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Thursday, October 27, 2022

Redaksi Thursday, October 27, 2022 Comment

Ministry, stakeholders host "Future: Wellness Tradition" in Bali

Ministry, stakeholders host "Future: Wellness Tradition" in Bali.

Jakarta - The Cooperatives and SMEs Ministry, Indonesia Wellness Institute (IWI), and Smesco Indonesia collaborate to host a "Future: Wellness Tradition" for the "Future SMEs Village" activities at Bali Collection, ITDC, Nusa Dua, Bali, on November 14.

The activity, which brought up the theme of "Local Wisdom for Global Sustainability," is expected to encourage the positioning of the Indonesian wellness industry on the global wellness map by elevating the strength of authentic, diverse traditions that people still hold dear in their everyday lives, thereby making it special.

“Wellness is one of Indonesia's strong potentials for domestic excellence, not only because of the abundance of raw material commodities but also the very strong narrative of cultural traditions. We must support this together," Cooperatives and SMEs Minister Teten Masduki noted in a written statement on Thursday.

Masduki said that his administration fully supported IWI's initiative and was very confident in the potential of the national wellness industry.

Chairperson of IWI Paulus Mintarga stated that this event would not only serve as a showcase of Indonesian wellness products and experiences but would also be a forum for gathering and networking between hundreds of stakeholders in the Indonesian wellness industry.

"We will also bring speakers, both domestically and from global wellness actors, at the Intimate Networking Session, sharing trends and news from the world's wellness industry," he noted.

At this event, Javanese Wellness Tradition and the Balinese Wellness Tradition are presented with various interesting products and experiences, such as pratiti, a therapy in Balinese tradition and belief, and Bheksan, Javanese dance-based yoga, as well as various other types of literacy.

The series of events will be concluded with the Bali Declaration that contains the vision of developing the wellness industry in Indonesia and the world, represented in the 10 Bali principles or the Ten Principles of Bali.

Oleh : Sinta Ambarwati, Mecca Yumna/antara

Editor : Yakop

Redaksi Thursday, October 27, 2022 Comment

President Signs Regulation On Government Food Reserves

President Signs Regulation On Government Food Reserves.

Jakarta - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has signed Presidential Regulation (Perpres) No. 125 of 2022, which stipulates that government food reserves (CPP) must consist of 11 commodities.

Based on a copy of the regulation, which was obtained from the website of the Legal Documentation and Information Network (JDIH) of the State Secretariat, Jakarta, on Thursday, to maintain food availability throughout Indonesia, it is necessary to master and manage CPP, whose implementation has been assigned to state-owned enterprises (BUMN).

CPP in the form of certain staple foods will be determined based on the type and amount. Certain staple foods are defined as staple foods produced and consumed by the majority of the Indonesian people. If their availability and price are disturbed, they can affect economic stability and cause social unrest in the community.

"Certain staple foods that are designated as government food reserves (CPP) include rice, corn, soybeans, onions, chilies, poultry meat, poultry eggs, ruminant meat, consumption sugar, cooking oil, and fish," according to Article 3 of the presidential regulation, which was signed by President Widodo on October 24, 2022.

However, the President can determine other types of food as CPP as per Article 3 paragraph (4) of the regulation.

Even though it stipulates 11 commodities, Article 3 paragraph (6) of the presidential regulation states that the first stage of CPP implementation is for rice, corn, and soybeans.

In relation to the implementation of CPP, Article 5 states that the National Food Agency shall carry out CPP planning, including setting distribution targets and CPP procurement targets.

To carry out CPP, which will include procurement, management, and distribution, Article 12 states that the government may involve the State Logistics Agency (BULOG) and/or BUMN in the food sector.

"The government has assigned Perum Bulog to organize the first stage of CPP, which includes rice, corn, and soybeans," Article 12 paragraph (2) states.

As per Article 11, the government can distribute CPP to tackle food shortages, food price fluctuations, natural disasters, social disasters, and emergencies.

The CPP can also be distributed for stabilizing food prices, handling food problems, overcoming food crises, implementing food assistance, and as part of international cooperation, foreign food assistance, and other needs determined by the government.

Pewarta : Azis Kurmala/Antara

Editor : Yakop

Wednesday, October 26, 2022

Redaksi Wednesday, October 26, 2022 Comment

Stay Alert To Coastal Flooding During New Moon, Perigee: BMKG

Archive--A resident passes through a street inundated by coastal flooding at Medan City, North Sumatra Province, on Tuesday (October 25, 2022). (ANTARA PHOTO/FransiscoCarollio)

Jakarta, (26/10/2022) - The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) appealed to people living in coastal areas to stay vigilant to high tidal waves and floods during the new moon and perigee.

Head of BMKG's Maritime Meteorology Center Eko Prasetyo stated here on Wednesday that the new moon took place on October 25, 2022, and the perigee that would occur on October 29, 2022, potentially increase the maximum height of sea tides.

Hence, the sea water can overflow and cause coastal flooding in areas affected by the increase in the maximum height of sea tides.

Based on the data of water level and tidal predictions, coastal flooding might hit several coastal areas throughout Indonesia, such as the coast of North Sumatra, West Sumatra, and Lampung, on October 25-31, 2022, the official noted.

