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Monday, November 14, 2022

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Education An Important Part Of Sustainable Development: Minister

Jakarta - Education is an important part of sustainable development, Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, Nadiem Anwar Makarim, said in Serangan Island, Bali, on Monday.

"Education has become an important part of our strategy to create a sustainable future for Indonesia," he added.

In the past 20 years, there has been the most radical transformation in education, Makarim noted.

In the past three years, the Ministry of Education and Culture has changed the way of measuring the quality of education in Indonesia, he said.

Currently, the ministry is focusing on the building of basic competencies, such as computing, logic, critical thinking, and problem-solving, he said. This is a major transformation in the world of education, the minister added.

"We have changed the way we assessed the system and have sent a signal of massive change in the whole image of educational institutions today. Some 140 thousand schools, or almost 50 percent of our schools in this country, have implemented a new curriculum focused on project-based learning," he informed.

In addition, the ministry has also carried out projects related to climate change, inter-religious tolerance, and entrepreneurship related to local diversity, among others.

Besides, Makarim said that his ministry is also cooperating with world-class industries and world-class non-profit institutions.

"As many as 400 thousand students in tertiary institutions have, in the last two years, started project-based learning that conducts research and shares knowledge in the field of technology," he added.

All parties bear the responsibility of ensuring that the next generation is able to grow up and take over leadership positions in the country, he said.

Meanwhile, president of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Solutions Network, Jeffrey Sachs, lauded the educational transformation carried out by the Ministry of Education and Culture.

"Indonesia must be proud to have a minister like him. What Minister Makarim is doing and all the transformations that are being carried out in Indonesia's education sector are being discussed by the world," Sachs remarked.

Oleh : Indriani, Resinta Sulistiyandari/Antara

Editor : Yakop

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L20: Public-private cooperation crucial for tackling employment issues

L20: Public-private cooperation crucial for tackling employment issues.

Kuta, Bali - Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto underscored the importance of cooperation between the public and private sectors to address various employment issues.

"Workers and the government are partners for (national) development," he remarked while attending the Labor 20 (L20) Summit here on Monday.

The L20 is an engagement group of the G20 Sherpa Track that discusses various employment aspects involving several labor unions of G20 countries and global union federations.

The L20 Summit was held on November 12-14, 2022, in Bali.

The government is highly aware of the importance of strengthening social protection, improving the skills of the new workforce, as well as increasing the skills of the existing workforce, the coordinating minister remarked.

Hartarto assessed that the skills are necessary for workers to adapt to various changes in the employment sector due to digitalization.

"(Encouraging workers in) gaining new skills is the essence of L20 that emphasizes the importance of (post-pandemic) recovery of workers, so that they become more resilient to challenges," he stated.

At the forum, he said that the Pre-Employment Card Program is one of the Indonesian government's attempts to prepare the workforce to have a set of skills required by the industry.

The program also supports the acceleration of digitization in Indonesia through online learning.

The Pre-Employment Card is also a form of financial inclusion for the community. The government directly transfers cash assistance of the program to the recipients’ bank account or electronic wallet.

"This is a government-to-people program," Hartarto remarked.

He also appealed to all business players to prepare a conducive work environment for all workers, including those with disabilities.

The Indonesian government has necessitated all companies to employ disabled people to constitute at least one percent of the total number of their employees.

"With an inclusive and conducive work environment, high (work) productivity can be achieved," the coordinating minister remarked.

Hence, Hartarto's side will strive to strengthen cooperation between the government and the L20 in dealing with various challenges amid the ongoing pandemic and current global crises.

"We have to work together and be united, so we can recover together (and) recover stronger," he added.

Oleh : Natisha Andarningtyas, Uyu Liman/Antara

Editor : Yakop

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G20 Success Collective Responsibility Of Member States: RI President

G20 Success Collective Responsibility Of Member States: RI President.

Badung, Bali - The success of the G20 Summit is the collective responsibility of G20 member states and the global community has high expectations from the grouping, according to Indonesian President Joko Widodo.

"The success of G20 (Summit) is the collective responsibility of the entire G20 member states," Widodo said during a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Monday ahead of the G20 Summit in Bali.

The President affirmed that the global community has high expectations that the G20 will be a catalyst for global recovery.

He also expressed gratitude for Japan's continued support for Indonesia's G20 Presidency.

Regarding economic cooperation with Japan, the President pushed for the completion of the Indonesia-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (IJEPA).

