NU's anger over government's lack of attention to mudflow victims

Jakarta, NU Online
General Chairman of the Central Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) KH Hasyim Muzadi has expressed his anger over the government's lack of attention to the mudflow victims.

He suggested that so far the government had no seriousness to handle the mudflow in Sidoarjo, East Java, while at the same time "the victims' fate have remained unclear."<>

Hasyim did expect President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Vice President Yusuf Kalla to meet the mudflow victims directly. In return, both could witness the their sufferings.

"The victims have now been in depression phase. I do expect President and Vice President to directly meet them (mudflow victims)," Hasyim told reporter here Wednesday (20/6), adding both would be extremely worried over their fate.

The former Chairman of East Java's Regional Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PWNU) warned the government that the mudflow victims' condition was now really vulnerable. This condition should be immediately overcome.

At a certain point, he added, the government would meet unwanted impacts. "I'm worried this would be such anarchy (chaos) in such a way," Hasyim said, citing the condition could threaten the government.

Hasyim urged the government to soon handle the mudflow disaster especially how to meet the demands of the victims. Actually the favorable condition could be met if the government had commitment to handle it. (rif)