He stated that the coastal areas of Banten, East Java, southern region of Bali, East Nusa Tenggara, western region of West Kalimantan, as well as North Sulawesi are also likely to experience flooding.

"Potential coastal flooding may occur at different times (days and hours) in each region," he remarked.

He assessed that flooding could affect loading and unloading activities at ports, salt extraction at salt evaporation ponds, inland fisheries activities, as well as daily activities of residents living in coastal areas.

"The public is advised to always remain vigilant and stay alert to anticipate the impact of the maximum height of sea tides as well as pay attention to the updates on maritime weather information from the BMKG," Prasetyo remarked.

In addition, he urged coastal communities to be aware of high waves up to four meters in height that could appear in several areas of the Indonesian waters on October 26-27, 2022.

"The potential for high waves in the areas can also pose a risk to the safety of cruise activities," he added.

Oleh : Zubi Mahrofi, Uyu Liman/Antara

Editor : Yakop

Tuesday, October 25, 2022

Redaksi Tuesday, October 25, 2022 Comment

State-run food holding ID FOOD Willing To Support G20 to Anticipate The Global Food Crisis

Ilustrasi. State-run food holding ID FOOD Willing To Support G20 to Anticipate The Global Food Crisis.

Jakarta - State-run food holding ID FOOD expressed readiness to support the plans of G20 members to establish an integrated and balanced upstream as well as downstream food ecosystem to anticipate the global food crisis.

"ID FOOD is ready to collaborate to support the G20 to improve the food ecosystem," President Director of ID FOOD Frans Marganda Tambunan noted in a statement on Tuesday.

Tambunan remarked that the holding supported Indonesia’s 2022 G20 Presidency to address the food crisis by cooperating with various strategic partners to bolster food processing technology and optimize its representative offices (RO) in G20 members.

The holding had also conducted knowledge transfer between G20 members, conducted research collaboration to develop the upstream and downstream food ecosystem, as well as established bilateral and multilateral cooperation with various G20 members to increase the trade value.

"It is in line with the directive of SOEs (State-owned Enterprises) Minister Erick Thohir (who has urged us) to work together in building Indonesia’s (food) ecosystem with the central government, regional governments, institutions, ministries, private sector, MSMEs (micro, small, and medium enterprises), and farmers," the president director affirmed.

There is vast potential for food actors and the G20 members to collaborate in anticipating the global food crisis, including by developing international market networks and strengthening export opportunities for food products.

Recently, ID FOOD Group had begun exporting big blue octopus (Octopus cyanea Gray) as well as tuna loins to several Asian and American countries in 2022.

"We also manage the Modern Fish Market as a fishery culinary center that can be visited by the G20 delegates to enjoy fresh fish captured by Indonesian fishermen," Tambunan stated.

ID FOOD's integrated food ecosystem attempts to balance the upstream and downstream sector's several food commodities, including rice, corn, sugar, fish, day-old chicks (DOC), cattle, and salt.

In addition to food processing and cold storage, ID FOOD also manages food trade and logistics to maintain food availability to meet the needs of the community.

Oleh : Aji Cakti, Uyu Liman/Antara

Editor : Yakop

Sunday, October 23, 2022

Redaksi Sunday, October 23, 2022 Comment

Kopontren expected to advance economic independence: minister

Kopontren expected to advance economic independence: minister.

Jakarta - The Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Ministry is striving to realize the community’s economic independence by establishing Pondok Pesantren (Islamic boarding school) Cooperatives (Kopontren).

"The government is committed and very serious about helping Islamic boarding schools become economically independent," Cooperatives and SMEs Minister Teten Masduki remarked at the National Santri Day commemoration and the kick-off of the centenary of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), according to a press release received on Saturday.

Islamic boarding schools can become centers of community economic empowerment through the development of micro waqf institutions as well as baitul maal wa tamwil (BMT/sharia cooperatives), he added.

Several programs have been carried out by the ministry for developing a Kopontren-based economy, including the provision of revolving fund financing with a very low interest rate of three percent.

The government is also providing cluster people's business credit (KUR) with a budget ceiling of Rp373.17 trillion in 2022 and Rp400 trillion in 2023, the minister informed.

"We will develop a pilot project for the development of cluster KUR (in the schools) since Islamic boarding school can become a place to (learn about) business, not only a place to seek knowledge," he stated.

Through the Kopontren, Islamic boarding schools can take advantage of the social forestry program so that students and communities who are members of cooperatives can manage government-owned land to earn their livelihoods, he added.

The government will provide easy access to smallholder entrepreneurs to get up to 2 hectares of land, Masduki said. The government has prepared 12.7 hectares of land for entrepreneurs to manage.

"Through the management of the forests for productive activities (program), it is expected that the community's economy will improve," he added at the event, which took place at Pondok Pesantren An-Nur 2 Al-Murtadlo, Malang, East Java province.

The caretaker of the Islamic boarding school, Fathul Bari, lauded the government's efforts and policies, which have consistently supported all Islamic boarding schools in Indonesia.

In the future, he said he expects the schools to advance their economy and science aspects through various government programs.

