Selawang Segantang Festival Presents Bangka Belitung's Local Arts

Redaksi    Sunday, October 30, 2022    Comment   

Selawang Segantang Festival Presents Bangka Belitung's Local Arts

Selawang Segantang Festival Presents Bangka Belitung's Local Arts.

Bangka Belitung Islands - The 2022 Selawang Segantang Festival, presenting various local arts and cultural attractions, is being held until October 31, by the Central Bangka District Government, Bangka Belitung Islands.

"All the activities we showcase here are a generational legacy that grows and develops in the community," the Head of the Culture, Tourism and Sports Office of Central Bangka, Zainal, explained here on Sunday.

The festival, which took place at the Tapak Antu Beach, Batu Belubang Village, showcased several competitions and traditional games such as displaying betet birds (Psittacula alexandri), pangkak igik karet, collecting clams activity ngeremis, the province's traditional dance rudat, recreational sports adu kerito surong, celebratory tradition nganggung, and the parade of 1,000 telur khatam.

"This activity is being held until October 31, 2022, and the public is very enthusiastic about participating in this, especially in the kerito surong competition and the betet competition," he said.

Meanwhile, Central Bangka District Head Algafry Rahman said that the Selawang Segantang Festival is a platform for the community to express their artistic and cultural creativities.

"This is a place for people from all walks of life to express art and culture, while increasing the attractiveness and love for regional culture and traditions," Rahman said after attending the festival.

He said that the festival implementation aimed to preserve the traditional arts and culture of the region.

Furthermore, he expected that the festival can be held more attractively next year, to attract more tourists visiting Central Bangka.

"Thus, the Selawang Segantang Festival not only aims to preserve regional culture, but also has an impact on the tourism and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) sector," he said.

According to the Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Ministry, Nganggung is one of the traditions carried out in the Bangka Belitung's Malay community.

Nganggung is the custom of bringing food to one large meeting place, usually to a mosque, surau (Islamic assembly building), langgar, and field during Islamic observances such as after the Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha prayers.

Oleh : Ahmadi, Kenzu/Antara

Editor : Yakop

Ministry Reopens Landslide-hit Majene-mamuju Road Section

Redaksi    Sunday, October 30, 2022    Comment   

Ministry Reopens Landslide-hit Majene-mamuju Road Section

Ministry Reopens Landslide-hit Majene-mamuju Road Section.

Jakarta - The Public Works and Housing Ministry has resumed the operation of Trans Sulawesi National Road section which connects the districts of Mamuju with Majene, West Sulawesi, after being cleared from a landslide that disrupted it. 

Director General of Highways at the Public Works and Housing Ministry Hedy Rahadian stated here Sunday that, currently, one lane of the track which was impacted by the landslide had been opened.

"Thank God, one lane has resumed to function since Saturday, October 29, at 05.43pm local time. The landslide is quite vast, so the cleaning work for the opening of the two lanes will be carried out carefully, and will take time," he said.

He noted that the ministry would immediately prepare a permanent measure to prevent the recurrence of landslides in the future.

"A team of workers have already been on the field to prepare a permanent design for the overall slope setting," he stated.

Landslides that occurred at several locations on the Trans Sulawesi route were caused by downpour showering the area since Thursday, October 27.

The falls of rocks, soil, and even fallen trees occurred on the Mamuju District - Tameroddo on KM. 77+700, KM. 77+800, KM. 78+400, and KM. 84+200. Two directions of the landslide-hit road section had resumed to function as of Thursday at 05.08 pm local time.

However, on Thursday, October 27 at 07.00 pm local time, another big landslide occurred at KM. 84+500 (Sangiang) by covering about 100 meters since the soil and rocks containing water were still moving from the cliff.

Head of the West Sulawesi National Road Center at Public Works and Public Housing Ministry Sjofa Rosliansjah said that seven units of heavy equipment had been deployed to clean up the landslide materials.

"During cleaning, traffic is regulated by an open-close scheme in coordination with the police and equipped with security signs."

"Road users are expected to be careful. Traffic will be closed when it rains to reduce the risk of accidents (caused by) being buried by avalanches," they said.

Permanent handling will be carried out after a thorough study is conducted to avoid errors that can trigger the recurrence of landslides.

"The measures that will be taken by West Sulawesi National Road Center are mapping topography with longitudinal and transverse sections at the landslide location, conducting a thorough soil (geological) study at the landslide location, conducting soil laboratory testing and analysis, and then determining a ground handling," Rosliansjah added.

Oleh : Aji Cakti, Mecca Yumna/Antara

Editor : Yakop

Three Killed In South Lampung Flood

Redaksi    Saturday, October 29, 2022    Comment   

Three Killed In South Lampung Flood

Three Killed In South Lampung Flood.

Jakarta - Three people have been killed and one person has been reported missing following the recent flood in South Lampung district, Lampung province, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has reported.

"The flood, which occurred following heavy rains of medium to high intensity, has affected the four sub-districts of Sidamulya, Kitabung, Candipulo, and Kalianda," acting chief of BNPB's disaster data, information and communication center, Abdul Muhari, said in a written statement received in Jakarta on Saturday.

