Dial 112 To Replace All Emergency Numbers in Jakarta

Minister of  Communications and Information Technology, Rudiantara, said that other emergency service numbers, such as, 119 for ambulance and 164 for disaster preparedness, will no longer be in use. All emergency numbers will be migrated to 112 with a toll-free rate. "This is a form of government’s concern to the community.  Eventually, the people do not need to memorize the emergency numbers such as for ambulance and firefighter, just 112," said Minister Rudiantara at Jakarta City Hall, Thursday (2/11).

 

This number, he said, will not only be used in Jakarta, but also across Indonesia. For the time being, this new collaboration is conducted with Jakarta only. "It will be disseminated to schools. So the children will also know that if there is a disaster or urgent need, they can call 112,” he said.

 

However, he added, the 112 service number has not been able to be used at this time, because it is waiting for the Presidential Regulation (Perpres) related to the implementation of the emergency service number.

 

In addition, the MCIT and the Jakarta Government also launched SMS service for disaster early warning. The messages will only be sent to the subscribers who are located in disaster prone areas. "It can be tailored according to the needs of the local government, for example, for flooding warning in Jakarta. The messages will only be sent to residents around the Ciliwung river," Mr. Rudiantara said.

 

Meanwhile, the Jakarta Governor, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, urged all related local government offices to be better equipped to anticipate disaster. "I believe this will be beneficial if Jakarta Provincial Government prepares well. Especially for the operators, they should act quickly,” he said.

 

Chief Executive of Jakarta’s Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Denny Wahyu Haryanto, added that this 112 single number service can be used if residents experience things related to security, emergency, and convenience and safety issues, e.g., ambulance, boat, logistic, disaster, the police. It can also be used to get the water level information and  other disaster-related informations.

 

This BPBD-managed service is called "Jakarta Siaga 112” Call Center. The service number which is accessible from all operators is free of charge. The 112 service will replace the 164 disaster call centre which has been operational up to now.

 

However, the 112 call center service is still waiting for the completion of the Presidential Decree as the legal enforcer. When it is enacted, the 112 call center service will be launched. (Translator: Erik Limantara)