Volcanic Ash Threatens, Suhud Urges Jakarta Residents Not to Panic

Jakarta City Council Chairman Suhud Alynudin is urging residents not to panic over eruptive activity at Anak Krakatau in the Sunda Strait, while stressing that caution must not be reduced.

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The most important thing is to remain calm, but do not reduce your vigilance. People need to follow the directions of the relevant authorities and ensure that the information they receive comes from reliable sources.

Suhud said residents should follow developments through official government and relevant-authority channels. He urged families to prepare for a possible emergency by agreeing on a safe place to go, writing down important phone numbers and choosing a recognizable meeting point.

He said such planning is especially important when family members are in different locations. Everyone should know the evacuation routes, where to gather and whom to contact in an emergency.

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From now on, families need to sit together and make a simple plan. Agree on a safe place to move to if necessary, write down and store important numbers so they do not disappear during an emergency, and choose a safe, easily recognizable meeting point.

Suhud also called on the Jakarta provincial government to strengthen information distribution down to the neighborhood level. He said fast, clear and verified information could help prevent panic and allow residents to make appropriate decisions.

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All family members must know where to go, whom to contact and where to gather. Preparedness must start at home.

He welcomed the Jakarta Education Agency’s decision to introduce distance learning as a precautionary measure. “Human safety is more important than anything,” Suhud said, urging residents to remain calm, increase vigilance, look after one another and follow government instructions.

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Human safety is more important than anything. Let us remain calm, apply the 5M, increase vigilance, look after one another and follow government instructions.