"I have asked for assessment to be continuously updated and evacuation plans made like when evacuating people during Merapi eruptions," he said at a cabinet meeting.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has asked the Indonesian embassy in Tokyo to prepare anticipatory measures in case the Japanese government extends its danger zone.

"I have asked for assessment to be continuously updated and evacuation plans made like when evacuating people during Merapi eruptions," he said at a cabinet meeting here on Thursday.

He said he kept monitoring the development in Japan including the imposition of a danger zone of 50 kilometer radius from the nuclear power plants in Fukushima.

"If the zone is extended to 100 kilometers we must evacuate up to 4,000 nationals. So prepare a contingency plan. Keep managing it," he said.

While on the one hand Indonesia is concentrating on the security of its nationals and preparing their evacuation he said Indonesia was ready to help Japan in case of an emergency.

"Besides that we would also help Japan like what it had done to us (when we experienced natural disasters)," he said.

The meeting was attended by Vice President Boediono and all members of the cabinet as well as the chief of the national police, the commander of the defense forces, the attorney general and other officials concerned.

The meeting that day discussed government working plans and 2012 indicate budget ceiling.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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