Banda Aceh, Kamaishi City Continue Disaster Mitigation Partnership

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

Three killed in North Jakarta fire

Redaksi    Sunday, October 23, 2022    Comment   

Three killed in North Jakarta fire

Three killed in North Jakarta fire.

Jakarta - A fire ravaged a densely populated area in Pademangan, North Jakarta, on Saturday night, leaving three people dead, police said..

The fire killed a 28-year-old mother and her two children aged 10 and five years, Chief of the Pademangan Police Precinct Commissioner Happy Saputra said.

"According to information from local residents, the victims could not save themselves when the fire got bigger . They were sleeping soundly (when the fire occurred)," he said.

Saputra said the bodies of the three people were found after fire fighters put out the blaze at around 07.30 p.m. local time.

It was believed the fire was caused by a short circuit on the second floor of a rented house, he said.

The fire later spread to other buildings and burned eight semi-permanent homes.

At least 20 fire trucks were deployed to extinguish the blaze.

"The fire caused Tanjung Priok-Kampung Badan commuter line to stop operating as fire hoses and fire fighting appliances obstructed the railway track," he said.

Oleh : Abdu Faisal, Suharto/Antara

Editor : Yakop

Indonesia bags 2 silvers, 1 bronze in in ACC in South Korea

Redaksi    Sunday, October 23, 2022    Comment   

Indonesia bags 2 silvers, 1 bronze in in ACC in South Korea

Indonesia bags 2 silvers, 1 bronze in in ACC in South Korea.

Jakarta - Indonesia's mountain bike (MTB) racing team bagged two silvers and one bronze during the 2022 Asian Continental Championships (ACC) in Suncheon, South Korea, October 19-23.

Indonesia's young athletes Feri Yudoyono won a silver in the Men's Junior Cross Country Olympic (XCO) and Sayu Bella Sukam Dewi contributed another silver from the Women Under 23 XCO on Friday.

Meanwhile, the bronze medal was won by Zaenal Fanani who participated in the Men's Elite XCO on Saturday.

"In Men;s Elite, Zaenal Fanani got a bronze and opened an opportunity toward the Olympics," Indonesian Bike Race National Team's Manager Budi Saputra told ANTARA here, Saturday.

For Fanani, he finished third place after recording one hour 30,31 minutes.

The athlete from Lumajang, East Java, was behind Japan's athlete Riki Kitabayashi who bagged the gold with one hour 29,30 minutes and the host athlete Mino Kim on second place with one hour 30,05 minute.

For the Men's Elite XCO, Indonesia also deployed Ihza Muhammad who managed to settle for seventh place with the time record of one hour 35 minutes and 46 seconds.

A day earlier, Yudoyono bagged silver after logging 56 minutes 25 seconds, He was behind Sho Takahashi from Japan who finished with 54 minutes 14 seconds.

Meanwhile, Dewi, despite falling down, managed to bring herself back up and landed in the second place with one hour 13,15 minutes. Japan's representative Akari Kobayashi became the winner with one hour 9,10 minutes.

For the Women Under 23 XCO, the other Indonesian representative, Dela Anjar Wulan, finished in the sixth place with one hour 25,41 minutes.

Indonesia also sent other athletes in other events such as Ade Agung Dian Tara who finished sixth place with one hour 15,35 minutes for the Men Under 23 XCO.

Oleh : Muhammad Ramdan, Fadhli Ruhman

Editor : Yakop

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

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

PSSI Rejects Recommendation For Executive Board Revamp

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

Govt seeks to improve hospitals' competence in handling TB

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

UNESCO Global Geoparks Team Members Visit West Papua's Raja Ampat

Redaksi    Thursday, October 20, 2022    Comment   

UNESCO Global Geoparks Team Members Visit West Papua's Raja Ampat

UNESCO Global Geoparks Team Members Visit West Papua's Raja Ampat.

Sorong, W Papua - Two members from the UNESCO Global Geoparks secretariat team have observed how locals are managing the Piaynemo Geosite in Raja Ampat district, West Papua, as a tourist destination, a Konservasi Indonesia officer informed on Wednesday.

During their visit last week, UNESCO’s Charalampos Fassoulas and Alireza Amrikazemi met with Pamembuk NGO activists and Jaga Laut (Guarding Sea) team members, who are seeking to preserve sustainable tourism in Piaynemo Geosite.

