President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono gave no trace of fatigue following his arrival from a trip to the US as he led a meeting on post-disaster mitigation work in the quake-hit city of Padang on Thursday.
The President called for extra efforts in searching for people who might have been trapped under flattened buildings, to save as many lives as possible.
“I ask for measures to rescue as many victims as possible,” Yudhoyono said after the meeting.
“Save those who we can help, and don’t stop after 10 days or two weeks, because those who are trapped under the rubble can survive longer.”
First Lady Ani Yudhoyono and several Cabinet ministers also attended the meeting at the governor’s official residence.
The President called on the state electricity company PLN to repair power lines and resume power supplies to the city. He also ordered state oil and gas company Pertamina to make sure fuel stocks were adequate.
The government has allocated Rp 100 billion in emergency funding to cover the humanitarian operation, which will last two months.
“I’m here to make sure the [emergency response] system works properly,” the President said.
“I will be here until tomorrow afternoon.”
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