PRESIDENT DISCUSSES DISASTER-HANDLING PROGRAM WITH MINISTERS

Jakarta, Oct 6 (ANTARA) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono held a meeting with a number of his ministers at his Presidential office on Monday afternoon to discuss the continuation of disaster handling efforts.

The meeting was started at 15 pm was attended by a number of ministers, among others Home Affairs Minister Mardiyanto, Foreign Affairs Minister Hassan Wirjajuda, Social Affairs Minister Bachtiar Chamsah and Health Minister Siti Fadila Supari.

Also present was Public Works Minister Djoko Kirmanto along with National Development Planning Minister / Head iof National Development Planning Board (Bappenas) Paskah Suzetta and a number of other state officials.

Indonesia in the last several months has been affected by a number of natural disasters, particularly earthquakes, among others in Tasikmalaya in West Java which killed at least 100 victims.

A powerful earthquake also devastated Padang, provincial capital of West Sumatra last week, killing at least 600 people and left more than 300 missing.

The recent earthquake in West Sumatran also destroyed 21,732 houses, caused heavy damage to 6,721 homes and minor damage to 9,572 others.

A number of hotels, restaurants and their supporting facilities were also destroyed. Of the 47 star-rated hotels in West Sumatra, 24 were damaged, of which 11 were destroyed and could no longer be used. Among those destroyed were the Ambacang, Rocky Plaza, Mariani, Nuasa and Hayam Wuruk hotels.