They observed and discussed the necessary issues with personnel from Pamembuk and Jaga Laut, Konservasi Indonesia's tourism and capacity building manager, Meidiarti Kasmidi, said in Waisai on Wednesday.

Konservasi Indonesia is a national foundation that aims to support the sustainable development and protection of critical ecosystems in Indonesia.

According to Kasmidi, Fassoulas and Amrikazemi visited Raja Ampat to assess the government's proposal for making the district's geosite a part of UNESCO Global Geoparks.

During their visit, they also talked to several native Papuan women who are producing and selling virgin coconut oil, skin moisturizer, and coconut hand-made soaps to tourists.

They lauded the management system applied in the villages of Saukabu, Saupapir, and Fam, which reflects the people-based tourism at the Piaynemo Geosite, Kasmidi said.

Meanwhile, Raja Ampat district head Abdul Faris Umlati said earlier that the visit of the UNESCO Global Geoparks personnel was aimed at evaluating a plan to make Raja Ampat a part of UNESCO Global Geoparks.

"We hope the Raja Ampat Geopark will be able to become a part of the UNESCO Global Geoparks so that our people can gain benefits from the status," he added.

According to UNESCO's official website, UNESCO Global Geoparks are "single, unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education, and sustainable development."

ANTARA reported earlier that Raja Ampat is often called "Heaven on Earth,” "Miracle of Papua,” "Underwater Paradise on Earth,” or "Real Wonder of the World" for its mesmerizing marine panoramas.

The district has a geopark that is touted to be more beautiful than the one in Halong Bay, Vietnam.

In 2012, Raja Ampat was included in the list of the Real Wonders of the World. It has been recognized as one of the world's 10 most beautiful diving sites, and rated number one for its rich marine flora and fauna diversity.

Raja Ampat district has around 1,700 islands, including the Isle of Wayag, which is made of karst or limestone from other isles.

The waters of Raja Ampat have approximately 603 hard coral species, representing 75 percent of the total coral reefs in the world, according to information posted on rajaampatlodge.com.

Based on various studies by global conservation agencies, such as Conservation International and Nature Conservancy, Raja Ampat’s waters are estimated to host 1,397 fish species. The waters of Raja Ampat are, therefore, also called the “Capital for Fish in the World.”

There are 60 varieties of crayfish, 699 types of soft animals or species of mollusks, comprising 530 species of snails (Gastropoda), 159 species of shells (Bivalvia), two species of Scaphopoda, five species of squids (Cephalopoda), and three Chiton species in the waters of Raja Ampat.

Pewarta : Rahmad Nasution/Antara

Editor : Yakop

Nusantara City Prioritized In Expediting Internet Coverage

Redaksi    Thursday, October 20, 2022    Comment   

Nusantara City Prioritized In Expediting Internet Coverage

Nusantara City Prioritized In Expediting Internet Coverage.

Penajam - Part of Penajam North Paser, which is Sepaku Sub-District, as the new state capital Nusantara's main area is prioritized for internet network expansion, and a base transceiver station (BTS) or communication tower will be built there.

On Wednesday, Secretary of the Penajam North Paser District's Communication and Information Office, Herlambang, opined that the extension of internet network at a core area of the government in Nusantara City was a priority due to which BTS construction was deemed necessary.

The district government and PT Telkom Indonesia (Persero) collected data on areas that had yet to receive communication signals or internet coverage.

The efforts to expedite internet coverage in that area had only received attention or priority of the Communication and Informatics Ministry. The district government only pursued the internet network extension program that was delayed due to budget constraints.

Improvement in internet network services in the Nusantara City area is included in the priority of the East Kalimantan Government, as support for the digital village program.

As for areas that had yet to be included in signal or internet coverage, the district government coordinates with the Ministry of Communications and internet service providers to include them in the network.

"There are still seven blank spots, (among them being) Labangka Village and Sumber Sari Village in Babulu Sub-district, Bukit Subur Village and Sesumpu Village in Penajam Sub-district, and Karang Jinawi Village in Sepaku Sub-district," he remarked.

Penajam North Paser District's Communication and Information Office has prepared an internet network to improve public services and installed Wi-Fi for district and sub-district and village government offices.

In providing and extending internet services in the area, the district government is collaborating with PT Telkom Indonesia (Persero).

The office aims to improve internet services to support the transfer and development of the new state capital.

Data collection on areas that had yet to get communication network coverage continues to be conducted as a means to improve the internet network to ensure all people can receive services.

