Three Figures Comb Out t Gili Islands on a Helicopter

Tourism Minister Arief Yahya is currently in Palembang, South Sumatra. However it does not stop him from doing online-monitoring of the post-disaster situation in Lombok. He keeps updating foreign and domestic tourists who are connected to Lombok destinations, with the newest development.

Arief Yahya also ensures 3A, Access, Amenitas and Attractions are available. He considered the 3 aspects as the heart of a tourism destination. "Today, Wednesday, August 8, 2018, I’d like to greet 3 figures who went directly to Lombok and Gili Islands" said Arief Yahya.

The three are the Armed Forces General Commander Hadi Tjahjanto, National Police Chief General. Tito Karnavian, and Minister of Health Nila Djuwita F. Moeloek. "Thank you very much, today you have joined our team on Gili Trawangan, Gili Air and Gili Meno. They found and picked 66 tourists, 33 domestic and 33 foreign tourists left on the beautiful island, "said Tourism Minister Arief Yahya.

Today the 66th has also been transported to the island of Lombok, and hope there is nobody left behind. According to the report of the Center Crisis Team Chairman Guntur Sakti who is still in Lombok, there are 29 foreign tourists who have departed from Bangsal using the boat KMP Ganggari 189. They were heading to Padang Bai Bali Port at 13.30 Central Indonesia Time.

"I emphasize again here: It’s free of charge! Nobody should pay anything to be picked up and transported, "Arief Yahya said, clarifying a lot of confusing information about the shuttles provided the Indonesian government.

Even if there are still foreign nationals on Gili Islands, that's because they chose not to be evacuated. They guard their properties, such as resorts, restaurants and diving equipment. "Once again, thank you for the quick response in assisting the tourists on the islands," said Minister Arief Yahya.

Arief continues to coordinate with Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi, who also activated the help desk for foreigners with mobile number +6287864124151. "I check once again, the call center number works well, excellent service," said Arief Yahya many times.

From Tourist Information Center at Lombok Airport, Vinsensius Jemadu, Ministry of Tourism’s Deputy Director of Chinese Marketing Development - Deputy Marketing II, reported, the atmosphere has been back to normal, the airport is almost empty, it’s quiet.

The Head of the Lombok Tourism College, Hamsu, also reported that at Lombok Airport entertainment continued. Foreign tourists even sing along. The ambiance getting relaxed.
The food truck the Tourism College is also still standing by in the yard of the West Nusa Tenggara Tourism Board Office to serve foreign tourists who sare staying there for the night. The team is ready to assists whenever needed..

The Head of West Nusa Tenggara Tourism Board, Muhammad Faozal, reported that the last 4 foreign tourists who stayed at the office last night, are currently at LOP Airport.

The TCC team together with the Head of the West Nusa Tenggara Tourism Board Regional Office are now at Bangsal Port to coordinate with the crisis team to monitor and ensure that all tourists, foreign as well as domestic in the 3 Gilsi are safe.

Tourism Minister Arief Yahya appreciated the emergency response steps taken by the team. Solid, Speed, Smart, 3S, which has become the corporate culture of the Ministry."Disasters can occur anywhere, anytime, to anyone, and the most important aspect is the way of handling it," explained Arief Yahya.

"If everything is handled properly, and everyone involved to support, then everything becomes faster, lighter, and impactful,"he said.

Arief said the saying, a friend in need is a friend indeed. A friend who helps out when we are in trouble is a true friend! True friends are present when we need help! If we are there when they are in need, it will be remembered throughout their lives.

This morning, Indonesia Power Company in East Java and Bali BKO for Lombok were departed on Indonesian Navy boats to recover electricity on the Gilis.

The Indonesian National Police and Armed Forces are currently still on Gili Trawangan to make sure they have combed out the tourists while establishing the highest security in all tourist objects and vital objects (such as power plants, water, ATMs)