Government To Tag More Provinces For Language Revitalization Programme

Redaksi    Monday, November 14, 2022    Comment   

Government To Tag More Provinces For Language Revitalization Programme

Government To Tag More Provinces For Language Revitalization Programme.

Semarang, Central Java - The Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology's Language Development and Fostering Agency is planning to tag more provinces as targets for the regional language revitalization programme in 2023.

The Language Agency's Secretary, Hafidz Muksin, revealed that the agency had planned to increase the number of target provinces for the language revitalization programme, from 13 to 19 provinces.

The agency secretary in a statement  on Monday said that regional authorities should play their part in protecting regional languages and literature.

"At present, the revitalization works are ongoing on 39 regional languages in Indonesia, and this reflects the (central) government's presence, along with regional authorities, the people, and language and literature communities, to preserve regional languages," he affirmed.

Meanwhile, Central Java Provincial Language Agency Head Ganjar Harimansyah said that the regional agency is promoting regional languages through the 2022 Central Java provincial Mother Language Sprout Festival (FTBI) that involves students from regions in the province.

"Students from primary and junior high school levels participating in the festival are their regions' selection," he stated.

Harimansyah then lauded stakeholders in Central Java for having participated and collaborated in the movement to revitalize Javanese language.

He expressed optimism that the collaboration would be intensified to ensure goals in the language revitalization movement were achieved.

"We are impressed by the support from primary and junior high school students, schools and students' parents, as well as the province's Education, Culture, Youth, and Sports Office that are enthusiastically participating in the FTBI to celebrate those who help preserve the Javanese language," Harimansyah stated.

Moreover, 2022 FTBI organizing committee head Agus Sudono remarked that the Semarang City contingent emerged victorious in the festival. He said the Purworejo District contingent won the Javanese language chants competition that was newly added to the festival.

Oleh : Wisnu Adhi N, Nabil Ihsan/Antara

Editor : Yakop

Pertamina supports NZE realization through decarbonization initiatives

Redaksi    Monday, November 14, 2022    Comment   

Pertamina supports NZE realization through decarbonization initiatives

Pertamina supports NZE realization through decarbonization initiatives.

Jakarta - State-owned energy company PT Pertamina committed to support the Indonesian government to achieve net zero emissions (NZE) by 2060 through the decarbonization initiatives program currently implemented by the company.

Senior vice president of strategy and investment at Pertamina Daniel S Purba conveyed this information during an ASEAN Panel Discussion on the sidelines of COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt on Friday (November 11, 2022).

At the discussion, Purba delivered a presentation on "Decarbonizing the ASEAN Way – Harnessing the Collective Actions of ASEAN Private Sectors Driving Net-Zero: Pertamina's Overarching Plan in Decarbonization".

He explained that Pertamina as a state-owned energy company has the responsibility to provide energy needs in Indonesia -- a country with a population of nearly 300 million people with high energy demand.

"At the same time, Indonesia has a strong commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2060, and Pertamina as a state-owned company fully supports this commitment," Purba said.

"Pertamina has now developed a clear program for efforts to achieve the target of net zero emissions by 2060, even more ... if possible, we want to reach the target faster by 2050," he added.

He further added that Pertamina views the energy transition effort as a good opportunity to build a green business.

Such a view, according to him, is part of the main mission to ensure the company remains sustainable and grows in line with efforts to fulfill the commitment to achieving net zero emissions through a detailed decarbonization program in accordance with the company's well-prepared NZE roadmap.

"Pertamina has prepared a decarbonization plan especially for its existing businesses, for instance by reducing gas flaring, using renewable energy in all of our activities both upstream, production sites, shipping transportation and even batteries," Purba pointed out.

In addition, regarding the implementation of Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) aspects, Pertamina is currently at the medium risk level and at the second place for the category of the best ESG score in the oil and gas industry, based on Sustainalytics -- an ESG rating agency that has conducted assessment towards the company.

Meanwhile, stakeholders, investors, rating agencies and insurance companies are also interested in finding out and learning about how Pertamina -- as an oil and gas company -- manages ESG aspects in its efforts to produce sustainable energy.

At the ASEAN Panel Discussion of the COP 27, Purba said that a number of ASEAN countries actually have considerable energy resource potential, such as to produce LNG and gas.

He mentioned ASEAN countries that have such a potential including Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Brunei Darussalam.

