JAKARTA (Yosefardi) – President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) and First Lady Ani Yudhoyono are today scheduled to visit the victims of eruption of Mount Sinabung in Karo, North Sumatera for 3 days.
North Sumatra Information and Communications Agency head Jumsadi Damanik explained the President would see the latest condition of volcano and residents evacuated to shelters.
Jumsadi also added SBY and his entourage will stay overnight at the presidential tent at Jalan Irian, Kaban Jahe.
In a different place, the Head of the National Agency for Natural Disaster Mitigation (BNPB) Sutopo Purwo Nugroho denied rumor saying that the presidential tent costs for Rp15 billion. He said the cost only reaches Rp60 million per unit of tent.
At least 1,500 security personnel from both the police and military are reportedly deployed to safeguard the visit.
The volcano has erupted for the first time on Sep. 13, 2013 and continues to erupt in the last four months, killed 16 residents and displaced 26,000 residents. (haryantos@yosfardi.biz)