No New Year fireworks in Indonesia as the nation mourns Sumatra flood victims
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A local resident carrying relief supplies following a deadly flash flood in Batang Toru, South Tapanuli, in North Sumatra province on Dec 7.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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JAKARTA – Indonesia’s central government will support the plans of several regions to forgo fireworks while celebrating the New Year this week, in solidarity with the victims of recent floods on the island of Sumatra, an official in the president’s office said on Dec 29.
Several governments and police forces, including those in the capital, Jakarta, and on the popular tourist island of Bali, have said that they will not allow firework displays out of respect for the victims in Sumatra, where floods and landslides have killed more than 1,100 people, with around 400,000 still displaced.
Mr Prasetyo Hadi, spokesman for President Prabowo Subianto’s office, told reporters that the government believes it is correct for regional governments to ban fireworks or urge people not to set them off during the celebrations.
“It is correct because we have to show empathy and solidarity... as a nation, (acknowledging) that there are some who suffered from a disaster,” he said.
Police in Bali’s capital of Denpasar have banned New Year’s fireworks, state news agency Antara reported on Dec 27. Jakarta’s governor also said last week that there will be no firework displays in the city of 10 million people, urging residents not to set any off themselves.
The Indonesian authorities have built bridges and housing in the areas of Sumatra hit by the floods, which include the provinces of North Sumatra, West Sumatra and Aceh. The recovery is expected to cost at least US$3.11 billion (S$4 billion).
Several regions on the island remain in a state of emergency, Coordinating Minister for Human Development Pratikno said in a press conference on Dec 29.
More than 20 villages across the three provinces “disappeared” after being swept away by the floods, Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian said during the same briefing. REUTERS