He also revealed that the low carbon energy transition is a very good practice to be implemented by ASEAN countries in order to reduce the carbon footprint in the region.

Furthermore, still on the effort of reducing carbon footprint, Purba highlighted that Indonesia owns many forests that have the potential to be utilized in the aspect of nature based solutions.

"Therefore, collaboration (among ASEAN countries) can be a brilliant idea because each country has a different position and potential so we hope that the collaboration can establish a carbon market in the ASEAN region," he stated.

"However, this certainly requires concrete steps from all parties so that we can really collaborate together to achieve the net zero emission target," he concluded.

Pewarta : Yuni Arisandy Sinaga/Antara

Editor : Yakop

SAR Collects Data On 150 Submerged Houses In Jambi City

Redaksi    Friday, November 11, 2022    Comment   

SAR Collects Data On 150 Submerged Houses In Jambi City

SAR Collects Data On 150 Submerged Houses In Jambi City.

Jambi - The Jambi Search and Rescue (SAR) Agency collected data on 150 inundated houses in several sub-districts in Jambi City on Friday.

"We recorded that 50 houses in several sub-districts in Jambi City were affected and submerged by floods today (Nov 11), with water levels reaching 1-1.5 meters, but only a few residents evacuated," commander of the Jambi SAR team Widodo noted.

According to Widodo, only some of the residents were keen to evacuate, while most of them chose to stay in their homes to wait for the waters to recede soon.

Meanwhile, the joint SAR team had readied personnel to assist in the evacuation of residents whose homes were flooded due to protracted heavy rains since early morning, especially in Jelutung Sub-district and its surroundings.

The Jambi SAR Agency has deployed its team to monitor flood conditions in the Jambi city area by coordinating with the local military command (TNI), police, and the Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) to evacuate flood victims quickly if they receive reports from the residents or team.

"For now, what the joint SAR team is doing is patrolling the residents' houses that are flooded by asking if they need evacuation or other (needs) while controlling the water levels that had not receded at this time," Widodo said.

The SAR team patrolled by using inflatable boats while some walked, carrying the evacuation equipment for residents.

Furthermore, the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has forecast heavy rains accompanied by lightning and strong winds to occur in several provinces in Indonesia, including Jambi, on November 11.

The Jambi Provincial BMKG also advised residents to be vigilant against the potential for floods and landslides, as the region has entered the peak of the rainy season.

Oleh : Nanang M, Kenzu/Antara

Editor : Yakop

Mount Merapi spews 1,000m hot clouds twice toward Boyong River

Redaksi    Friday, November 11, 2022    Comment   

Mount Merapi spews 1,000m hot clouds twice toward Boyong River

Mount Merapi spews 1,000m hot clouds twice toward Boyong River.

Yogyakarta - Mount Merapi, on the border of Central Java Province and the Special Region of Yogyakarta, ejected hot clouds twice, with a gliding distance of one thousand meters toward Boyong River on Friday.

Head of the Geological Disaster Technology Research and Development Center (BPPTKG), Agus Budi Santoso, noted in his official statement received here on Friday that the first hot cloud avalanche occurred at 9:05 local time, with a gliding distance of approximately one thousand meters to the Boyong River or southwest.

"Hot cloud avalanches were recorded on a seismograph, with an amplitude of 18 mm and a duration of 135 seconds," he remarked.

Furthermore, hot clouds of avalanches were observed again at 12:08 local time, with a gliding distance of one thousand meters to the southwest, with an amplitude of 23 mm and a duration of 104 seconds.

According to Santoso, the Merapi Mountain last spewed hot clouds on June 22, 2022.

During BPPTKG's observations from 6:00 to 12:00 local time, the smoke from the weak pressure crater was observed to be white, with medium to thick intensity, reaching as high as 30-150 meters above the peak of the Merapi crater.

Meanwhile, based on visual observations of the activity of Mount Merapi from October 28 to November 3, 2022, the BPPTKG stated that there were no significant morphological changes, both in the southwest dome and the middle dome of Merapi.

Santoso remarked that the volume of the lava dome in the southwest part of Merapi was recorded at 1,626,000 cubic meters and the middle dome at 2,772,000 cubic meters.

"The volume of the dome is relatively stable," he added.

Until now, the BPPTKG still maintains the status of Mount Merapi at Level III or Alert.

Lava flows and hot clouds from Mount Merapi can impact areas in the south-southwest sector that include the Boyong River, for a maximum of five km, and the Bedog, Krasak, and Bebeng Rivers, for a maximum of seven km.