The death toll from the flood has so far risen to three, while one person has been reported missing, he informed.

The flood has inundated 697 houses, caused serious damage to two homes, moderate damage to two houses, damaged a place of worship, and destroyed 2 bridges.

The flood has forced 200 residents to seek refuge elsewhere, Muhari said.

A joint team from West Lampung District Disaster Mitigation Board (BPBD), the Indonesian military, and the police is making efforts to rescue the victims. 

Oleh : Devi Nindy SR, Suharto

Editor : Yakop

Indonesia Records 1,005 Additional Active COVID-19 Cases

Redaksi    Saturday, October 29, 2022    Comment   

Indonesia Records 1,005 Additional Active COVID-19 Cases

Indonesia Records 1,005 Additional Active COVID-19 Cases.

Jakarta - The number of active COVID-19 cases in Indonesia increased by 1,005 on Saturday to touch 23,748, the COVID-19 Handling Task Force reported.

With 3,141 fresh infections added per day, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases recorded in the country since March 2020 has reached 6,487,905.

The number of deaths climbed by 27 on Saturday, bringing the national death toll from the virus to 158,571.

Meanwhile, the number of recoveries increased by 2,109 to bring the total count to 6,305.586 nationwide.

Jakarta contributed the highest number of recoveries on Saturday at 852, followed by East Java (336), Banten (270), West Java (202), and Central Java (101).

Jakarta also contributed the most additional active cases at 1,041, followed by East Java (473), West Java (401), Central Java (246), and Banten (234).

Meanwhile, the highest number of deaths was recorded in Central Java at 8, followed by East Java (4), Jakarta (3), and South Sulawesi (3).

According to the task force, the total number of suspected patients reached 4,985 and the number of specimens examined touched 49,982 on Saturday.

As the COVID-19 pandemic has shown no signs of abating, the government has called on the public to follow the health protocols, including wearing masks and washing hands with running water.

Earlier, the Health Ministry appealed to citizens to get the booster vaccine soon as part of preparations for the COVID-19 endemic phase. 

Oleh : Martha HM, Suharto

Editor : Yakop

Asked Residents To Remain Vigilant To Prevent The Transmission Of The Xbb Sub-Variant Of Covid-19

Redaksi    Friday, October 28, 2022    Comment   

Asked Residents To Remain Vigilant To Prevent The Transmission Of The Xbb Sub-Variant Of Covid-19

Asked Residents To Remain Vigilant To Prevent The Transmission Of The Xbb Sub-Variant Of Covid-19.

Madiun, East Java - East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa has asked residents to remain vigilant and strictly follow health protocols to prevent the transmission of the XBB sub-variant of COVID-19, following the detection of one case in the province.

"I have asked the head of the East Java Health Office, the Institute of Tropical Disease of Airlangga University, and following the information from Mr. Health Minister on Wednesday (October 26, 2022) that one case of the Omicron XBB sub-variant has been (found) in East Java," Parawansa informed here on Friday.

The results of genomic sequencing have shown one confirmed case of the XBB sub-variant in the province as of Friday, with the patient, a 29-year-old woman, getting infected outside East Java, she said.

The governor informed that she had ordered the East Java Provincial Health Office and the East Java COVID-19 Task Force to keep monitoring and carrying out tracing of close contacts of the patient. This is because the XBB sub-variant has a quick transmission rate.

"The patient had mild symptoms. All close contacts have been tested and the results are negative. The patient has now been declared recovered or negative," she said.

The XBB sub-variant is reported to have caused a significant spike in cases in several countries, especially Singapore, she noted. Therefore, she appealed to all East Java residents to remain calm and not panic.

She said she expects people to keep maintaining and tightening the health protocols as a form of self- and family protection.

Besides calling for COVID-19 vaccinations, she instructed all hospitals, especially those under the authority of the East Java provincial government, to increase vigilance. Although COVID-19 cases in East Java are low, hospitals must not lose their grip on preparedness, Parawansa said.

Oleh : Louis S, Kenzu

Editor : Yakop

Youth Living In Regions And Islands Must Not Feel Inferior To Those Living In The Cities

Redaksi    Friday, October 28, 2022    Comment   

Youth Living In Regions And Islands Must Not Feel Inferior To Those Living In The Cities

Youth Living In Regions And Islands Must Not Feel Inferior To Those Living In The Cities.

Tanjungpinang, Riau Islands - Youth living in regions and islands must not feel inferior to those living in the cities, Governor of Riau Islands, Ansar Ahmad, has said.

"Never feel inferior that we live in islands. We will prove that there will be many young people of Riau Islands who can contribute at the national level," he remarked at the 2022 Youth Pledge Day commemoration ceremony at Tanjungpinang Regional Building on Friday.

He said he believes that the abilities of Riau Islands children who live in the islands area are not inferior to those of children living in cities.

Therefore, he urged the province’s youth to continue to develop their potential.

Anyone can succeed, including island residents, as long as they have the determination and willpower to keep learning and striving to achieve their goals, he stressed.