"Thanks to the support from the minister (Masduki), the economy of Islamic boarding schools can become more independent and run well. Hopefully, the minister can continue to support Islamic boarding schools in East Java (specifically) and throughout Indonesia generally," he added.

Oleh : Baqir Alatas, Uyu Liman

Editor : Yakop

Redaksi Sunday, October 23, 2022 Comment

Indonesia hosts Conference of Library Directors in Asia and Oceania

Indonesia hosts Conference of Library Directors in Asia and Oceania.

Jakarta - Indonesia is to host the 28th Conference of Directors of National Libraries in Asia and Oceania (CDNLAO) in Jakarta, on October 24-27, 2022.

The 28th CDNLAO's theme would be Library Service Impacts on Community: Sustainability, Inclusion, and Innovation, Head of the National Library of Indonesia Muhammad Syarif Bando said here, Sunday.

The meeting has three primary goals including exchanging information and promoting cooperation in the development of libraries in Asia and Oceania.

The second goal concerns helping libraries in less developed countries through cooperation and the third goal involves understanding the development of library art between libraries in Asia and Oceania.

Indonesia had hosted CDNLAO in 2007 and 2012.

The 28th CDNLAO should have been held in 2020 in Indonesia, but it was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The conference will feature nine speakers who will speak on three sub-themes: sustainability, inclusion, and innovation.

Bando also highlighted that the 2022 International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)-UNESCO manifesto stated that public libraries serve as a strength for education, culture, inclusion, and information.

Moreover, they also act as an agent for sustainable development and they meet individuals' demand over spiritual prosperity and peace of all individuals.

"To this end, UNESCO encourages central and regional governments to actively participate and support the development of public libraries," he noted.

The manifesto also stated that public libraries are the center for local information which make all types of knowledge and information available for their users.

"Libraries provide a space that the public can access to produce knowledge, share and exchange information and culture, as well as promote the public's involvement," Bando said.

This aligns with the priority program promoted by the Perpusnas, namely Social Inclusion-Based Library Transformation (TPBIS).

Starting from 2018, TPBIS has managed to develop knowledge insight and various beneficial skills for the people to raise living standard.

Presentation on TPBIS will be delivered by the Head of Perpusnas during speaker special session.

Oleh : Indriani, Fadhli Ruhman

Editor : Yakop

Redaksi Sunday, October 23, 2022 Comment

Health Minister Highlights That Many Indonesians Lack Vitamin D

Health Minister Highlights That Many Indonesians Lack Vitamin D.

Jakarta - Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin stated that there are still many people in Indonesia that experience vitamin D deficiency and remind the public to actively exercise and expose themselves to sunlight to avoid the condition.

There were many elderly people in Indonesia that experienced vitamin D deficiency even though it was necessary to avoid bone loss, he noted after an event in commemoration of National Osteoporosis Day here, Sunday.

"There are many Indonesians that, surprisingly, even though sunlight is abundant, experience vitamin D deficiency, which leads them to experience osteoporosis," he remarked.

Osteoporosis is a condition wherein the body has a low bone mass accompanied with declining bone tissue quality which can cause bone fragility.

This condition can be experienced by all individuals, both children and adults. However, osteoporosis occurs more frequently toward women who enter the menopause period.

Vitamin D plays a role in maintaining calcium and phosphor that can maintain bone density.

As a result, deficiency of vitamin D leads to deficiency of these two minerals which can make bones to become more fragile and at risk of osteoporosis.

"To this end, exercise more frequently and do activities outdoor, specifically before nine o'clock in the morning," she noted.

The data from 2018 Basic Health Research (Riskesdas) shows that around 36,4 percent of males and 30,7 percent of females over the age of 10 lack physical activities.

During the occasion, Sadikin informed that a total of 26 Fomepizole drug vials to medicate atypical progressive acute kidney injury will brought into the country today.

Indonesia received 10 vials of Fomepizole drug from Singapore and 16 from Australia that will be directly delivered today from the two countries, he informed.

Oleh : Prisca T V, Fadhli Ruhman

Editor : Yakop

Redaksi Sunday, October 23, 2022 Comment

New Capital Construction Workers Dwellings Functions As Shared Office

Ongoing progress of the development of accommodation for construction workers in new capital Nusantara, East Kalimantan. ANTARA/HO-Kementerian PUPR.

Jakarta - Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono said that accommodation for construction workers in new capital Nusantara project must become a shared office for all workers.

The minister also asked all workers involved in the new capital construction, including contractor staff, managers, and consultants, to live in a single complex to ensure easy coordination.

"Besides as an accommodation, (the building) can also become a shared office. Do not place (the office) in another area to help ease coordination," Hadimuljono stated, as per the statement on Sunday.

The ministry has commenced the basic infrastructure development for the new capital project, including the construction of 22 towers of accommodation spaces expected to accommodate at least 15,600 construction workers.

The ministry is developing infrastructures within the central government core zone (KIPP), and has completed the construction of 117.8-metre Sepaku Semoi Dam expected to help control floods and provide clean water for the new capital and Balikpapan City, located south of the new capital.

Meanwhile, the ministry's directorate general of housing affirmed that they would prioritise modular technology developed by Indonesians for the construction of workers' accommodation in the new capital.

