Hopefully, this assistance would ease the burden (of the residents), and the weather will soon become better. Thus, transportation activity will return to normal.
Semarang, C Java (ANTARA) - State-run ferry operator PT Pelni (Persero) distributed five thousand aid packages of basic commodities for residents in Karimunjawa Islands, Jepara District, Central Java Province, who were caught in bad weather and high waves.

The basic need packages comprising five kilograms (kg) of rice, one kg of sugar, and one liter of cooking oil each were transported by PT Pelni’s Motor Vessel (MV) Kelimutu from Tanjung Emas Port, here, on Friday evening.

Disbursement of aid was initiated by the Tanjung Emas Port Authority and Harbormaster Office in collaboration with several port stakeholders as well as state-owned and private companies.

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Deployment of the ship was witnessed by Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy, Governor of Central Java Ganjar Pranowo, General Director of PT Pelni Tri Andayani, Director of state-owned port operator PT Pelindo Prasetyo, as well as Chief of Central Java Regional Police Inspector General Ahmad Lutfi.

Andayani stated that the provision of assistance is aimed at helping Karimunjawa residents facing a shortage of basic food supplies due to bad weather that had disrupted logistics routes to the islands.

"The people of Karimunjawa depend on logistics supplies from Semarang that can only be sent by sea. Thank God, it is still possible for the Pelni ship to continue serving (the people in) Karimunjawa and Semarang," she remarked.

The aid is planned to arrive in Karimunjawa Islands and immediately be distributed to residents in need on Saturday.

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"Hopefully, this assistance would ease the burden (of the residents), and the weather will soon become better. Thus, transportation activity will return to normal," the PT Pelni general director added.

Earlier, on December 27, 2022, MV Kelimutu was also deployed to evacuate 361 domestic tourists and 69 foreign tourists caught in bad weather in Karimunjawa Islands since December 23, 2022.

The tourists were successfully evacuated by joint officers and arrived safely at Tanjung Emas Port on December 28, 2022.

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Translator: Wisnu Nugroho, Uyu Liman
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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