He emphasized that the future of the Indonesian nation relies on the younger generation, and when the time comes, they must be able to lead the Indonesian nation and Riau Islands to make them better.

"We have to be confident. Everyone has the same opportunity to move forward," Ahmad added.

Furthermore, the governor has invited the youth to unite amid differences and work toward making Indonesia a great and developed nation.

The youth must always be serious about building an independent, sovereign, united, just, and prosperous Indonesia amid the dynamic conditions, he said.

"This is our determination to continue the struggle for independence, realize ideals at this time, and all time," he added.

The youth are not only crucial actors for building the nation's resilience and realizing the great vision of Golden Indonesia 2045, but also the backbone of the nation's glory, he said.

Oleh : Ogen, Kenzu/Antara

Editor : Yakop

Four Indonesian provinces have high marine water quality: ministry

Redaksi    Thursday, October 27, 2022    Comment   

Four Indonesian provinces have high marine water quality: ministry

Four Indonesian provinces have high marine water quality: ministry.

Tangerang, Banten - There are four provinces in Indonesia that have high marine water quality, according to director of coastal and marine damage and pollution control at the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Dasrul Chaniago.

"We control the marine water quality by calculating the national index for the 2020–2021 period, and the result is that there are four provinces with high water quality," he informed after attending the 2022 PEMSEA Network of Local Governments (PNLG) event here on Thursday.

The four provinces are Bali, Banten, Yogyakarta, and Central Java, he said.

Further, 4 of the 34 provinces in Indonesia do not meet the national quality index of 59 points, namely Papua, Riau Islands, Aceh, and Southeast Sulawesi, he added.

According to Chaniago, in terms of the volume of waste in the sea in the 2017–2021 period, North Sulawesi was the province with the highest contribution, namely around 600 thousand kilograms per square meter.

Meanwhile, North Sumatra recorded the lowest amount of waste in the sea of below 100 thousand kilograms per square meter.

"The sea waste consists 44 percent of plastic, 12 percent of garments, 15 percent of glass and ceramics, 9 percent of rubber, 10 percent of other materials, and 3 percent of wood," he expounded.

The Indonesian government aims to reduce 70 percent of plastic waste entering the sea by 2025.

Earlier, deputy for coordination of environmental and forestry management at the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Nani Hendiarti, informed that research conducted by the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) found that the amount of plastic waste entering the sea ranges from 0.27 to 0.59 million tons per year.

“Now, for handling plastic waste, Indonesia has set an ambitious target, which is to reduce (plastic) waste that enters the sea by 70 percent by 2025. That target is stated in the action plan from Presidential Decree Number 83 of 2018. Thus, we have three years to implement it," she said on Wednesday.

Oleh : Azmi Syamsul, Raka Adji

Editor : Yakop

Consultative Assembly Forum Boosts Equality For Women, Youth: MPR RI

Redaksi    Thursday, October 27, 2022    Comment   

Consultative Assembly Forum Boosts Equality For Women, Youth: MPR RI

Consultative Assembly Forum Boosts Equality For Women, Youth: MPR RI.

Jakarta - People's Consultative Assembly (MPR RI) Deputy Speaker Lestari Moerdijat opined that the Forum for World Consultative Assembly would bolster equality for women and the younger generation.

"Issues of inclusivity, women's equality, and the younger generation are part of the spirit to establish the Forum for World Consultative Assembly to bolster international cooperation in addressing various issues faced by member states," Moerdijat noted as per the statement on Thursday.

The deputy speaker highlighted that the Forum for World Consultative Assembly was established after participants of the international conference of parliaments organized by MPR RI in Bandung, West Java, October 24-26, 2022, concurred to its formation.

Moerdijat said that formidable international cooperation, through the consultative forum among national parliaments, is essential to enhance equality for women and the younger generation.

Agreements sealed during the establishment of the forum are part of the member states' efforts to implement world order based on independence, eternal peace, and social justice consistent with the 10-point Bandung Declaration and the 1945 Constitution Preamble, the deputy speaker pointed out.

The forum is expected to become a cooperative and consultative medium among member states to address collective issues in the humanitarian, natural resources and environment, justice, women empowerment, and youth aspects, she noted.

"Moreover, efforts to promote the role of the younger generation in the forum aim to resurrect the spirit of the 1928 Youth Pledge," Moerdijat affirmed.

Through international collaboration with the nationalist spirit, Indonesia's noble causes for the global community could be realized together, she said.

The deputy speaker expressed optimism that the parliamentary forum members would collaborate with the people in addressing various challenges and global issues and achieve common goals.

(T.KR-NBL/B/S022/S022) 27-10-2022 18:47:33 - National News - Jakarta

Oleh : Imam Budilaksono, Nabil Ihsan/Antara

Editor : Yakop

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

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

President Signs Regulation On Government Food Reserves

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

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

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

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

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

Kopontren expected to advance economic independence: minister

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

Indonesia hosts Conference of Library Directors in Asia and Oceania

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

Health Minister Highlights That Many Indonesians Lack Vitamin D

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

New Capital Construction Workers Dwellings Functions As Shared Office

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