KALLA: IMPROVE ENVIRONMENT TO ADDRESS JAKARTA FLOODS

Pekanbaru, Riau, Feb. 13 (ANTARA) - Chairman of the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) Jusuf Kalla has called for improvement of the environment to address floods in Jakarta.

"The point is to deal with the environmental problem. So, address the upstream strictly," PMI Chairman Jusuf Kalla said on the plane flaying over Pekanbaru, Riau, Saturday.

Kalla on his way to Bangka Belitung, made the statement commenting the flash flood which hit Bogor, Bekasi and Jakarta on Friday evening and in the wee hours of Saturday.

"In fact, regional governments must address the environmental problems strictly," he said.

Kalla recalled that when he was vice president, he had instructed the regional governments to improve the environment especially around river basin areas, and to build new dams to accommodate water.

Jakarta, as the capital city, must be clean and has good drainage to prevent flood, according to the former vice president.

He said PMI was always ready to send relief aid to flood victims.

Bogor, Bekasi and Jakarta were affected by flash floods on Friday evening and Saturday morning following incessant heavy rains in Bogor (known as 'the city of rains) on Friday afternoon.