We should see this as a precautionary effort since preparing for the worst is better than lack of preparations
Jakarta (ANTARA) - House of Representatives' (DPR's) speaker Puan Maharani called on the government to strengthen the mitigation system following the earthquakes that struck South Nias, North Sumatra, on Monday morning.

"Workers along with residents are expected to continue to conduct a survey to confirm the impact of the earthquakes," Maharani noted in her statement on Monday.

Maharani urged related workers to confirm the safety of residents after earthquakes struck South Nias.

The earthquakes can also be felt in several regions, such as Mentawai Islands, Gunungsitoli, as well as Padang, and Pariaman, West Sumatra.

Officials should also help in managing the residents' mental state that is affected by the earthquake, she remarked.

Maharani also requested the South Nias regional government as well as the regional governments around the area to prepare infrastructure as a precautionary measure against aftershocks.

"The BPBD (Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency) as well as the SAR team are expected to remain on standby," the speaker remarked.

"Even when the earthquakes will not trigger a tsunami, monitoring should be conducted, and workers should provide accurate information to the people," she affirmed.

Maharani underlined the importance of mitigation in future, and the government is expected to be one step ahead by preparing against all potential disasters.

All parties should keep an eye out for possibilities because, according to the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency's (BMKG's) statement, the earthquake in South Nias occurred in a megathrust zone for which mitigation should be bolstered.

"We should view this as a precautionary effort since preparing for the worst is better than the lack of preparations. We are optimistic that disasters that we are worried about will not occur," she remarked.

The speaker also urged the people to remain calm and not be influenced by unverified news.

Maharani appealed to them to continue to monitor the development from government-trusted institutions and to always be cautious.

Earlier, two earthquakes, with the first of 6.7 Magnitude (M) and the second of 6.0 M, occurred that were centered in South Nias on Monday morning.

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Translator: Imam B, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Sri Haryati
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