The project is implemented under a multi-year contract scheme from 2022 to 2023 and is expected to be functional by 2022 end.

Last August, the Nusantara Capital Authority confirmed that the focus of the new capital’s development until 2024 will be building the KIPP as a livable city with complete facilities for residents.

The spokesperson for the national capital relocation plan communication team, Sidik Pramono, said that the KIPP development would include the construction of presidential and vice presidential palaces, coordinating ministry offices, Bank Indonesia office, ministry and state apparatus accommodation, and places of worship, complete with utility systems and road access.

The government expects the relocation of state apparatus to the new capital to begin in 2024, hence the urgent need to prioritise the development of relevant facilities for their accommodation, he said.

Oleh : Aji Cakti, Nabil Ihsan

Editor : Yakop

Redaksi Sunday, October 23, 2022 Comment

Banda Aceh, Kamaishi City Continue Disaster Mitigation Partnership

Senior Deputy Director of JICA's Partnership Program Division Fujihara Reiko (right) and representative of Nebama Mind Institute Eri Hosoe (left) met with Banda Aceh Mayor Bakri Siddiq (middle) on Oct 21, 2022. (ANTARA FOTO/Irwansyah Putra)

Banda Aceh - The Banda Aceh administration in Aceh Province continues its earthquake and tsunami mitigation partnership with Japan's Kamaishi city government, Banda Aceh Mayor Bakri Siddiq said.

"We are keen to intensify the collaboration to enable our students and children to be more disciplined as their peers in Japan in implementing the disaster-risk reduction practices," Siddiq said.

The disaster management cooperation for the Banda Aceh and Kamaishi city governments is initiated by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), he said in a statement that ANTARA quoted here Sunday.

In the near future, JICA would organize several disaster management-related programs, including a training for trainers, workshop, and disaster mitigation training in Japan, he said.

In addition to disaster resilience programs, Siddiq also urges JICA to help the Banda Aceh administration develop tourism sector in the city.

To this end, Senior Deputy Director of JICA's Partnership Program Division Fujihara Reiko visited Banda Aceh this week.

Her visit was aimed at strengthening the urban disaster resilience related to the Banda Aceh and Kamaishi sister city relationship.

The programs would be centered at the Aceh Tsunami Museum and two public junior high schools -- SMPN 11 and SMPN 17 -- by focusing on improving locals' disaster mitigation capabilities, she said.

In conducting the programs, JICA would involve the Syiah Kuala University, Aceh Disaster Mitigation Agency, and Banda Aceh Education Office, she said, adding that there would be a disaster mitigation training in Japan in 2024.

Earthquakes regularly rock various parts of Indonesia since the country lies on the Circum-Pacific Belt, also known as the Ring of Fire, where several tectonic plates meet and cause frequent volcanic and seismic activities.

The city of Banda Aceh had experienced the deadliest ever earthquake, followed by tsunami, on December 26, 2004.

The catastrophe that also affected certain coastal areas in countries, such as Thailand, Sri Lanka, and India, reportedly killed some 230 thousand people.

In addition to Banda Aceh's deadliest earthquake and tsunami, the Indonesian island of Sulawesi has repeatedly borne witness to deadly earthquakes.

On September 28, 2018, for instance, a 7.4-magnitude earthquake hit several parts of Central Sulawesi Province.

The strong earthquake that was followed by a tsunami and soil liquefaction in Palu, the capital of Central Sulawesi Province, claimed 2,102 lives, injured 4,612, and rendered 680 others missing.

A total of 68,451 homes incurred serious damage, while 78,994 people were displaced.

Pewarta : Rahmad Nasution/Antara

Editor : Yakop

Thursday, October 20, 2022

Redaksi Thursday, October 20, 2022 Comment

BI Sees Core Inflation Sliding Below 4% In 2023 First Half

BI Sees Core Inflation Sliding Below 4% In 2023 First Half.

Jakarta - Bank Indonesia (BI) has forecast that the country's core inflation will fall below four percent year-on-year (yoy) in the first half instead of the third quarter of 2023 as projected earlier.

The earlier-than-projected decline in core inflation is based on BI's policy to raise its key interest rate by 50 basis points (bps) this month to 4.75 percent from 4.25 percent a month ago.

Overall, the key interest rate has increased by 125 basis points (bps) this year.

"That way the economic stability will remain under control, the people's purchasing power will improve, and private consumption will increase," BI Governor Perry Warjiyo explained while announcing the results of the meeting of the central bank’s board of governors, which was accessed online from Jakarta on Thursday.

Core inflation in September 2022 remained low at 3.21 percent yoy along with the low subsequent impact of the fuel oil price adjustment and low inflationary pressure from the demand side.

Although core inflation will be lower than four percent in the first half of 2023, the BI governor predicted that the consumer price index (IHK) will likely be above 4 percent during the period due to the base effect of fuel price adjustment.

However, the base effect will be lower from month to month, he added.

Close coordination between fiscal and monetary authorities will make the second round effect of fuel price adjustment lower or faster than usual. Moreover, transport fares will also be lower than expected.

