Asia-Pacific
Viewpoints
The World Marks the Tsunami Anniversary
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An Indian Tsunami survivor in Nagapattinam lights up a lamp to pay homage to the victims of last year's tsunami. In the background: a poster showing a photograph of the disaster. (Photo: Dibyangshu Sarkar / AFP-Getty Images) |
On Dec. 26, 2004, a magnitude-9 earthquake ruptured the sea floor off Indonesia's Sumatra Island, sending 30-foot waves roaring at jetliner speeds across the Indian Ocean that crashed into seaside communities in a dozen countries.
JAKARTA — Tempo (Independent), Indonesia, Dec. 27: Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has promised to continuously rebuild Aceh and Nias, which were hit by the tsunami disaster last year, until both regions are fully recovered … According to the President, one of the important post-tsunami points was the realization of the peace agreement between the Indonesian government and the Free Aceh Movement (G.A.M.). The agreement that was signed in Helsinki, Finland, on Aug. 14, brought an end to the period of conflict. "The period of peace in Aceh means that everyone can look towards the future," stated Yudhoyono.
BEIJING — Xinhua News Agency (Government-owned), China, Dec. 27: The Malaysian government has declared Dec. 26 each year as the country's national Disaster Awareness Day to caution people of the risks of natural disasters and urged them to be proactive against the disasters, local newspapers said on Tuesday. The government hoped that the move could create enhanced awareness among Malaysians so that they could be constantly prepared and proactive in facing and overcoming natural disasters, Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak was quoted as saying. The government chose this date because Malaysia had been hit by several disasters in the past on this day, he added. On Dec. 26, 2004, a disastrous tsunami, which claimed more than 200,000 lives in a dozen countries around the Indian Ocean, also reached some states in northern Malaysia, killing 68 people on the Malaysian Peninsula. On Dec. 26, 1996, powerful Storm Greg hit Malaysia's eastern state of Sabah, leaving more than 100 people dead and many houses and properties damaged. From Dec. 18 until Dec. 27, 2005, several states in northern Malaysia were struck by floods, which were believed to be the worst in some states in the country over the past 30 years. More than 10 people have been killed by the floods in the past days, although the situation has improved significantly.
LONDON — The Guardian (Liberal), England, Dec. 27: Indonesia's Aceh rebels formally disbanded their armed wing today, effectively ending their 30-year separatist insurgency one year after the Indian Ocean tsunami destroyed their battlefield … Under the peace accord, the government has agreed to withdraw its troops from Aceh by the end of this year, grant the province broad autonomy and to allow former rebels to stand in the elections. The rebels agreed to disarm and disband … The two sides met yesterday as the world marked one year since the tsunami crashed into the coastlines of a dozen countries on the Indian Ocean's rim, leaving at least 216,000 dead or missing — more than 156,000 of them in Aceh. Mr. Yudhoyono, in a speech marking the anniversary, said the tsunami had afforded a "golden opportunity" to end the conflict and suggested the peace deal was "an example of how a new hope for peace can emerge out of the ruin of destruction."
JAKARTA — Jakarta Post (Independent), Indonesia, Dec. 27: While inaugurating Rumah Anak Madani rehabilitation center for Aceh tsunami and Nias earthquake victims in Deli Serdang regency in North Sumatra on Sunday, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said he would continue to assist and pay attention to the plight of affected children so they could achieve their goals and grow up to be some of the nation's best sons and daughters. He insisted that it was the government's duty to see that the children, who lost loved ones in the disasters, realize their dreams. "It is the duty of all of us, lest they lose their future. Don't let them lose the chance to develop and become the nation's best sons and daughters. I invite everyone to see and step toward the future for the sake of the children," he said.
DOHA — Al Jazeera (English-language), Qatar, Dec. 26: The day's solemn commemorations began in Indonesia, where President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono led an emotional ceremony with a minute's silence to remember the 168,000 people killed in his country's ravaged Aceh province. "Let us now bow our heads in silence to pray for the souls of hundreds of thousands who lost their lives," he said on the outskirts of Banda Aceh near the Ulee Lheu mosque, the only building left standing in the obliterated area. People prayed at mass graves for children swept away by the tsunami, walked on beaches battered by the waves and attended prayers at mosques, temples and churches.
COLOGNE — Deutsche Welle (International broadcaster), Germany, Dec. 26: Tearful mourners from around the world gathered Monday to light candles and offer prayers on the anniversary of the Indian Ocean tsunami, one of the deadliest natural disasters ever. From Indonesia to Sweden, on beaches or in homes, at mosques and in churches, survivors and relatives remembered the more than 220,000 people killed when the waves slammed into a dozen countries one year ago … In southern Thailand, where some 5,400 Thais and foreign holiday-makers were killed, mourners signed books of remembrance or tossed flowers into the sea as they gathered along the battered beaches where their loved ones died … Sri Lanka's president attended a ceremony that paid tribute to an estimated 31,000 people who perished along the country's coastline … In India, where more than 10,700 people were killed and 5,600 others are listed as missing, survivors offered tearful tributes. In Malaysia, hundreds traveled to beaches of the resort island of Penang to pray for the victims. Relatives and friends of the 68 people killed by the tsunami here lit candles and scattered flowers into the sea … Sweden, which suffered more deaths in the Indian Ocean tsunami than any nation outside Asia, was preparing to remember its 543 nationals killed with memorials scheduled in Stockholm and two other Swedish cities.
