"We continue to encourage the community and regional governments that they must have a program to strengthen the houses that are currently being built," Suharyanto remarked at the 2023 Disaster Kaleidoscope and 2024 Disaster Outlook in Jakarta on Friday.
It is deemed essential for the construction of houses in Indonesia, especially in Java, to start being oriented towards earthquake resistance, considering that the recent 4.8-magnitude earthquake in Sumedang, West Java, turned out to cause destruction to people's houses.
"We thought it would not be a problem, but it turned out that when we arrived there (in Sumedang), many (houses) were damaged," he remarked.
He noted that the structures of houses of most people in Java, such as in Central Java, East Java, and West Java, are not disaster-resistant despite those regions having the potential for earthquakes, with relatively high magnitude.
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Suharyanto explained that building structures that are not earthquake-resistant raise the potential for greater loss of life, considering that fatalities in the earthquake are caused by being hit by collapsed buildings.
"The fatalities are caused by the collapse of houses (due to earthquakes), resulting in injuries and deaths," he remarked.
Furthermore, the BNPB head urged the Jakarta provincial government to ensure buildings with seven floors and less are earthquake-resistant, as those with over seven floors are already earthquake-resistant.
"We have also spoken to the governor (of Jakarta) to strengthen buildings with seven floors and below. They most likely cannot withstand earthquakes," he remarked.
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Translator: Astrid Faidlatul, Raka Adji
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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