In addition, lava flows and hot clouds from Mount Merapi can impact areas in the southeastern sector that included the Woro River, for a maximum of three km, and the Gendol River, for a distance of five km, he stated.

If the volcano erupts, the ejection of volcanic material can reach an area within a radius of three kilometers from the top of the mountain, Santoso stated.

Oleh : Luqman Hakim, Resinta S/Antara

Editor : Yakop

Jokowi calls for end to violence in Myanmar

Redaksi    Friday, November 11, 2022    Comment   

Jokowi calls for end to violence in Myanmar

Jokowi calls for end to violence in Myanmar.

Jakarta - Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) outlined six important points related to the crisis in Myanmar, including the affirmation of the call to end violence in the ASEAN country hit by a political crisis.

President Jokowi accentuated several important points related to the Myanmar crisis at the retreat session of the 41st ASEAN Summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Friday, which specifically discussed the implementation of the 5-point consensus (5PC) in Myanmar, as quoted from a written statement by the Presidential Secretariat Press Bureau, Friday.

"The first point is that the implementation of the 5PC remains as the main reference for ASEAN in helping Myanmar to get out of its political crisis," Jokowi noted.

Under the second point, he emphasized the call for an end to violence in order to immediately create conducive conditions in Myanmar.

Thirdly, President Jokowi proposed the assignment of the Secretary-General of ASEAN and the AHA Center (the ASEAN Coordinating Center for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management) to continue to seek access to complete the Comprehensive Needs Assessment immediately.

He affirmed that humanitarian assistance to sustain life has become more important at this time for Myanmar.

According to the fourth point conveyed by the president, the decision on non-political representation from Myanmar should also be applied in addition to the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM) and High-Level Conference.

"Fifth, ASEAN's engagement with all Myanmar stakeholders must be carried out immediately. It is because only by opening dialogue with all parties can the ASEAN be able to facilitate the national dialogue mandated by the 5PC," he remarked.

The sixth point is to respect the principle of non-interference. ASEAN does not provide support for elections that are not inclusive and are not prepared based on national dialogue, he remarked.

"We have a responsibility to the people of ASEAN and the world. If we do not act appropriately, ASEAN's credibility and relevance are at stake," he affirmed.

During the event, President Jokowi was also accompanied by Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi.

Oleh : Indra Arief P, Resinta S/Antara

Editor : Yakop

No Ban On Religious Activities During G20 Summit: Bali Official

Redaksi    Friday, November 11, 2022    Comment   

No Ban On Religious Activities During G20 Summit: Bali Official

No Ban On Religious Activities During G20 Summit: Bali Official.

Denpasar, Bali - The Bali provincial authority underscored that religious activities would not be prohibited during the G20 Summit hosted in the province on November 15-16, 2022, as opposed to information circulating among residents.

"It is incorrect that religious activities are prohibited (during the G20 Summit). There will only be restrictions on activities," Bali Communications, Informatics, and Statistics Office Head Gede Pramana stated here, Friday.

Pramana remarked that the circular issued by the authority restricts several activities only in some regions in Badung District and Denpasar City, the provincial capital.

"The circular clearly stated that restriction on public activities will be observed only in Kuta and South Kuta Sub-district, Badung, and South Denpasar region from November 12 to 17, 2022," the official noted.

According to the circular, public activities restricted during the G20 Summit comprised activities in the education sector and government and private offices, as well as religious and customary activities, he stated.

The government has no intention to prohibit or dismiss religious or cultural activities during the G20 Summit and only appealed to postpone or limit crowds if such activities proceed during the restriction period, the office head emphasized.

Pramana said that the circular also instructs heads of the Bali Customary Village Assembly (MDA) and Bali Religious Harmony Forum (FKUB) to encourage residents living along roads leading to the G20 Summit venues to postpone customary activities and limit crowds during religious activities.

"(The authority) encouraged (residents) to postpone customary activities and limit crowds in religious activities taking place on November 12-17, 2022," he remarked.

He then expressed optimism that after preparations made by the authority and through popular support, the G20 Summit hosted on the island would be successful.

Pramana opined that the G20 Summit is a historically significant event, as it will determine how the world will advance towards a new era after the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Let us support G20 forum events to be smooth, comfortable, secure, peaceful, and successful. We must persevere in supporting the international event, which will be the focus of the global community," he remarked.