According to Warjiyo, the granting of incentives for controlling regional inflation, coupled with coordination between the central bank, the central government, and regional governments through the National Movement for Food Inflation Control (GNPIP) will help keep food inflation under control.

"We can also control imported inflation so that the expectation of inflation and core inflation will decline earlier in the first half of 2023 and will not exceed four percent," he said.

Close synergy and collaboration would help mitigate the global impact properly, he added. As such, the inflation, the key interest rate hike, and the rupiah's depreciation are not expected to be as high as the levels seen in other countries.

Oleh : Agatha Olivia V, Suharto/Antara

Editor : Yakop

Redaksi Thursday, October 20, 2022 Comment

PSSI Rejects Recommendation For Executive Board Revamp

PSSI Rejects Recommendation For Executive Board Revamp.

Surabaya, E Java - The All Indonesia Football Association (PSSI) has turned down a recommendation from the joint independent fact-finding team (TGIPF), which probed the Kanjuruhan tragedy, to revamp its executive board by calling an extraordinary congress.

"Call for resignation is just a recommendation. Proposal and decision are all stipulated in the regulation," PSSI executive committee member Ahmad Riyadhi said at the East Java Provincial Police Headquarters in Surabaya on Thursday.

Calling an extraordinary congress is the PSSI members' right, he added. If they request a congress, then PSSI will hold it.

"If the members' request aligns with the statute, then it will be realized," he said.

Riyadhi, who is also the chief of the PSSI referees commission, informed that he had no problem with football supporters' intention to stage a rally to urge the PSSI executive board members to resign.

"No, we have no problem. How many times has Indonesia (PSSI) held extraordinary congresses? It has held four congresses since 2012. But the result remains unchanged. We must concentrate to be better. We respect the public. We cannot work alone. PSSI needs supporters and observers," he said.

Without any request, PSSI will hold an extraordinary congress in 2023, he added.

He said that PSSI Chief Mochamad Iriawan has taken responsibility for the October 1, 2022, stampede at Kanjuruhan Stadium in East Java's Malang District.

As a form of this responsibility, he cooperated during questioning at the East Java Provincial Police Headquarters on Thursday.

Iriawan and his deputy chief Iwan Budianto on Thursday answered a police summons to undergo questioning as witnesses in connection with the stampede at Kanjuruhan Stadium.

The stampede, which broke out following a football match between Arema FC and Persebaya Surabaya, left 133 people dead and hundreds of others injured.

Police have so far named six suspects in the case.

Oleh : Abdul H/Willy I, Suharto/Antara

Editor : Yakop

Redaksi Thursday, October 20, 2022 Comment

Govt seeks to improve hospitals' competence in handling TB

Govt seeks to improve hospitals' competence in handling TB.

Jakarta - The Health Ministry is committed to improving the competence of hospitals in treating tuberculosis (TB) to realize the national goal of TB elimination by 2030.

"We make the capability of hospitals that are under the superintendence (pengampuan or guardianship program) align with the surveilling hospitals so that there is an equitable distribution of health services," Head of the Health Referral Service Transformation Work Team at the ministry Yout Savithri said here on Thursday.

According to her, tuberculosis is one of the 10 dangerous diseases that require serious treatment, so the hospital network needs to be organized to optimize the superintendence program.

It would take the commitment and role of various stakeholders to improve equitable access to tuberculosis treatment services in Indonesia, Savithri said.

According to the Health Ministry, pulmonary tuberculosis accounts for 91 percent of TB cases in Indonesia and can potentially infect healthy people in the surrounding area.

Currently, the discovery of TB cases and treatment have been carried out in several regions, including Banten, Gorontalo, Jakarta, North Sulawesi, and West Sulawesi.

TB cases are mostly concentrated in Java, such as Jakarta, West Java, East Java, and Central Java.

Hence, to support TB handling, the ministry has appointed the Persahabatan Central General Hospital (RSUP) as a "national respiration center" to carry out the superintendence program.

In October 2022, Persahabatan RSUP carried out pilot mentoring programs at two hospitals in Banten.

President Director of Persahabatan RSUP Agus Dwi Susanto said that the hospital will expand the mentoring program to various regions in Indonesia by involving "vertical hospitals" or hospitals that are under the auspices of the Health Ministry, as the program's superintendents.

He said that, through the program, it is expected that hospitals can help reduce the number of deaths caused by TB.

Oleh : Sugiharto P, Kenzu

Editor : Yakop

Wednesday, October 19, 2022

Redaksi Wednesday, October 19, 2022 Comment

Global Trust In Indonesia Shows Improvement: Jokowi

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi).

Jakarta - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) highlighted the increase in global confidence in Indonesia after the achievement of national economic growth and controlled domestic inflation in the midst of a disrupted global economy.

The president also stated that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) lauded the economy in the country by calling Indonesia a bright spot in the midst of the gloom of the world economy.

"The Managing Director of IMF, Kristalina Georgieva, said that, not us. The appraisal would increase global trust in us," Jokowi remarked while opening the 37th Indonesia Trade Expo in Tangerang District, Banten, Wednesday.

The economic achievement intended by Jokowi is the realization of Indonesia's gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 5.44 percent year on year (yoy) in the second quarter of 2022. Indonesia was able to achieve that in the midst of a global recession.

