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Thursday, October 20, 2022

Kanjuruhan Deaths Caused By Tear Gas Use: Minister

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

All Indonesia Football Association Chief Answers Police Summons In Kanjuruhan Probe

All Indonesia Football Association Chief Answers Police Summons In Kanjuruhan Probe
All Indonesia Football Association (PSSI) chief Mochamad Iriawan and deputy chief Iwan Budianto on Thursday (October 20, 2022) answered a summons from the East Java Provincial Police to undergo questioning as witnesses in connection with the October 1 stampede at Kanjuruhan Stadium, Malang district. (Foto Didik Suhartono/rwa)
Surabaya, E Java - All Indonesia Football Association (PSSI) Chief Mochamad Iriawan and his deputy chief Iwan Budianto on Thursday answered a police summons to undergo questioning as witnesses in connection with the October 1, 2022, stampede at Kanjuruhan Stadium, Malang.

Iriawan and Budianto arrived at the East Java Provincial Police Headquarters around 1 p.m. with PSSI assistant chief for East Java, Ahmad Riyadhi.

“Today, I met a summons from the investigator," Irawan said.

Chief of the Public Relations Division of the National Police Headquarters Inspector General Dedi Prasetyo said that Irawan and Busianto prepared for the questioning a few days after they filed a request for rescheduling it.

"According to the plan, PSSI chief Mr. MI and PSSI deputy chief Mr. IB will be questioned today. They are still on their way (to the East Java Provincial Police). What is clear is that they have confirmed a plan to show up," Prasetyo informed on Thursday.

Earlier, Irawan had filed a request for the rescheduling of his questioning, which was originally planned for October 18, 2022.

At the time, Irawan said that he had to accompany President Joko Widodo to a meeting with Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) president Gianni Infantino in Jakarta on October 18. Budianto had also filed a request for rescheduling his questioning citing the same reason.

As part of its probe into the Kanjuruhan tragedy, the investigating team also sought clarification from doctors at Saiful Anwar Hospital in Malang as expert witnesses.

"The process is part of efforts to expedite the investigation in accordance with the order from the National Police chief that the case must be resolved soon," Prasetyo said.

The stampede, which broke out following a football match between Arema FC and Persebaya Surabaya at Kanjuruhan Stadium, 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

Ministry Prioritizing Covid-19 Vaccination For Travelers

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

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

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

Ministry Promotes Active Lifestyle For Preventing Osteoporosis

Ministry Promotes Active Lifestyle For Preventing Osteoporosis
Ministry Promotes Active Lifestyle For Preventing Osteoporosis.
Jakarta - The Ministry of Health has encouraged the community to lead an active lifestyle in order to prevent osteoporosis early on.

"We hope the community would become more aware of bone health. Let us implement a healthy lifestyle together," Head of the Sports Health Work Team of the Ministry of Health, Ari Setyaningrum, stated here on Thursday.

She explained that osteoporosis is one of the noncommunicable diseases that not only burdened the economy but also decreased work productivity since, in general, the treatment of osteoporosis patients took a long time.

Setyaningrum further drew attention to several steps that can be taken to maintain bone health, such as increasing physical activity through proper, measurable, and regular exercise. Exercise can be done at least 30 minutes per day and thrice to five times each week.

"The (forms of) exercise includes aerobics, strength, flexibility, and balance training. These need to be done in order to optimize physical health," she emphasized.

Apart from scaling up physical activity, the community is also urged to continue to follow a healthy, nutritious diet. She called on the community to consume foods containing calcium, protein, vitamins, mineral, and magnesium that are essential for bone health.

In addition, getting vitamin D from adequate sun exposure as well as avoiding cigarettes and alcohol are some of the efforts to prevent osteoporosis.

Individuals already having risk factors, such as age, family history, and long-term medicine consumption, are also urged to be more aware of the disease.

"We must detect it early on for prevention," she pointed out.

Lastly, she advised people to maintain a healthy weight as part of preventive efforts.

Setyaningrum assessed that World Osteoporosis Day, commemorated every October 20, must become a reminder to prevent and control osteoporosis jointly.

