Pasca-Earthquake: Poor Family in Bengkulu Increase…

Pasca-Earthquake: Poor Family in Bengkulu Increase…
Pasca-earthquake: Poor Family in Bengkulu Increase
Achmad Zulkani

Earthquake with power 7.9 scale Richter in Bengkulu had two weeks ago passed. But, condition didn’t much changed because since first day earthquake until 6 days emergency perceptive period ended scream Bengkulu citizen, especially earthquake victims, still give same voice, which was food distribution wasn’t smooth yet. Citizen fear also increased because continuation earthquake kept swayed this “Rafflesia Earth ".
Moreover, after emergency perceptive period ended, next step that must be faced was recovery period. After that, all part must be ready to step on to do rehabilitation all infrastructure damage, not only citizen house, social facility, as well as public facilities.
Pasca-Earthquake handling in Province Bengkulu since the beginning had been reaped critic. Oblique sound started from inexistence of Governor Bengkulu Agusrin Maryono Najamuddin when disaster because was visiting Unite State of America. The peak was accusation toward victim data collecting that was valued very slow.

That accusation climax was closed by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono with sentence: victim data, building damage and necessity of various kind of necessity substance must be as soon as possible verificated. "I had 3 years experience take care on disaster," said President accused data that was applied by Governor Agusrin.
But, starter step handled disaster, which was emergency perceptive, until now wasn’t finished done yet. Whereas, all part must be remember in short time there will be recovery period that must be planned.
One problem that will be appear pasca-earthquake, like was admitted by Chief on Village Society Empowerment Institution Province Bengkulu Bahrullah Abbas, was threaten of the increasing of the number of poor family. “Poor family will be dame more buried, while that previously in float of poverty will be fall to poverty. Income that they have plan for daily necessity, some week in front must be put for house rehabilitation. Whereas, mostly earthquake victim was farmer and fisherman that life was difficult," he said.
Poor family data that was recorded for previous time was 183.931 families or 46% from 396.341 families. With number of population around 1.7 million, poor family in Province Bengkulu at least could be predicted more than 700.000 souls. Number that really made sad because pasca-earthquake the number was predicted increased with thousands poor family.

Among 7 regency and 1 city in Province Bengkulu, poor family mostly recorded in Regency North Bengkulu (43.761 family). There was also the most serious condition of earthquake damaged. From 18 sub district in North Bengkulu, 17 among them directly impacted with serious damaged level. The only one sub district that was slipped away from disaster was Enggano, an island that had distance 90 sea miles from Bengkulu City.

Bahrullah that in daily grasped as Implementer Chief Coordination Team Poverty Elimination Province Bengkulu admitted worry how must helped earthquake victim built again their house. For data collecting in this area they had been tired, how they could help built again the house that was damaged because of earthquake.
"It had been two years poor family data in Bengkulu didn’t improve. We didn’t have fund because APBD Province Bengkulu couldn’t expensed re-data collecting. Poverty number that was published Bengkulu now was collecting data result on period March-June 2005," he said.
APBD Province Bengkulu fund this year Rp 700 billion. But, mostly was allocated for routine fund, such as employee payment and functionary official journey.
"Bengkulu didn’t need to be worry because this area won’t let walk alone. Central government will be help because what they endure now is disaster. Because of that, I still feel sure pasca-earthquake we sill be able to back although in slow pace," said Governor Bengkulu Agusrin.
In west area of Indonesia

Economically, Bengkulu truly was left if it was compared with other province in Sumatra. Weak investment level, even like was admitted by Leader of Bank Indonesia Bengkulu Syarifuddin Basara, Jumat (21/9), on 2006 yearly investment grew negative with modal creation constant gross domestic reduce 3.52% (based constants price).

Productivity level in Bengkulu also low. Gross Regional Domestic Income (PDRB) this area was also dominated with agriculture sector (40.07%) with labor force spare in this sector 68.39%. On 2006, PDRB per capita Bengkulu Rp 4.678.456, which was on paper really increase than on 2005 Rp 3.904.051.

Moreover was further observed, actually without earthquake Bengkulu economy was really susceptible. Because, this area economy only put on agriculture sector. Nature condition that wasn’t conducive, the long period of dry season, as example, exactly gave an impact to economy growing. On 2006 Bengkulu economy growing was recorded 5.94%, increased 1% 2005 that was only 5.85%.

"Bengkulu really far left compared than other area. In metaphor, we are east area of Indonesia that was accidentally located in west. This Bengkulu was poorest," said Bengkulu official every time they were met with central official.

Expression that was always said repeatedly as if became correction in order that Bengkulu always be pitied. Whereas, although sources and finance ability of area was limited, properly ex-resident South Sumatra that was legalized as province on 18th November 1968 not always be a crybaby.

Trace of History
If want to see history, Bengkulu in the beginning was England colony. By England General Governor Thomas Stamford Raffles, this area then was exchanged with Malacca peninsula (now Singapore).

Not clear enough right or not that was on Raffles though on 1824. Maybe because he had been read future of this area that really didn’t prospective. Not clear also why Dutch colonizer that time wanted to let Malacca peninsula to be exchange with Bengkulu. Beside united area practical consideration, maybe Dutch also saw potency of coffee and black pepper.

Anything, history had recorded. Bengkulu that since colonial was known as one of coffee and black pepper producer based on London Treaty (1824) was really hand over from England to Dutch. Since that time, General Governor Raffles that was in command in Bengkulu on 1818-1824 then left that area to build power in Singapore. Bengkulu that was often gave name "Rafflesia Earth" (because here was founded many flower Rafflesia Arnoldi) until now like kept sink with its past.

History really couldn’t be denied. Compared with other province in Indonesia, Bengkulu fate like was really not lucky. Its geographic position that was in west coast with completely limited access made this area like difficult to come up. Moreover, Bengkulu was consider didn’t attractive for big scale investment.

Further result, Bengkulu forcedly built with totally relied on fund from central. Without that, this area likely would keep sinking. Because, from natural resources sector especially oil and gas that was often became one of measure standard as “rich” area, Bengkulu so far didn’t had arouse interest back up.

But, its status as poor area, unlucky geographic position, and limited of APBD actually shouldn’t became reason for Bengkulu to totally fell asleep pasca-earthquake. If all component of this area was optimistic, it could be Bengkulu was came up although must be wobbly....