"We are one of the countries to have clocked the highest economic growth among the G20 countries and other countries," the head of state remarked.

Jokowi also noted that the inflation rate was still under control in the second quarter at 4.9 percent and 4.6 percent in August 2022.

However, Jokowi acknowledged that the increase in the price of fuel oil (BBM) caused inflation in September 2022 to increase to 5.9 percent.

Despite the increase, Indonesia's inflation until September 2022 was still under control, he remarked.

"Please compare our inflation with that of other countries, our growth with the economic growth of other countries," he emphasized.

The head of state called on all parties to remain optimistic regarding the current economic conditions despite various international financial institutions having projected a decline in the 2022 and 2023 economies.

“International institutions say that this year is difficult and the next year will be dark. Our country must remain optimistic, but we must be vigilant and be careful because the storm is difficult to predict," he added.

Oleh : Indra Arief P, Resinta S

Editor : Yakop

Redaksi Wednesday, October 19, 2022 Comment

VP Amin returns from three-day visit to Singapore

Vice President Ma’ruf Amin and his wife, Wury Ma’ruf Amin, returned to Jakarta on Wednesday (October 19, 2022) from a three-day working visit to Singapore. (ANTARA/HO-BPMI Setwapres)

Jakarta - Vice President Ma’ruf Amin returned to Jakarta on Wednesday from a three-day working visit to Singapore.

The Vice President and his wife, Wury Ma’ruf Amin, left Changi International Airport, Singapore, at 6 p.m. local time on board the Presidential Aircraft Boeing 737-400 TNI AU, according to a press statement released in Jakarta on Wednesday.

They landed at Halim Perdanakusuma Airbase in East Jakarta at 6:45 p.m. local time after a one-hour and 45-minute flight. Singapore is one hour ahead of Jakarta.

After arriving at the Halim Perdanakusuma Airbase, Amin and his wife went straight to their official residence.

On Thursday, the Vice President is scheduled to open the Jakarta Muslim Fashion Week at the Indonesia Convention Exhibition (ICE) BSD in Tangerang, Banten province, while Wury Ma'ruf Amin will accompany First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo on a working visit to Jambi province.

Amin made a working visit to Singapore for three days starting Monday. During the visit, he met with Singapore Vice Prime Minister Lawrence Wong to discuss ways to boost cooperation between the two neighboring countries. He also held a dialogue with the Indonesian diaspora in Singapore.

Oleh : Rangga Pandu AJ, Suharto/Antara

Editor : Yakop

Redaksi Wednesday, October 19, 2022 Comment

Use of appropriate technology fueling optimism in villages: ministry

Use of appropriate technology fueling optimism in villages: ministry.

Cirebon - The Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration Ministry has informed that the use of appropriate technology has led to villages looking at the future with more optimism.

"Technological innovation always acts as a spring, which makes countries, regions, and villages (advance) further, making the future (filled with) optimism,” the head of development and information at the ministry, Ivanovich Agusta, said at the “Nusantara Appropriate Technology Event” in Cirebon, West Java, on Wednesday.

Currently, villages have succeeded in changing the innovation diffusion curve, he noted. During the 2017–2018 period, the village innovation project managed to compile the names of more than 20 thousand innovation-producing villages, which account for 29 percent of villages in the country.

"The reality on the practice is definitely more than that," he remarked.

Agusta said that villages have now succeeded in creating a vast opportunity for innovation by improving their innovation ecosystem.

He further noted that Wednesday’s event had brought inventors and the market together.

"Therefore, throughout the ‘Nusantara Appropriate Technology Event,’ a business meeting room will also be provided," he said.

On the same occasion, Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration Minister Abdul Halim Iskandar said that currently, there has been an increase in the use of appropriate technology in villages, both for agriculture, animal husbandry, and aquaculture.

Thus, the use of appropriate technology could increase production and generate added value for people who live in villages, he added.

Iskandar said he expects the use of appropriate technology to enable rural communities to do their jobs.

"Technology can facilitate and benefit the village community, as well as raise the awareness of villagers to use appropriate technology to create added value," the minister added.

Oleh : Zubi Mahrofi, Mecca Yumna/Antara

Editor : Yakop

Redaksi Wednesday, October 19, 2022 Comment

Bandung Hospital Treats 12 Children With Acute Kidney Disorders

Bandung Hospital Treats 12 Children With Acute Kidney Disorders. (Antara)

Bandung, West Java - The Hasan Sadikin Hospital of Bandung has treated 12 children with acute kidney disorders since August 2022 when the disease started to be detected in the country, according to the hospital's consultant.

Most of the patients were under the age of six years, while the oldest was 13 years of age, Prof. Dany Hilmanto, the hospital's consultant for child nephrology, stated here on Wednesday.

"As of today, the total has been 12 children, and now, three people are being treated, including one in the ICU, and another has improved, and God willing, he can go home," he remarked.

While treating children, the hospital has always coordinated with the Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI), so that they could immediately uncover the cause of the mysterious disease.

The hospital has also referred to the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health concerning the handling of acute kidney disease in children, he remarked.

