Syofiardi Bachyul Jb, Padang – As many as 1,903 families displaced by a landslide following the 2009 earthquake in West Sumatra continue to wait for direction before they are relocated under the government's transmigration program.
It has been two years since the plan was first drafted, but the expected realization by the local government is still on the horizon.
Most displaced people are now staying either at shelters or with relatives after their homes were leveled by the 7.9 magnitude quake on Sept. 30, 2009. The government has since declared the quake area a "red zone".
The evacuating shelters are located in several regencies and cities. Agam, Padang Pariaman and West Pasaman regencies are home to 793, 478 and 469 families respectively, while another 163 families are taking refuge in Padang municipality.
Five locations in three regencies have been designated for the victims' new homes, but the labor and transmigration agency says it can't yet ensure when construction work will begin. "We are still waiting for a permit from the Forestry Ministry to release between 4,500 and 5,000 hectares of forest, which will be converted into dwelling area. We don't know yet when the permit will be granted. We only hope that the process is not too bureaucratic," Labor and Transmigration Agency head Sofyan told The Jakarta Post over the weekend.
Although the relocation plan is designed to assist disaster victims, Sofyan said that proposals for the permit must follow procedure, just as in any normal business proposal.
While the number of families to be relocated is not yet fixed in certain regencies and municipalities still verifying data, the government has determined that each family will acquire two hectares of land for the new residential area, which will be equipped with public facilities.
"We hope to make final verification soon with regard that priority will be given to families whose homes and farmland were completely destroyed and those who are still staying at shelters," Sofyan said.
The quake killed 1,117 people, injured more than 2,500 others and damaged 135,448 homes.
Hopes for swift government action on transmigration plans have also come from Tanjung Sani district, Agam regency.
"The victims want assurance from the government over their homes after their residential area was designated as red zone. They feel uncertain about the future. They wish not to wait any longer," Tanjung Sani district head Satria said.
The district, located near Lake Maninjau, is home to 609 displaced families. As many as 175 are staying at shelters, while the remaining people are staying with relatives.
"They are still living on local government aid to meet their needs for rice and health services," he said.
A councilor called for ad hoc regulations to enable a shortcut in bureaucratic procedures.