PRESIDENT : EMERGENCY RESPONSE FUNDS MUST BE DISBURSED IMMEDIATELY

Pariaman, Oct 2 (ANTARA) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said the government's emergency response funds amounting to Rp100 billion for the Padang earthquake should be disbursed immediately without bureaucratic hassle.

The president made the remark when he gave directives during his observation of the disaster command post at Pariaman City Hall here on Friday.

President Yudhoyono said expedience was an important factor in carrying out an emergency response to handle a natural disaster.

"The Rp100 billion funds should flow smoothly. There should be no bureaucratic hindrance. Expedience is important as this is an emergency situation," he said.

He said although bureaucracy should not hamper the channeling of the funds, there should be no misappropriation and the money should be used as designated.

"The funds must be used in accordance with their designation and there should be no misappropriation anywhere because anybody misusing the funds will be committing a great sin and deserves hell," he said.

But he also asked that the people should not easily become suspicious of the government with regard to the use of the funds.

He said Rp100 billion should be used to finance activities in safeguarding the life of the victims over a two-month period.

But if the emergency response could be finished in less than two months, the rehabilitation and reconstruction phases could be started soon with more funds the amount of which would be decided later, the president said.

The president was giving directives to regional government officials, including the provincial governor and mayors/district heads. He asked them to work directly in the field and observe regions affected by the earthquake.

On the occasion, Yudhoyono also suggested that a feasibility standard rule for building construction should be formulated and applied in the construction of storeyed buildings in earthquake- and other disaster-prone regions,
On Wednesday, Padang city was shattered by a magnitude-7.6 earthquake which killed at least 448 people.