Oleh : Ni Putu Putri M, Nabil Ihsan/Antara

Editor : Yakop

Widodo asks ASEAN to Remain Vigilant Against Wave Of Crisiss

Redaksi    Friday, November 11, 2022    Comment   

Widodo asks ASEAN to Remain Vigilant Against Wave Of Crisiss

Widodo asks ASEAN to Remain Vigilant Against Wave Of Crisiss.

Jakarta - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has urged the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to remain vigilant against the wave of crisis that is currently engulfing the world.

Despite the wave of crisis, ASEAN has still shown positive economic performance, he noted while addressing a meeting between ASEAN leaders and the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on Thursday.

"The total ASEAN gross domestic product (GDP) still exceeds US$3 trillion and ASEAN is the fifth biggest economy in the world. In this state of financial turmoil, of course, we all must be vigilant. The partnership between the business world and governments must be intensified. The private sector plays an essential role," Widodo said, according to a press statement released by the Presidential Secretariat's press bureau.

In the short term, efforts must be made to strengthen ASEAN’s economic resilience, the President said. This will require the implementation of countermeasures and adaptive macro-prudential government policies to stabilize the financial system and stimulate economic mobility.

"The private sector must also be forward-looking. This means that they must be careful to see the crisis, exercise caution, and act quickly to adapt. The speed and accuracy to adapt is the key to ASEAN economic resilience," he said.

The President also stressed the importance of improving ASEAN’s competitive edge through innovations in the long run.

"Make sure that we will be competitive in the future through innovations. Digital economy and green economy are ASEAN's future. The digital economy enables (us) to increase productivity and expand market access. Through the green economy, make sure that ASEAN continues to grow in a sustainable way," he said.

At the meeting, the Indonesian leader also underscored the importance of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) for the ASEAN economy. More than 90 percent of business undertakings in the region are MSMEs, and 65 million MSMEs are in Indonesia alone.

"The advancement of MSMEs has a significant impact on the ASEAN economy. Thus, our synergy becomes highly crucial to be strengthened," he remarked.

Oleh : Indra Arief Pribadi. Suharto/Antara

Editor : Yakop

Jakartans Urged To Meet Daily Water Needs To Prevent Kidney Problems

Redaksi    Thursday, November 10, 2022    Comment   

Jakartans Urged To Meet Daily Water Needs To Prevent Kidney Problems

Gambar ilustrasi. Jakartans Urged To Meet Daily Water Needs To Prevent Kidney Problems.

Jakarta - The Jakarta Health Office has asked residents to meet their daily water requirements to prevent dehydration, which can affect and even harm their kidneys.

"The human need for eating and drinking must be well met, which includes having enough liquid volume within the body," head of the office, Widyastuti, said at Jakarta City Hall on Thursday.

According to Widyastuti, the ideal liquid volume for adults is 2 liters while for infants, it is 800 mm, based on weight.

"Usually, if children are being fussy, it means that they are still thirsty or hungry," she explained.

From birth till six months of age, infants require breast milk, while children aged 7–12 months need 800 mm of liquids per day or equivalent to three glasses, the office informed.

Children aged 1 to 3 years need 1,300 mm of liquids per day, equivalent to five glasses.

Meanwhile, children aged 4 to 8 years need 1,700 mm of liquids per day or six glasses.

These liquids can come from mineral water, milk, or fruit juice.

Meanwhile, to anticipate atypical progressive acute kidney injury in children, Widyastuti urged people to pay attention to urination frequency, in addition to ensuring that children drink water properly.

"As soon as a child experiences a reduction in urine volume or urination frequency, which may usually be six times, but it declines all of a sudden, you should be suspicious," she said.

"There may be a problem with their urinary system," she added.

Meanwhile, in relation to acute kidney injury cases in children, the Jakarta Health Office said that no additional cases have been recorded since October 31, 2022.

As of November 8, the office has reported 154 cases based on a survey of hospitals in Jakarta 

Oleh : Dewa Ketut S W, Fadhli Ruhman/Antara

Editor : Yakop

Minister Confirms President Putin's Non-attendance at Bali G20 Summit

Redaksi    Thursday, November 10, 2022    Comment   

Minister Confirms President Putin's Non-attendance at Bali G20 Summit

Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Denpasar, Bali - Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not be attending the G20 Summit on November 15-16, 2022, in Nusa Dua, Bali.

