Jakarta (Antara Bali) -- Vice President Jusuf Kalla has expressed appreciation for the performance of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) under the leadership of Syamsul Maarif.
"Yes, (the performance of Syamsul Maarif) is good, including his handling of earthquake in Central Java," Kalla said in response to press question at his office on Monday.
With the induction of Willem Rampangilei as the new Chief of BNPB, who will replace Syamsul Maarif, the Vice President hoped that the performance of BNPB will improve.
Kalla stressed that the replacement of the BNPB Chief had nothing to do with disaster management issues of thick smog stemming from forest fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan.
"It is not easy to handle natural disasters in Indonesia," Kalla pointed out.
Earlier on Monday, President Joko (Jokowi) Widodo had appointed Willem Rampangilei as Chief of BNPB.
Rampangilei was previously one of the deputies of the Coordinating Minister for Empowerment of Women and Culture. He has also been in-charge of Environmental Affairs and Social Security coordination.
Meanwhile, Rampangilei said Indonesia can be freed of the smog disaster through preventive measures, as well as community involvement.
"I am sure (Indonesia can be freed from smog disaster), but if you ask me how many years it will take, I cannot answer it because there are several reasons for the fire, among others are (the forests) being burnt by human beings," Rampangilei added. (WDY)