Oleh : Novi A, Bagus P, Mecca Yumna/Antara

Editor : Yakop

Kanjuruhan Deaths Caused By Tear Gas Use: Minister

Redaksi    Thursday, October 20, 2022    Comment   

Kanjuruhan Deaths Caused By Tear Gas Use: Minister

Kanjuruhan Deaths Caused By Tear Gas Use: Minister.

Jakarta - Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, Mahfud MD, has blamed the loss of 132 lives in the Kanjuruhan Stadium stampede, Malang, on October 1, 2022, on the use of tear gas by the police.

"Now, I don't care how much of the deadly chemical is (contained in tear gas), it doesn't matter."

"Because it wasn't the chemical that caused it, but the (use of the tear gas itself) that caused people to panic and then the stampede and die," the minister said on Thursday.

Thus, the police and the Indonesian Football Association are equally responsible for the incident.

"Perhaps the tear gas itself did not cause immediate death, but throwing it into certain places caused people to panic, have short breath, then ran to the same place, getting squeezed, died. So, the cause was tear gas," Mahfud said.

The joint fact-finding team's recommendation was debated by the community, which questioned its usefulness, he noted.

"Because of this, regarding the world of football, arrangements, organization, and others have been regulated by FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association) and PSSI (All Indonesia Football Association)."

"We must not interfere in that, but the government has spoken with the FIFA president and will do the transformation together," he said.

Other recommendations, such as stadium renovations, have been pursued promptly.

“Then, the arrangements for the police to make new rules and begin to make new permanent procedures for football security and so on are now being carried out."

"I think that is quite the maximum, what has been done by the joint fact-finding team," he informed.

The results of a survey conducted by the Indonesian Survey Institute (LSI) have shown that most people hold the police and the league’s organizers the most responsible for the Kanjuruhan tragedy.

A total of 24.3 percent of the survey’s respondents held the league’s organizers and 29.4 percent held the police responsible for the incident.

"Police officers and then the league organizers are considered the most responsible according to most respondents," executive director of LSI, Djayadi Hanan, said when presenting the results of the survey.

Others held different entities responsible for the incident: the National Football Association (6.7 percent), the National Defense Force (2.6 percent), and supporters (13.6 percent). Meanwhile, 5.9 percent said everyone was responsible for the incident, 0.8 percent assigned the responsibility to others, and 16.7 percent did not provide an answer or said they did not know.

The survey was conducted from October 6 to 10, 2022, and involved 1,212 respondents.

Sample selection was done through the random digit dialing (RDD) method. RDD is a technique of selecting a sample through a random telephone number generation process.

The margin of error in the survey was about 2.9 percent, with a confidence level of 95 percent. 

Oleh : Syaiful Hakim, Mecca Yumna/Antara

Editor : Yakop

Ministry Prioritizing Covid-19 Vaccination For Travelers

Redaksi    Thursday, October 20, 2022    Comment   

Ministry Prioritizing Covid-19 Vaccination For Travelers

Ministry Prioritizing Covid-19 Vaccination For Travelers.

Jakarta - COVID-19 vaccinations are currently being prioritized for travelers in view of the declining stocks of available vaccines, Acting Director for Immunization Management at the Ministry of Health Prima Yosephine informed here on Wednesday.

“Thus, we are prioritizing this first while waiting for the shipment that will come and procurement from inside the country. We expect that, by November, everything will return (to normal),” she said.

She then urged people who are keen to travel to take the COVID-19 booster at the Harbor Health Office (KKP) before the departure date.

She asked them to contact the KKP as it stipulates the conditions for immunization. For example, to undertake umroh, people need to take the meningitis vaccination, which is being provided at the KKP, she explained.

According to Yosephine, currently, the available COVID-19 vaccine stock is pegged at around one million doses and it has already been distributed to the regions.

Vaccine stocks are also available at several public health centers (puskesmas), so people can get vaccinated at puskesmas that still have vaccines in stock.

"Not all puskesmas (stock) is empty, but it is not like in the past, in which (the stock) is abundance. Moreover, there are several puskesmas that do not have a stock," she informed.

In addition to prioritizing the booster vaccine for travelers, the government is also striving to conduct mapping to relocate vaccine stocks from provinces that have more vaccines to provinces that lack stocks.

On Wednesday, the COVID-19 task force reported that the number of Indonesians who have received the third dose or booster has reached 64,636,490.

