Speaker sends best wishes to Indonesians affected by volcano eruption
8 December 2021
The Speaker of the House of Commons expressed his concern for Indonesians caught up in the eruption of a volcano on Java island, when he was visited by the island country’s Ambassador.
More than 20 people were killed after hot ash spewed out of the Mount Semeru volcano, which erupted dramatically on 4 December.
During a meeting with His Excellency Desra Percaya - Indonesia’s Ambassador to the UK - Sir Lindsay Hoyle said he hoped that help was forthcoming to the islands, which are located between the Indian and Pacific oceans.
Made up of more than 17,000 islands, Indonesia is located within the so-called ‘Ring of Fire’ - the rim of the Pacific Ocean where many volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occur.
The two men also discussed Indonesia’s upcoming Presidency of the G20 group of the world's largest economies; the fact that more than 3,000 Indonesian students' study in the UK, and counter terrorism measures.
Mr Percaya, who was appointed Ambassador to the UK in 2020, said his love for the country stemmed from his time studying at university in Birmingham and Durham.
He is a fan of TV soaps Coronation Street and EastEnders and Arsenal Football Club, he said.
The inaugural meeting was organised by Sir Lindsay Hoyle, as part of his Speaker-led UK parliamentary diplomacy to establish enduring ties between countries and parliamentarians.
Sir Lindsay said he tried to use ‘soft power’ to enable better relationships between countries and he hoped visitors "always feel we are there to help and assist."