"It has been officially informed that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not come. He will be represented by senior officials. President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), as the chairman of G20, had a conversation on the phone with President Putin," Pandjaitan remarked after reviewing the readiness of the Bali Police Command Center for G20 in Bali, Thursday.

Although Pandjaitan did not provide detailed information regarding President Putin's absence at the G20 Summit, he stated that the decision must be respected.

"Maybe President Putin is busy. We have to respect it. President Jokowi wants to accommodate everyone. He talks with all leaders, but maybe, this is the best for us all," he remarked.

The minister noted that until Thursday, 17 heads of state, including President of the United States, Joe Biden, and President of the People's Republic of China, Xi Jinping, had confirmed their attendance at the summit.

Several other heads of state and heads of government that confirmed their attendance at the G20 summit in person in Bali are South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

Despite President Putin's absence, Pandjaitan said that President Jokowi had made the right move as the chairman. President Jokowi had fulfilled his duty of communicating and attempting to make peace.

"I think there will be a bilateral meeting between President Jokowi and President Biden, as well as presidents from other countries arranged by President Jokowi to show more successful leadership in this G20 Presidency," he remarked.

Pandjaitan also noted that Indonesia's preparations for the G20 Summit, in terms of security, infrastructure, and other aspects, had reached 100-percent completion.

"I think what we are doing is one of the best, maybe the best in the history of the G20," he stated.

During the review, Pandjaitan was accompanied by National Police (Polri) Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo; Indonesia Defense Forces (TNI) Commander General Andika Perkasa; Head of the Public Relations Division of the National Police, Inspector General Dedy Prasetyo; and several other high-ranking Polri and TNI officials at the Bali Police Command Center in Denpasar.

Oleh : Rolandus Nampu, Resinta/Antara

Editor : Yakop

Central Aceh Landslide Damages Four Houses In Uning Village

Redaksi    Thursday, November 10, 2022    Comment   

Central Aceh Landslide Damages Four Houses In Uning Village

Central Aceh Landslide Damages Four Houses In Uning Village.

Banda Aceh, Aceh - A landslide, triggered by torrential rains on Tuesday evening, damaged four houses in Uning Village, Pegasing Sub-district, Central Aceh District, Aceh Province, though no fatalities were reported in the disaster.

"The landslide occurred amid the downpour that lashed the village, but no one fell victim to the catastrophe," Pegasing Police Chief 2nd Inspector Denny stated in Takengon, the capital of Central Aceh District, on Wednesday.

Despite no fatalities, the affected families fled their homes to stay temporarily with their neighbors, he remarked, adding that the landslide had caused material losses reaching around Rp300 million.

The landslide materials came from a project of sand and gravel quarries (Galian C) that fell and damaged the four houses. The 40-meter-long pile of debris also buried a road section, he said.

As a result, the Takengon-Isaq road section got disrupted. However, traffic flow resumed to normal after the Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD)-Central Aceh Office deployed a backhoe to clean the debris, he stated.

Several parts of Indonesia are prone to natural disasters. On October 8, 2022, for instance, floods inundated parts of six sub-districts in East Aceh District, forcing 2,436 residents to flee to safer places.

Most of the flood victims took refuge in village centers, buildings for religious rituals (meunasah), mosques, and traditional Islamic schools (dayah), according to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB).

The floods continued to spread. In Aceh Tamiang District, students of 47 elementary schools and 20 junior high schools had to stay homebound due to floodwaters inundating their schools and hindering road access to them.

"According to data issued by the district education office, flooding has inundated 67 school buildings," Aceh Tamiang district spokesperson Agusliayana Devita stated on November 5, 2022.

As a result, learning activities in the affected schools had been suspended until further notice, she remarked, adding that the homes of several students had also been flooded.

Meanwhile, Head of the Aceh Tamiang Education Office Kairuddin said he had allowed the affected schools to suspend learning activities due to the impact of the catastrophe that forced locals to seek refuge elsewhere.

"The permission (for temporarily suspending teaching and learning activities) is being given if the schools are inundated or people must take refuge. However, we have not issued any instruction for a holiday," he remarked.

In response to the flooding, which was triggered by the recent downpour and the river overflowing, Aceh Tamiang District Head Mursil said he had declared a disaster emergency status that would remain effective for 14 days from October 30, 2022.