"Osteoporosis is a silent disease. Thus, we must make efforts with partners and other stakeholders to prevent and control it," she remarked.

Oleh : Nanien Yuniar, Raka Adji/Antara
Editor : Yakop

Health Ministry Finds Harmful Substances In Syrup Medicines

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

Wednesday, October 19, 2022

Global Trust In Indonesia Shows Improvement: Jokowi

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oleh : Indra Arief P, Resinta S
Editor : Yakop

BPOM Details Guidelines For Drug Syrup Consumption

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

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

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

Kimia Farma, Malaysian Company Collaborate In Laboratory Services

Kimia Farma, Malaysian Company Collaborate In Laboratory Services
State-owned pharmaceutical firm PT Kimia Farma established cooperation with a medical laboratory services provider from Malaysia, Pantai Premier Pathology Sdn. Bhd. to develop diagnostic laboratory services.
Jakarta - State-owned pharmaceutical firm PT Kimia Farma forged cooperation with a medical laboratory services provider from Malaysia to foster the development of diagnostic laboratory services.

The cooperation agreed on the provision of assistance and technical knowledge support for the development of diagnostic laboratory services. Thus, through implementation of the collaboration, Kimia Farma can enhance the quality and services of its laboratories.

President Director of PT Kimia Farma David Utama, in his statement here on Wednesday, stated that his firm continues to make efforts to provide easier access to health services to the community through its pharmacy, health clinic, and diagnostic laboratory networks spread across Indonesia.

"Currently, Kimia Farma has 72 diagnostic laboratories. Kimia Farma took a step to improve laboratory services to (match) international standards through cooperation with Pantai Premier Pathology Sdn. Bhd.," he remarked.

The cooperation between Kimia Farma and Pantai Premier Pathology covers human resource development programs through training and competency improvement, supported by the transfer of knowledge and technology between the two parties.

By exchanging knowledge and technology, Kimia Farma is optimistic of increasing and expanding the range of expertise in the aspect of human resources and service quality.

Pantai Premier Pathology Chief Executive Officer Mohd Hareeff Muhammed said his side is honored to be working with Kimia Farma to conduct healthcare transformation and health improvement for Indonesians.

"As one of the providers of comprehensive diagnostic services in Malaysia and part of the IHH Laboratory, we (Pantai Premier Pathology) hope to share knowledge and expertise with Kimia Farma and improve diagnostic services in Indonesia," he remarked.

Through the signing of a memorandum of understanding, Kimia Farma and Pantai Premier Pathology targeted to record an increase in service excellence, human resource skills, and leading technology, so that Kimia Farma can become the best provider in Indonesia.

Oleh : Citro Atmoko, Raka Adji/Antara
Editor : Yakop

Sustainable Business Development Needs Women's Participation: Minister

Sustainable business development needs women's participation: Minister
Minister of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Bintang Puspayoga. (ANTARA/ HO-Kemen PPPA)
Jakarta - Minister of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Bintang Puspayoga encourages sustainable business development with a gender perspective and involves the participation of women.

"There will be no sustainable development without equal participation of women and men," Minister Puspayoga noted in a statement here, Wednesday.

According to Puspayoga, this effort aims to achieve the 5th Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically attaining gender equality and empowering women, especially in the business world.

She said Indonesia has a population of over 270 million people and is the fourth most populous country in the world.

"Almost half of our population is women and about 70 percent of the population is of the working age. Moreover, half of our MSMEs are also owned and run by women," she stated.

Based on this figure, Puspayoga is optimistic that women's empowerment would have a major impact on the nation, especially in achieving the SDGs.

The ministry also encourages the participation of business actors, both individuals and companies, to create businesses with a gender perspective.

"I hope all participants of the B20 Sustainability 4.0 Awards can see through the lens of gender in implementing programs and creating innovations," the minister noted.

The B20 Sustainability 4.0 Awards are bestowed on businesses and individuals, who create innovations in improving inclusive sustainability practices through three pillars.

The three pillars of the sustainable development goals comprise access to clean water (SDGs 6), reduction and reuse of plastics (SDGs 12), and women in sustainability (SDGs 5).