The number of people who have received the third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine increased by 44,428 on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the number of citizens who have received the first and second doses stood at 205,055,891 and 171,728,936, respectively. 

Oleh : Suci Nurhaliza, Fadhli Ruhman

Editor : Yakop

Effectual Technological Development To Drive Village Growth: Minister

Redaksi    Thursday, October 20, 2022    Comment   

Effectual Technological Development To Drive Village Growth: Minister

Effectual Technological Development To Drive Village Growth: Minister.

Cirebon, West Java - Minister of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration Abdul Halim Iskandar is of the firm belief that the development and utilization of effective technology can bolster efforts to achieve equitable growth in villages.

"If villages are keen to enhance the residents' productivity, then they must accelerate the residents' life mobility and ensure equal economic growth by developing and using effective technology," Iskandar stated at the 23rd Nusantara Effective Technology Expo here, Wednesday.

The minister expressed optimism that effective technology would improve the residents' livelihoods while urging village authorities to support new technology and inventions that could facilitate residents' activities.

"Use effective technology as a medium to achieve quality life for residents," he stated.

The village authority should help enhance village-owned enterprises by assisting its registration with the law and human rights ministry to accelerate economic growth in villages, Iskandar remarked.

He affirmed that village-owned enterprises should register their effective technology products with the investment ministry to receive a business permit.

"This legality will open market opportunities for effective technology products to the village's residents or other regions," the minister emphasized.

He pointed out that village technology services posts (Posyantekdes) could serve as a medium for inventors in villages.

"Posyantekdes can also be a forum for village-owned enterprises to expand their marketing and (distribution) of effective technology spare parts," Iskandar remarked.

Apart from being a medium for inventors, Posyantekdes should also be a forum to unite inventors and village-owned enterprises with customers originating from outside their regions, he added.

"Districts, municipal, and provincial authorities must include effective technology marketed by village-owned enterprises to regional authorities' electronic catalogue and online marketplaces."

"This will legalize and expand marketing of the technology to other government institutions and parties," Iskandar remarked.

Oleh : Zubi Mahrofi, Nabil Ihsan/Antara

Editor : Yakop

Bappenas, USAID Partner To Expedite Development In Papua

Redaksi    Thursday, October 20, 2022    Comment   

Bappenas, USAID Partner To Expedite Development In Papua

Bappenas, USAID Partner To Expedite Development In Papua. (image pixabay)

Jakarta - Indonesia’s Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas) is collaborating with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to speed up development in Papua.

The United States, through USAID and Bappenas, launched a new initiative to accelerate development in Papua and West Papua, the Papua Collaborative Governance Indonesia Project or "USAID Kolaborasi," the US Embassy in Jakarta noted in a statement on Thursday.

According to the Embassy, USAID Kolaborasi is a five-year US$10-million fund initiative to support Indonesia’s Master Plan for the Acceleration of Development for Papua (RIPPP).

The plan aims to strengthen cooperation with development partners, businesses, and other stakeholders.

The program will assist the provinces of Papua and West Papua to use Special Autonomy Funds for offering maximum benefits to the people of Papua and West Papua, according to the Embassy.

Main Secretary of Bappenas Taufik Hanafi stated that strengthening collaboration between the Government of Indonesia and USAID under Kolaborasi will play an important role in mobilizing program and funding resources to focus on achieving development goals in the RIPPP.

USAID Indonesia Mission Director Jeff Cohen stated that along with Bappenas and local governments in Papua and West Papua, USAID Kolaborasi will improve the quality of public service delivery and improve the skills of local government agencies to oversee budget allocation and execution in addition to engaging with citizens in Papua and West Papua.

“This new collaboration with Bappenas demonstrates our commitment to supporting the Indonesian government in realizing its goal of a prosperous Papua region,” he remarked.

“USAID Kolaborasi promotes collaborative governance in Papua and West Papua by improving the capacity of local governments and the engagement of Papua's indigenous people in local development,” Cohen stated.

He remarked that the United States is committed to partnering with the Government of Indonesia to address important development challenges.

The USAID looks forward to expanding its close relationship with Bappenas and working with other local partners, such as Cendrawasih University and University of Papua, to improve the functioning and accountability of governance in Papua and West Papua, he explained. 

