsunamis at any time.
Djamil stated that by declaring Dec 26 a national holiday and a day of disaster preparedness, Indonesia will strive to prepare facilities and infrastructure and human resources, especially presenting an early warning system for the earthquake and tsunami, and continually disseminating information to the community to be aware of the disaster.
The member of the DPR Commission III added that making Dec 26 as a national holiday and day for disaster preparedness can be followed up by including disaster awareness education from early childhood to high school level.
"If necessary, all state universities in Indonesia will start education programs on disasters," he added.
Reporting by Muhammad Ifdhal, Otniel Tamindael
Editing by Sri Haryati
Reporter: Antara
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