The development of women-run micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), including those producing sharia fashion, will help advance the national economy, Governor of Bank Indonesia (BI) Perry Warjiyo earlier noted.

"Advancing MSMEs will not only help women to support their families but also create future leaders for Indonesia and advance the national economy," he remarked at the opening of the Indonesia International Modest Fashion Festival (IN2MOTIONFEST) here on Thursday.

As many as two-thirds of Indonesia's MSMEs are being managed by women, who are also handling and tending to their children, so they need to be supported to become leaders of the nation, he noted.

Pewarta : Azis Kurmala/Antara
Editor : Yakop

MIND ID Strives To Implement Circular Economy To Reach NZE

MIND ID Strives To Implement Circular Economy To Reach NZE
MIND ID Strives To Implement Circular Economy To Reach NZE.
Pangkalpinang, Bangka Belitung -  State-run mining industry holding Mining Industry Indonesia (MIND ID) intensifies the application of circular economy in the company’s operation to achieve net zero emissions (NZE).

"The MIND ID Group continues to be committed to promoting the (application of) smart mining in conducting operational activities," president director of the enterprise Hendi Prio Santoso stated at the State-owned Enterprise’s (SOE’s) Commitment on Net Zero Emissions Panel of G20 Side Event SOE International Conference, as quoted from a press release  on Wednesday.

Santoso remarked that the holding company, comprising PT Aneka Tambang Tbk, PT Bukit Asam Tbk, PT Freeport Indonesia, PT Inalum (Persero), and PT Timah Tbk, remained committed to realizing NZE through the application of a circular economy.

"This (circular economy) approach encourages companies to optimize production, reduce risks, minimize (negative) environmental and social impacts, as well as explore more added value throughout the value chain," he remarked.

The members of MIND ID apply eco-friendly technology, with focus on reducing fuel consumption in mining and mining exploration, he stated.

"We are targeting to reduce emissions by one percent in 2022," the president director stated at the G20 side event held in Bali on Tuesday (October 18, 2022).

Santoso emphasized that the commitment shows the company's attempts to reduce emissions from the energy as well as industrial process and product uses (IPPU) sectors by 15.8 percent in 2030 and to support the Indonesian government's vision to realize NZE in 2060.

“The MIND ID Group's circular economic concept comprised three decarbonization (implementation) pillars, namely Avoid, Reduce, and Mitigate,” he remarked.

Santoso remarked that the "Avoid" pillar highlights the MIND ID Group's commitment to providing, investing, and enhancing low-carbon energy solutions across the value chain.

Furthermore, the "Reduce" pillar reiterates the holding’s attempts to limit emissions as much as possible, while the "Mitigate" pillar underscores the MIND ID Group’s efforts to implement offsetting and carbon capture.

The president director remarked that the principle of circular economy is utilizing resources and raw materials as long as possible as well as manufacturing reusable and recyclable end products with minimal by-products.

Oleh : Aprionis, Uyu Liman/Antara
Editor : Yakop

Indonesia's Trade Balance Records Surplus Amid Global Risks: Ministry

Indonesia's Trade Balance Records Surplus Amid Global Risks: Ministry
Head of the Fiscal Policy Agency (BKF) of the Ministry of Finance Febrio Kacaribu. (ANTARA/AstridFaidlatulHabibah/ak)
Jakarta - Head of the Fiscal Policy Agency (BKF) of the Ministry of Finance Febrio Kacaribu stated that Indonesia's trade balance in September 2022 had recorded a surplus of up to US$4.99 billion amid global risk awareness.

Cumulatively, Indonesia's trade balance surplus from January to September 2022 had reached US$39.87 billion, which was much higher than the peak of the commodity period in 2011 when it amounted to US$22.2 billion.

"This achievement also indicates a surplus that has occurred for 29 consecutive months," Kacaribu stated in Jakarta, Wednesday.

On a quarterly basis, net export performance was also quite good, so it became one of the driving factors for GDP growth in the third quarter of the current year and 2022 as a whole.

The surplus occurred, as Indonesia's exports in September 2022 had a positive performance of US$24.80 billion, or grew by 20.28 percent (yoy), driven by oil and gas and non-oil exports, with growth of 41.8 percent (yoy) and 19.26 percent (yoy) respectively.

