REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BANDA ACEH -- The Aceh provincial government expressed hope that President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo attends the event marking the 10th anniversary of the devastating 2004 tsunami that hit Aceh on December 26.

"We hope President Jokowi and a number of ministers attend the function in remembrance of the 10th anniversary of the tsunami in Aceh," the Head of the provincial Culture and Tourism Office, Reza Pahlevi, said on Tuesday.

The Aceh government will organize various events reflecting on the disaster that lead to the death of some 200 thousand people, the official stated.

"The people of Aceh have high hopes to see the president and ministers of his working cabinet in attendance at the event reflecting on the tsunami. The president's attendance is expected to boost efforts to speed up the development of Aceh," he noted.

Furthermore, the government of Aceh also invited representatives of the 21 donor countries and 16 agencies, which helped in the recovery and rebuilding of the province after the tsunami, to attend the event.

Pahlevi pointed out that apart from the remembrance ceremony, a mass prayer will also be held on December 25 at the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque in Banda Aceh.

An earthquake measuring 8.9 on the Richter Scale, which was followed by a massive tsunami, led to the destruction of various public infrastructures in a number of coastal areas in Aceh on December 26, 2004. It claimed the lives of more than 200 thousand people.

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