BBP leader Mustafa Destici on the Istanbul earthquake: '6.2 is a blessing from God, a warning to us all'

Great Unity Party (BBP) Chairman Mustafa Destici spoke at the opening of the General Consultation Meeting held at his party's headquarters.

Pointing out that one of Turkey's most important problems is earthquakes, Destici recalled the earthquakes that occurred in Gölcük in 1999 and in Kahramanmaraş in 2023.

Emphasizing that preparations for earthquakes must be made in advance, Destici stated, "Unfortunately, we see that we still have major deficiencies in terms of this preparation. On a day when we were celebrating the April 23 National Sovereignty and Children's Day, an earthquake occurred in Istanbul, in Silivri. We were forced to face the reality of earthquakes once again."

Mustafa Destici pointed out that if the earthquake had been over magnitude 7 and had occurred on land rather than at sea, there would have been great loss, and noted the following:

"Even though everyone knows that an earthquake over 7 in Istanbul would constitute a national security issue, we unfortunately see that many of our institutions, especially local governments, have not fulfilled their duties on this matter to date. This 6.2 is a blessing from God. Therefore, it is a warning to us, to all of us. Especially local governments and our public institutions and organizations, those who are authorized... Therefore, everyone, everyone who is responsible, must now grasp the message or responsibility that falls upon them from this warning, and preparations regarding the earthquake must be carried out immediately without delay."

"THE NATION FIRST LOOKS TO SEE IF THE PUBLIC SECTOR IS SAVING"

Stating that high public expenditures are an issue that can be solved in one day with a decree or law, Destici said, "A step must be taken on this matter, and an example must be set for the public and the nation. If we are asking the nation to save, then the nation first looks to see, 'Is the public sector saving?' I am referring to all our public institutions; we have to show the citizens that they are saving. We must do this so that we can expect the citizens to save as well."

Destici emphasized that inflation adjustments should also be given to minimum wage earners in July, sharing the view: "The state tells its civil servants, retirees, and public workers, 'Annual inflation is 44, I am giving you a 44 percent raise.' But what does it announce as the rent increase rate? It announces 56, 60. Both are done by state institutions. Therefore, these distortions must come to an end."

Touching upon parliamentary immunity, Destici expressed that it should be limited to parliamentary floor speeches.

News Source: AA