Pewarta : Yuni Arisandy Sinaga/Antara

Editor : Yakop

Health Ministry Finds Harmful Substances In Syrup Medicines

Redaksi    Thursday, October 20, 2022    Comment   

Health Ministry Finds Harmful Substances In Syrup Medicines

Ilustrasi. Health Ministry Finds Harmful Substances In Syrup Medicines. (pixabay)

Jakarta - Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin confirmed that three dangerous chemical substances were found in syrup medicine products suspected to cause atypical acute kidney failure among children.

According to the ministry's press statement here, Thursday, Sadikin remarked that the three substances were ethylene glycol (EG), diethylene glycol (DEG), and ethylene glycol butyl ether (EGBE), which ideally should not exist in syrup medicines.

Those chemical substances could be found in the syrup if polyethylene glycol, with strict tolerance limits, is used to increase the solubility of syrup medicines.

According to Indonesia Pharmacopoeia, EG and DEG were not used in the medicine formulation, yet their existence as a contaminant in syrup medicine, is tolerated for 0.1 percent for glycerine and propylene glycol and 0.25 percent for polyethylene glycol.

Sadikin confirmed that the ministry had suspended the sale of over-the-counter syrup medicine products to prevent more cases of acute kidney failure.

The ministry has also instructed health officers to not prescribe syrup medicine, suspected to be contaminated with EG and DEG, to patients, he emphasized.

"Pending the final quantitative research report from BPOM (National Agency of Drug and Food Control), the Health Ministry took conservative measures by (placing) a temporary ban on the use of syrup medicines," the minister noted.

He urged residents whose children need syrup medicines that could not be substituted with other medicine types, such as anti-epilepsy, to consult a paediatrician or a child health consultant.

Sadikin stated that 70 cases of atypical acute kidney failure among children below five years of age had been detected in Indonesia per month.

"Children with acute kidney failure have reached 70 per month, and the real case (count) might be higher than this. We also record close to 50-percent casualty rate," Sadikin remarked.

Oleh : Andi Firdaus, Nabil Ihsan/Antara

Editor : Yakop

BPOM Details Guidelines For Drug Syrup Consumption

Redaksi    Wednesday, October 19, 2022    Comment   

BPOM Details Guidelines For Drug Syrup Consumption

BPOM Details Guidelines For Drug Syrup Consumption.

Jakarta - The Indonesian Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) conveyed guidelines for the public in consuming syrups that were safe to avoid harmful contaminants that can affect health.

"The public can use drugs appropriately and do not exceed the dose, read the warnings carefully, and avoid using leftover syrup that has been opened and stored for a long time," agency's Director for Drug Registration, Siti Asfijah Abdoellah, noted in a written statement  here, Wednesday.

In addition, the BPOM reminds consumers to consult with doctors, pharmacists, or other health workers if symptoms do not decrease after three days of consuming the drug syrup.

Abdoellah urged consumers to fully report the drugs used to health workers as well as report side effects of drugs to the nearest health worker or through the BPOM Mobile and e-MESO Mobile service applications.

Moreover, the public should exercise greater vigilance and use drug products registered with BPOM obtained from pharmaceutical service facilities or official sources and always remember to check the packaging, label, circulation permit, and expiry date before buying and consuming drugs.

She said that BPOM had banned the use of Ethylene Glycol (EG) and Diethylene Glycol (DEG) in all syrup drug products' ingredients for children and adults.

"In accordance with the regulations and requirements for registration of medicinal products, BPOM has set a requirement that all syrup drug products for children and adults are not allowed to use EG and DEG," she emphasized.

Abdoellah remarked that EG and DEG can still be found as contaminants in additional solvents. The BPOM has set a maximum limit of EG and DEG on the two additives according to international standards.

The Ministry of Health stated that the cause of acute kidney injury (AKI) is unknown while highlighting the need for further investigation with BPOM, the Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI), and other related parties.

The BPOM encourages health workers and the pharmaceutical industry to actively report drug side effects after drug use as part of preventing unwanted incidents that can lead to a bigger impact.

The agency also conducts risk-based tracing, sampling, and gradual sample testing of syrup medicinal products that have the potential to contain EG and DEG contamination.

Abdullah noted that the results of product testing containing EG and DEG contamination still required further studies to ensure compliance with safe thresholds based on references.

Furthermore, products exceeding the safe threshold will receive administrative sanctions in the form of warnings, stern warnings, temporary cessation of drug manufacturing activities, freezing the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) certificates, revocation of GMP certificates, and temporary cessation of advertising activities, as well as suspension of marketing permits and/or revocation of distribution permit.