Despite monthly slowdown due to declining prices and volume of leading commodities, total exports increased during the January-September 2022 period, reaching US$219.35 billion, or an increase of US$55 billion as compared to US$164.32 billion recorded during the same period in 2021.

Kacaribu said the cumulative increase in exports shows that global demand is still strong in line with better pandemic control, such as from India, Japan, and South Korea.

The increase in Indonesia's exports from January to September 2022 was driven by oil and gas exports that were still growing at 38.56 percent (ytd), while non-oil and gas exports grew at 33.21 percent (ytd).

In the meanwhile, the mining sector recorded the highest growth, reaching 91.98 percent (ytd), followed by the manufacturing sector that grew 22.23 percent (ytd) in line with the Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) of Indonesian manufacturing that grew in the expansion zone.

Moreover, Indonesia's imports recorded positive performance reaching US$19.81 billion, with a growth of 22.01 percent (yoy), although it was relatively slow as compared to the previous month.

The growth in imports was supported by the Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) of Indonesian manufacturing in September 2022 that continued to expand, oil and gas imports that increased by 83.53 percent (yoy), as well as non-oil and gas imports that grew 14.02 percent (yoy).

From January to September 2022, Indonesia's total imports reached US$179.49 billion and in terms of usage, imports of raw materials and capital goods grew high, 23.21 percent (yoy) and 41.13 percent (yoy) respectively.

With regard to imports of consumer goods, although it decreased on an annual basis by 11.17 percent due to price hikes, cumulatively from January to September, it still grew by 3.52 percent.

"The strengthening of public consumption activities will continue to be maintained through state budget (APBN) instruments by maintaining the people's purchasing power through price stabilization policies, social protection, and others," Kacaribu remarked.

Pewarta : Azis Kurmala/Antara
Editor : Yakop

Indonesia, ICAO Ink MoU On Aviation Training

Indonesia, ICAO Ink MoU On Aviation Training
Indonesian Transportation Minister ​​​​​​​Budi Karya Sumadi (left) and ICAO president Salvatore Sciacchitano (center) hold a press briefing on the sidelines of the G20 aviation dialogue in Nusa Dua, Badung, Bali, on Tuesday (October 18, 2022). (ANTARA/Genta Tenri Mawangi)
Badung, Bali - The Indonesian government and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) have inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to continue training assistance and capacity-building programs in the aviation sector for ICAO member states until 2026.

Indonesian Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi and ICAO president Salvatore Sciacchitano signed the MoU on the sidelines of a G20 aviation dialogue in Nusa Dua, Badung, Bali, on Tuesday.

Sumadi said the agreement is a manifestation of Indonesia's support for the ICAO’s "No Country Left Behind" program, particularly for creating quality human resources in the aviation sector.

Increasing capacity building of human resources is a crucial effort to strengthen aviation safety and security, he said.

"We have a program which ICAO is also carrying out (in the field of human resource capacity building) and according to our records, we are one of the countries which have leading (aviation) campuses, which are reckoned in the world," he added.

Meanwhile, Sciacchitano lauded the Indonesian government's leadership and commitment to increasing aviation safety and security.

"The MoU on training is a very important program for aviation in the future," he said.

ICAO has been running a program called "No Country Left Behind" since 2014 with the aim of mentoring member countries to help them apply the standards and practices recommended by ICAO in the aviation sector, he said.

Currently, 193 countries, including Indonesia, are members of the ICAO.

Indonesia has supported the program "No Country Left Behind" since 2021 through the Developing Countries Training Programme (DCTP), which has been specially designed for human resources in the aviation sector of developing countries.

The training program is entirely funded by Indonesia. The program’s participants, who are from ICAO member countries, receive training on Managing Aviation Training Intelligence (MATI), Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) Verification, and Training Managers Course (TMC).

Oleh : Genta Tenri M, Suharto
Editor : Yakop

Minister Underscores Need For Post-pandemic Aviation Recovery Efforts

Minister Underscores Need For Post-pandemic Aviation Recovery Efforts
Minister Underscores Need For Post-pandemic Aviation Recovery Efforts.
Jakarta - Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan underscored the need for post-pandemic aviation recovery efforts during a dialogue on aviation in Jakarta on Tuesday.

