TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
Jokowi orders rebuilding of mosque destroyed by Aceh earthquake
Change Size
Showing solidarity – President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo (center, in white shirt) distributes books to children at a shelter during his visit to earthquake-torn areas in Pidie Jaya, Aceh, on Friday. (Courtesy of the Presidential Office/File)
P
resident Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has announced the government’s plan to rebuild the At-Taqarrub Grand Mosque in Keude village, Trienggadeng, Pidie Jaya regency, Aceh.
The mosque has been used as a temporary shelter for Pidie Jaya residents following the 6.4-magnitude earthquake on Wednesday, even though it sustained some damage itself.
“I’ve seen At-Taqarrub’s condition, and I’ve decided that this mosque will be rebuilt. We will work on it together. God willing, we will start to clean it up tomorrow and immediately rebuild it,” the President said on his visit to the earthquake-torn area on Friday, according to a press statement.
Jokowi and his entourage received a warm welcome from local residents on their visit. As soon as he arrived in the front yard of the mosque, dozens of children sang a famous Indonesian children’s song, with some lyrics replaced to express their admiration for the President.
“President Jokowi belongs to whom,
President Jokowi belongs to whom,
President Jokowi belongs to whom,
He belongs to Indonesian children.”
Addressing the children, Jokowi said they had to stay cheerful despite the difficulties they were facing because of the natural disaster.
“I do hope that you, all of my children, can stay enthusiastic about studying. You must keep enthusiastic to sing and you have to stay happy,” he told the children, accompanied by child counselor Seto Mulyadi. At the same location, Jokowi also handed over financial assistance to representatives of the families of earthquake victims.
Several Cabinet ministers accompanied the President on the trip. They included Health Minister Nila Moeloke, Public Works and Public Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung and Presidential Chief of Staff Teten Masduki. Indonesian Military commander Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo, National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian, National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) head Willem Rampangilei and acting Aceh Governor Soedarmo were also present. (ebf)