"The pharmaceutical industry can also make other efforts, such as changing drug formulas and/or raw materials if needed," Abdullah stated.

The BPOM had earlier delivered an explanation regarding drug syrup for children contaminated with DEG and EG in Gambia, Africa, on Wednesday, October 12.

The BPOM stated that the syrups for children mentioned in the information from WHO comprised Promethazine Oral Solution, Kofexmalin Baby Cough Syrup, Makoff Baby Cough Syrup, and Magrip N Cold Syrup, produced by Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited, India.

The four products recalled in Gambia were not registered and were not circulating in Indonesia, and to date, none of the products from the manufacturer Maiden Pharmaceutical Ltd, India, are registered with BPOM.

Oleh : Andi Firdaus, Resinta S/Antara

Editor : Yakop

IDAI Traces Acute Kidney Failure Case In Infant In Banyumas

Redaksi    Wednesday, October 19, 2022    Comment   

IDAI Traces Acute Kidney Failure Case In Infant In Banyumas

IDAI Traces Acute Kidney Failure Case In Infant In Banyumas.

Semarang - The Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI) for Central Java traced the findings of a case of mysterious acute kidney failure in an eight-month-old infant in Banyumas District.

"There is one report from Banyumas. We are currently tracing it," Head of IDAI Central Java Fitri Hartanto stated here on Wednesday.

Hartanto noted that based on the report submitted to IDAI Central Java, the diagnosis of kidney failure in the pediatric patient was established.

She noted that IDAI Central Java was still investigating the cause of the patient's acute kidney failure.

"We are still looking for the cause, whether the patient is also taking paracetamol that is thought to contain ethylene glycol," she stated.

She remarked that pediatricians in Central Java region had been urged to report findings of suspected acute kidney failure in children and check whether the patient had a history of COVID-19, respiratory, or gastrointestinal disorders.

The Health Ministry has recorded 189 mysterious cases of acute kidney failure in children from various regions in Indonesia.

Based on the ministry's data, mysterious acute kidney failure occurs in children aged six months to 18 years.

Oleh : Immanuel Citra Senjaya, Katriana/Antara

Editor : Yakop

Governor Names Bukit Kerang, Rumah Melayu As Cultural Heritage Sites

Redaksi    Wednesday, October 19, 2022    Comment   

Governor Names Bukit Kerang, Rumah Melayu As Cultural Heritage Sites

Governor names Bukit Kerang, Rumah Melayu as cultural heritage sites.

Governor names Bukit Kerang, Rumah Melayu as cultural heritage sites.

Tanjungpinang, Riau Islands - Riau Islands Governor Ansar Ahmad has designated Bukit Kerang (Kjokkenmoddinger) and Rumah Melayu (the Malay House) in Bintan as cultural heritage sites that need to be protected.

"The Bukit Kerang site and the Malay House have a long history of more than a century old, which will definitely attract domestic and international tourists," acting head of the Riau Islands Tourism Office, Luki Zaiman Prawira, said here on Wednesday.

Through a gubernatorial decree following a district head's decree in 2017, the Bukit Kerang site and Rumah Melayu were designated as cultural heritages on September 2, 2022, head of the Bintan Tourism Office, Arif Sumarsono, informed.

"The Bukit Kerang and Rumah Melayu sites are not really popular outside Bintan Island, so we will promote them to attract tourists," he said.

Bukit Kerang is located in an oil palm plantation in Kawal Darat, Gunung Kijang sub-district, five kilometers from the coastline.

Bukit Kerang is essentially a hill formed from piles of shells of mollusks that live in brackish water and muddy estuaries, which have been consumed by coastal communities in the past and even now.

Some artifacts have also been found around the site such as scavenging tools, tools crafted from clam shells, hand axes, as well as fragments of skulls.

Meanwhile, the Malay House, also known as Rumah Tua, or Old House, is located 100 meters from a Navy post in Berakit village.

The pyramid-shaped house was built by Haji Jalil and his son Haji Akob in 1908, and has been inhabited since 1911. The house is still inhabited by Ali Wardana, 40, the great-grandchild of Haji Jalil, who works as a traditional fisherman.

The house was inherited by Hanawati, Wardana's female cousin.

"Inheritance is given to women not because of custom, but rather they are closer to their parents, while men spend more time working," Wardana explained.

The shape of the stilt house was never changed, including the foundation made from kapor and merbau (intsia) wood.

Oleh : Nikolas P, Kenzu

Editor : Yakop