Jakarta (AsiaNews) Following many false alarms and rumours about earthquakes and tsunamis sent via SMS and e-mail, Indonesian authorities have decided to bring things back to normal and allay fears by organising natural disasters drills in the cities and along the coastline.
Today for example was the turn of the villages near the city of Malang (East Java). "After the exercises people won't panic," said Camat Suprihadiono, a local official.
Some 250 people took part in the simulation which involved the Indonesian Red Cross, the association Radio Operator and members of the local security forces and civil protection agency (Linmas). Officials from other Malang sub-districts attended as observers.
Camat Suprihadiono explained that the exercises were designed to show people how to move quickly to higher elevations and how to recognise in the sudden drop in sea level the sign of a pending tsunami caused by an earthquake.
White collar workers from Jakarta's skyscrapers took part in other exercises. Until a few days ago they were still refusing to work at their desk fearing a quake and waited for a full day out in the open.
The simulation entailed sirens, followed by the evacuation of buildings through emergency exists. Car traffic was banned from the exercise area.
At the same time, the Nahdlatul Ulama, the country's largest Muslim organisation, told kiai or spiritual leaders to warn people against the danger of false alarms spread via SMS and help those in fear.