Pewarta : Rahmad Nasution/Antara

Editor : Yakop

Safe Houses Crucial In Domestic Violence Handling: Minister

Redaksi    Thursday, November 10, 2022    Comment   

Safe Houses Crucial In Domestic Violence Handling: Minister

Safe Houses Crucial In Domestic Violence Handling: Minister.

Jakarta - Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Minister Bintang Puspayoga highlighted the importance of the availability of safe houses in the handling of violence, especially cases of domestic violence.

"Shelters or safe houses are crucially needed in the handling of cases of violence, especially domestic violence," the minister noted in a statement here on Wednesday.

Puspayoga remarked that based on the Women and Child Protection Online System Information (SIMFONI PPA), domestic violence was the most reported type of violence.

To this end, the existence of safe houses is a form of the government's commitment to creating a safe and comfortable environment for all.

Currently, the Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection is developing a safe houses policy by modeling the Star Shelter concept developed by the Government of Singapore.

"Our ministry is building safe houses for women and child victims of violence and is in the process of developing policies and standard operating procedures (SOPs) from the Singapore Council of Women Organizations and Star Shelter, who have been running these shelters for a long time, can give inspiration," she remarked.

Star Shelter is a safe space for women and child victims of domestic violence in Singapore.

She noted that the good practice of Star Shelter implementation in Singapore would provide a comprehensive understanding of the protection and fulfillment of the rights of women and child victims of violence.

The minister deemed it crucial for safe houses for women and children to be realized soon.

The 2021 National Survey of Women's Life Experience (SPHPN) shows that one in four Indonesian women has experienced physical and/or sexual violence.

Moreover, the 2021 National Survey of Children and Adolescents' Life Experience (SNPHAR) recorded that four out of 10 girls and three out of 10 boys have experienced violence in their lifetime. 

Oleh : Anita Permata, Raka Adji/Antara

Editor : Yakop

North Sumatran Police Arrest Courier, Seize 20 Kg Of Marijuana

Redaksi    Thursday, November 10, 2022    Comment   

North Sumatran Police Arrest Courier, Seize 20 Kg Of Marijuana

North Sumatran Police Arrest Courier, Seize 20 Kg Of Marijuana.

Medan, N Sumatra - Police officers in North Sumatra seized some 200 kg of marijuana from a courier arrested while transporting the drug package to Medan City aboard a van from Aceh on November 6, a police spokesperson stated.

The suspect, identified as M, was apprehended at night while passing by Pasir Tengah Village of the Kutacane-Tiga Binanga road section in Dairi District, North Sumatra Police spokesperson Sen. Coms. Hadi Wahyudi remarked.

The 36-year-old suspect, a resident of Aceh Province, told police investigators that he delivered the cannabis package to Medan City and Pekanbaru City in Riau Province, he noted in a statement here Wednesday.

Owing to a tip-off from locals, the van bearing license plate number BL 1840 AO could be stopped, he remarked, adding that the cops found six sandbags of marijuana inside it.

The suspect said he was promised to get paid Rp20 million to deliver the package to the cities of Medan and Pekanbaru, he remarked.

Indonesia remains under grave threat from drug dealers, as a significant number of its working-age population has become trapped in a vicious cycle of drug abuse.

According to a report by the National Narcotics Agency (BNN), at least 50 Indonesians die of drug use daily in the country. However, this statistic has failed to deter drug use in the country.

The users of crystal methamphetamine, narcotics, marijuana, and other types of addictive drugs come from different communities and socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.

On October 25, 2022, the Medan city police thwarted an attempt to trade 42 kg of crystal methamphetamine by three drug traffickers in the capital city of North Sumatra Province.

The suspects were identified by their initials as ZU (28), SMS (36), and IS (42), Medan City Police Chief Senior Commissioner Valentino Alfa Tatareda noted in a recent statement.

The crystal meth package was received by SMS from a drug lord in Malaysia, he remarked, adding that SMS was arrested while transporting the crystal methamphetamine on the Tebing Tinggi-Medan highway on Oct 25.

The three suspects charged under Law No. 35 of 2009 on Narcotics remain under police custody, pending further investigation, he added.

Indonesia is perceived by both domestic and transnational drug dealers as a potential market due to its vast population and millions of drug users. The value of drug trade in the country is estimated to have reached nearly Rp66 trillion.

In response to the smuggling of illicit drugs by drug kingpins over the past few decades, the Indonesian government has continued to apply harsh punitive action against them.

Pewarta : Rahmad Nasution/Antara

Editor : Yakop