The guidelines provide a clear flow of handling with the support of health facilities at the community health center (puskesmas) level.

Hilmanto reminded the public that if a child has fever, cough, or runny nose for 14 days, then they are recommended to immediately go to hospital and undergo a medical checkup.

"If it is normal, then it is monitored, and if it is not normal, then the patient is taken to a referral hospital. The guidelines have also been clearly stated," he remarked.

Meanwhile, Nephrology Division staff Dr Ahmedz Widiasta said the 12 patients came from Bandung City, Bandung District, and other areas outside Bandung.

The hospital continues to coordinate with the health offices in various regions to detect the disease early, so that treatment can be conducted as early as possible.

"Hence, many of them are under five years of age, and the symptoms are fever but not too high, vomiting, coughing, and runny nose," Widiasta stated.

Oleh : Bagus AR, Fardah/Antara

Editor : Yakop

Tuesday, October 18, 2022

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Indonesia Uses G20 Platform To Discuss Global Aviation Recovery

Badung - Indonesia took advantage of its G20 presidency to discuss global aviation recovery and the financial policies that member countries need to formulate during a dialogue between stakeholders in Nusa Dua, Badung, Bali, on Tuesday.

At a G20 side event entitled “Financial Measures for Aviation Recovery,” Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi said that the G20 countries, together with global organizations in the field of aviation and industry, need to jointly identify the impact of the pandemic and then take global action to accelerate recovery.

"The financial aspect is crucial in the aviation industry. Therefore, this dialogue provides a record of lessons learned, good experiences in countries to restore the aviation sector. Remember, what we are doing is the G20 program. So, not only for Indonesia, although Indonesia may be a good example after the pandemic, we can recover quickly even though it is not optimal," Sumadi added on the sidelines of the dialogue in Nusa Dua, Bali, on Tuesday.

He said that the G20 dialogue was attended in person by the president of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Salvatore Sciacchitano; officials from the International Air Transport Association (IATA); a number of international leasing companies; Aergo Capital, a major player in the aviation industry whose portfolio includes Boeing and Airbus; as well as transport ministers and senior officials from ASEAN member countries, the European Union, the United States, Italy, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and India.

"I am proud that the president of ICAO is willing to attend. In fact, the topic (dialogue) he gave was how the aviation industry rose."

"It is not easy to attend one event, but at this G20 prestige event, we created a side event that discussed efforts to awaken the aviation world as a whole,” Sumadi added.

Meanwhile, at the event, ICAO president Sciacchitano praised Indonesia's attitude and resolve to continue the G20 commitment to support the recovery of global aviation.

"The reason I am here is because I respect Indonesia's commitment, concern, and role in bringing aviation issues to be one of the concerns during its leadership at the G20," Sciacchitano said.

He informed that currently, aviation has become a sector that has been quite severely affected by the pandemic due to various restrictions on mobility and activities.

Before COVID-19, there were 4.5 billion international passengers traveling by air transport, he noted.

"However, during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, that number fell or minus 60 percent, then minus 40 percent in 2021," Sciacchitano added.

He said that this year, the ICAO observed that the number of passengers began to approach the levels seen in 2019 in several regions, including Europe, North America, and Latin America.

However, the total recovery of the global aviation sector is predicted in 2023, he said.

"Therefore, the aviation sector needs full support from the government, and related to this, the G20 Summit is an important opportunity to reaffirm the commitment of G20 countries in previous years to support the aviation sector, which will encourage economic and social growth,” the ICAO president added.

Pewarta : Azis Kurmala/Antara

Editor : Yakop

Redaksi Tuesday, October 18, 2022 Comment

East Java sends assistance to support flood handling in Trenggalek

Sidoarjo, East Java - The East Java provincial government on Tuesday sent personnel and assistance to support flood handling in Trenggalek district.

"A team of personnel and logistics has been sent to support (the handling of the impact of the flood) in Trenggalek," East Java Deputy Governor Emil Elestianto Dardak informed at the Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency's (BPBD's) Disaster Information Center, here on Tuesday.

He said that the provincial government has been monitoring the impact of disasters in Trenggalek district and other regions of East Java.

Based on the monitoring, he said the rainfall in East Java has been “extra high.”

"The rainfall has been above 100 to 300 (mm), hence, the southern region has to be vigilant for the next two weeks, and in this case, we focus on emergency response actions," he added.

The deputy governor also asked Trenggalek residents, especially children, elderly, and pregnant women, whose homes are located near a cliff, to temporarily evacuate to a safer place.

"In Trenggalek, we must ask residents to evacuate to a safer place, (especially those) whose houses are under a cliff," he said.

He also informed that several local governments have helped handle the impact of flooding in Trenggalek.

"Thank you, as Ponorogo (district) is willing to help with the inflatable boat. We hear that Tulungagung and Kediri want to support (by sending) personnel to Trenggalek," he said.

Furthermore, he said he expected the East Java BPBD to optimize the use of existing resources to deal with the impact of natural disasters.

"I thank the BPBD colleagues. These are moments that are certainly very energy-consuming, but hopefully, we can be at the forefront," he added.

On Tuesday, thousands of people were displaced after a flash flood inundated downtown Trenggalek and other sub-districts. The floodwaters reached a height of 1.75 meters.