"I (would like to) push this forum to discuss opportunities and challenges facing the aviation industry with regard to aircraft financing and leasing," he said at the online dialogue on “Financial Measures for Aviation Recovery.”

Aviation is one of the important sectors for boosting the global economy, he noted.

He highlighted four main priorities that must be considered to recover the aviation industry.

The first priority is accelerating the recovery of air connectivity that is safe and efficient for tourism and trade.

The second priority is scripting a recovery that pays attention to a sustainable future and environmental conservation.

The third priority is pushing for cooperation among countries, financial institutions, and the international private sector.

The fourth priority is taking advantage of digitalization and technological innovations.

Meanwhile, president of the International Civil Aviation Organization, Salvatore Sciacchitano, lauded the Indonesian government's commitment to recovering the aviation industry.

"This is what makes me come here. Indonesia's role to raise aviation issue becomes the center of attention during Indonesia's G20 Presidency," Sciacchitano, who attended the dialogue in person in Nusa Dua, Bali, said.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the aviation industry has been very extraordinary, he noted.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, an estimated 4.5 billion people traveled by plane each year. However, the number fell by 60 percent during the pandemic, he pointed out.

"In other countries, many airlines closed, but the Indonesian government here gives full support and is present to make recovery efforts," he said.

He further welcomed the signing of a more comprehensive air connectivity agreement between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the European Union (EU), which is expected to accelerate aviation recovery in the two regions and in the world.

"In (our) experience in Europe, liberalization in the aviation world will open up opportunities and competition," he remarked.

Oleh : Adimas Raditya FP, Suharto/Antara
Editor : Yakop

Iranian Embassy Denies Allegations Of Violence Against Mahsa Amini

Iranian Embassy Denies Allegations Of Violence Against Mahsa Amini
Iranian Embassy Denies Allegations Of Violence Against Mahsa Amini.
Jakarta - The Iranian Embassy in Indonesia on Wednesday denied allegations that Mahsa Amini died due to violence committed by the Guidance Patrol, Iran’s morality police, dismissing them as Western and Zionist propaganda.

According to the Iranian Forensic Medicine Organization, Amini died due to cerebral hypoxia, sudden cardiac rhythm disturbance, decreased blood pressure, blood loss, loss of consciousness, and lack of oxygen to the brain.

"We recently often read (about) the developments in the case of Mahsa Amini's death," Iranian Ambassador to Indonesia, Mohammad Khoush Heikal Azad, said at his residence here on Wednesday.

"Thus, we decided to hold a press briefing with all of you to talk about this development," he added.

The tragedy unfolded when Amini was found flouting the hijab regulation and was detained by the Guidance Patrol. She died in the patrol's custody.

When Amini died, several government officials, including the supreme leader, the president, and the head of the supreme court coordinated to investigate the cause of her death, a process which took about a month.

Before the investigation began, various discourses on social media and Western mainstream media brought up the idea that Amini died due to abuse, he noted.

Moreover, the disorder that occurred in the wake of Amini's death was dubbed as a protest for freedom and human rights, he remarked.

However, he said that this description was utilized by the West and Zionist Israel to undermine the current Iranian government, which emerged after the Islamic Revolution.

This undermining of the Iranian government was also reflected in the one-sided sanction imposed by the West. Sanctions, as the UN has informed, have serious repercussions on a country's citizens, he said.

In addition, the ambassador called Western criticism a form of double standard given the various atrocities committed by the West.

Azad said he expects the Indonesian media to maintain objectivity and present various viewpoints while letting the readers be the final arbitrators regarding the Amini case.

Oleh : Fadhli Ruhman) Antara
Editor : Yakop

VP Amin returns from three-day visit to Singapore

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oleh : Rangga Pandu AJ, Suharto/Antara
Editor : Yakop

Use of appropriate technology fueling optimism in villages: ministry

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oleh : Zubi Mahrofi, Mecca Yumna/Antara
Editor : Yakop

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