Minister denies govt slow in handling Wasior flood disaster

Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare denied allegations Saturday that the government has been slow in handling the flood emergency in Wasior, West Papua.

“Since the beginning (of the emergency) the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has deployed officers to the area and coordinated the emergency response,” Agung said as quoted by Antara during a visit at the flood-stricken area.

The government has suggested that illegal logging has been a causal factor in the devastation brought by the deadly flooding that have claimed more than 100 lives.

“We will investigate whether it was purely force majeure or was illegal logging caused the flooding, “ Agung said.

Agung visited the affected areas together with Social Affairs Minister Salim Segaf Al Jufri.