Losses from the flood were estimated at tens of billions of rupiah given the large number of submerged homes, damaged infrastructure, and flooded agricultural areas.

Oleh : Indra S, K/Antara

Editor : Yakop

Cover: Floodwaters inundate Soekarno-Hatta Main Road in Trenggalek, East Java, on Tuesday (October 18, 2022). (ANTARA/Destyan Handri Sujarwoko)

Redaksi Tuesday, October 18, 2022 Comment

Basarnas Prepares For Indonesia-Singapore Joint Exercise

Natuna, Riau Islands - The National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) has conducted a preparatory workshop ahead of the joint search and rescue (SAR) exercise between Indonesia and Singapore (Indopura) in December 2022.

"Today, we conduct the ‘2022 Indopura SAR Pre-Workshop.’ (The joint exercise) with Singapore is called Indopura SAR exercise, which we will carry out in December in Natuna," Basarnas’ director for preparedness, Agus Haryono, informed here on Tuesday.

Basarnas will carry out a routine joint SAR exercise program, not only domestically, but also internationally, he said at the Natuna Ranai Search and Rescue Office, Natuna, Riau Islands.

He further informed that the briefing and preparatory training for the Indopura SAR exercise were aimed at ensuring the smooth implementation of the actual exercise.

"So far, the Natuna SAR Office is ready to carry out exercises and operational duties such as personnel readiness and the main tools," he said.

The Natuna SAR Office was chosen as the host of the joint exercise considering the strategic location of the Natuna area and the Flight Information Region (FIR) area, which was previously controlled by Singapore, he added.

Haryono said he expected all pre-training participants of the workshop to take part in the activity seriously and professionally.

"Although this is just a workshop and still indoor, we hope that the participants can carry out the exercise seriously, professionally, and enthusiastically in order to provide the best SAR service," he added.

In 2020, the 38th Indonesia-Singapore joint SAR exercise was held in Pangkalpinang on October 13–15. The exercise, joined by 150 personnel from Basarnas and Singapore Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC), aimed to improve the quality of handling of ship and aircraft accidents and disasters at sea.

The training covered the procedures for international SAR operation, procedures for handling aircraft accidents, communication, and coordination.

Oleh : Cherman, Kenzu/Antara

Editor : Yakop

Cover: Basarnas' director of preparedness, Agus Haryono (right), and head of the Natuna Search and Rescue Office, Mexianus Bekabel, while opening the ‘2022 Indopura SAR Pre-Training’ at the Natuna Ranai SAR Office, Riau Islands, on Tuesday (October 18, 2022).(ANTARA/HO-Humas SAR Natuna/Cherman)

Monday, October 17, 2022

Redaksi Monday, October 17, 2022 Comment

Social Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharini Visited Hundreds Of Refugees Affected By Landslides

Social Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharini visited hundreds of refugees affected by landslides in Gang Barjo, RT03/RW03 Kebon Jahe village, Kebonkelapa village, Central Bogor district, Bogor city, to ensure that they were safe.

Social Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharini (second left) and Bogor Mayor Bima Arya Sugiarto on Monday (October 17, 2022) visited the evacuation site prepared at Jami Nurul Ikhlas Mosque, Bogor city, for residents affected by the Gang Barjo landslide, RT02/RW03, Kebon Jahe village, Kebonkelapa village, Central Bogor district.

Accompanied by the Mayor of Bogor, Bima Arya Sugiarto, the minister greeted residents at the refugee camp at Jami Nurul Ikhlas Mosque on Veteran Street on Monday afternoon, reviewed the refugee situation, and checked the availability of equipment.

"This is much better than other evacuations, which usually (use) tents. This is in a permanent place, then I also send a toilet, then close to it," she said.

The evacuation to Jami Nurul Ikhlas Mosque was better and safer than the evacuations for which the tents are generally used.

The landslides struck on the night of October 12, 2022. The minister, who immediately went to the landslide site, asked the sub-district administration to shift the refugees from the prayer room, which was close to the affected area.

At that time, the regional government coordinated with the Rizki Danoe Gordhi Foundation to shift the refugees to the Jami Nurul Ikhlas Mosque, which it managed.

The mosque is located in front of Veteran Street, which is much higher than the landslide site, and the mosque has easier access to the highway.

"Since yesterday, we have requested the head of the sub-district. Mr, this one, this one, it is really better and in my opinion the safest among the locations chosen last time. So, in my opinion, this location is the most safe," the minister remarked.

According to data from the Bogor Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency, 139 people from 54 families had to be evacuated due to the landslide in Gang Barjo.

The incident claimed the lives of four people who were buried by an avalanche, while four others survived. The search for the dead extended five days until Sunday afternoon (October 16).

The landslide materials were in the form of soil and rocks, as well as large chunks from buildings. Since it occurred in a narrow alley, the Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency and the joint SAR Team could not bring heavy equipment to the location.

The bodies of the four victims who died in the landslide proved difficult to locate since they were buried four meters deep on average. Sniffer dogs were brought to several locations until they finally managed to help the team find the victims’ bodies.

Oleh: Linna Susanti, Mecca Yumna

Editor: Yakop