HUNDREDS OF The victims of the earthquake, tsunami and liquefaction disaster in Palu, Sigi Regency, and Donggala gathered at Vatulemo Field in Palu on Monday (11/3/2019), demanding their rights to be immediately fulfilled by the government.
At least 14 demands will be submitted to the Governor of Central Sulawesi or other officials (see box).
The Congress Coordinator, Yusrin L Banna, confirmed that the congress activities were aspirations from all the disaster forums in Central Sulawesi. This is the starting point of a struggle in community civil rights. “There is no local government authority in regulating its own territory. The decision is always held by the central government,” he said.
Chairman of the Pasigala Debtor Forum, Andono Wibisono revealed that the Governor of Central Sulawesi’s letter dated 26 February 2019 regarding the postponement of the debts of victims of the three-year disaster by the Bank and Leasing to this day was not responded to by the related parties. The governor must account for the letter.
“The contents of the letter stated that the decision was the result of two meetings with the OJK. The Governor of Central Sulawesi had instructed the Bank to postpone the victim’s debt for three years, and Leassing six months,” he said.
But what happened in the field, the relevant parties did not heed the letter. By him, the struggle is not over. The plan said Andono will bring direct demands to the President of the Republic of Indonesia.
The Petobo community representative, Ista Nur Masyita revealed that the community rejected the Stimulant fund disbursement mechanism using a Community Group (Pokmas) pattern such as in Lombok. According to her, the pattern is very ineffective. Because the mechanism is complicated and long-winded. Such as withdrawal of funds through the Pokmas account. After that, residents need to spend on building houses affected by natural disasters.
“Is the government suspicious of disaster victims in using the stimulant funds?. The mechanism of stimulant fund disbursement is very complicated and long-winded. It is as if the people will commit corruption against the funds,” she concluded.
The Head of the Palu BPBD, Presley Tampubolon representing the city government explained that since the September 28 natural disaster, the government had made every effort in providing its services to the public. Logistics for people in refugees, said Presley, use regional budget funds. After that, it will continue with a life allowance from the Ministry of Social Affairs.
The assessment was conducted to verify and re-validate houses damaged by natural disasters in the city of Palu. So that clarification can be made of heavily damaged, medium and light houses. It is also a provision from the central government. By him he hopes that the community together in supporting all existing problems. So that everything can go well.**
Reporter: Firmansyah Lawawi
