Waiting for KallaVice President Josef Kalla has been busy in his capacity as head of the National Disaster Management Co-ordinating Board. Yesterday he visited the families of those waiting in Makassar for news of their loved ones missing in the AdamAir plane crash. He also went to Surabaya to vist the survivors of the ferry disaster. His message to both groups was similar: the government will continue their searches for survivors and victims.
The messages he received were, sadly, also similar.
In Makassar, a relative was quoted by Reuters as saying: "
Ever since I've been here I haven't seen an atmosphere that a disaster has happened. I was tossed here and there. They didn't ask my name". Another pointed out that there is no information centre, no information, no TV and no health post.
In Surabaya, relatives told Kalla that for three days before his arrival they had felt neglected. "
When the Vice President came, Hartomo, the president of PT Prima Vista (the ship owner), who had never been around the families of the missing passengers, suddenly showed up. And at the hospital there is now a big sign that says 'Integrated Post for the Ship Sinking', along with a detailed information board and meals for the families."
These are big signs that many folk are incapable of making the decisions for which they are ultimately responsible. Doing nothing in a time of crisis does not make it go away; it only makes the situation worse.
Waiting for Kalla is callous.
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