Widodo also lauded the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the Jakarta MRT expansion project earlier on Monday and the joint feasibility study for the third phase of the Jakarta MRT last October.

"I hope for Your Excellency's support to ensure the MRT project could complete on time," he said.

During their meeting, Widodo and Kishida also discussed regional cooperation, with the Indonesian President highlighting the importance of maintaining regional stability and peace as well as developing regional green industry.

Widodo pointed out that Indonesia's ASEAN chairmanship in 2023 will coincide with the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-Japan relations.

"I encourage the concrete and synergic implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) and the Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP). Next year, Indonesia will also encourage the engagement of the Pacific countries with the ASEAN. Indonesia also invites Japan to bolster cooperation with Pacific countries," he said.

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, Transport Minister Budi Karya Sumadi, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Arifin Tasrif, and director general of Asia-Pacific and Africa at the Foreign Ministry, Abdul Kadir Jailani, accompanied President Widodo to the bilateral meeting.

Oleh : Rangga Pandu AJ, Nabil Ihsan/Antara

Editor : Yakop

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Indonesia Denounces Lethal Terrorist Attack On Istanbul's Taksim Area

Indonesia Denounces Lethal Terrorist Attack On Istanbul's Taksim Area.

Jakarta - The Indonesian Government condemned a terrorist attack on Turkey's city of Istanbul's Istiklal Avenue in the Taksim area on Sunday in which six people were killed and 81 suffered injuries.

According to a statement issued by the Indonesian Embassy in Ankara on Monday, none of the Indonesian citizens in Istanbul had fallen victims to the bomb blast.

As of Monday, no reports were received of Indonesians falling victims to the blast, the embassy revealed.

Moreover, the Indonesian Embassy in Ankara and the Indonesian Consulate General in Istanbul continue to coordinate with local authorities and Indonesian community members staying near the Taksim area," the embassy remarked.

The pedestrian street where the bomb explosion occurred is one of the popular destinations for Indonesians and other foreign tourists visiting Istanbul.

According to the Indonesian Consulate General in Istanbul, some 500 Indonesians currently reside in the city. Hence, Indonesians are urged to stay alert and avoid crowded places unless necessary.

The Indonesian Government in Jakarta condemned the attack and expected that those responsible for the deadly blast could immediately be brought to justice.

The Indonesian Government also highly lauded Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for his decision to continue to participate in the G20 Leaders' Summit in Bali Island scheduled to be held on Nov 15-16.

Meanwhile, according to TRTWorld, Istiklal Avenue has been reopened to pedestrian traffic, and local authorities had apprehended the suspect, who left the bomb on the crowded street.

"The order for the deadly terror attack came from Ayn al Arab in northern Syria, where the PKK/PYD has its Syrian headquarters," Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu was quoted as saying on Monday.

"Terror attacks against civilians are direct and indirect consequences of some countries' support for terror groups," Turkey's Communications Director Fahrettin Altun was quoted by TRTWorld as saying.

According to TRTWorld, PYD and YPG are the political and armed wings of the PKK in Syria, while Turkey, the United States, and the European Union recognize PKK as a "terrorist organization."

Pewarta : Rahmad Nasution/Antara

Editor : Yakop

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G20: MP Urges Indonesia To Remain Alert To Security Threats

G20: MP Urges Indonesia To Remain Alert To Security Threats.

Jakarta - A member of parliament urged the Indonesian government to maintain constant vigil to all forms of security threats despite its all-out efforts to secure and safeguard Bali's two-day G20 Summit that commences on Tuesday.

"I appeal (to the government) to continue intensifying security measures to (prevent) those looking to disrupt the G20 Leaders' Summit from going ahead with their unlawful plans," Christina Aryani stated here, Monday.

Aryani, a member of the House of Representatives' (DPR's) Commission I that oversees security and foreign affairs, said she remains optimistic about Indonesia's readiness for safeguarding and securing the summit.

With the G20 Summit taking place in Nusa Dua, Bali Island, on November 15-16, Indonesia's reputation and credibility are at stake, so any form of security disturbance must be wiped out, she remarked.

"Considering the attention that Mr President, chiefs of the Indonesian Defence Forces and National Police, as well as other state officials have paid to this G20 Summit, we must appreciate the government's hard work," she affirmed.

Meanwhile, several G20 leaders, including US President Joseph R. Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, had arrived in Indonesia's resort island of Bali to attend the summit.

Coordinating Minister for Maritime and Investment Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan confirmed that preparations were 100-percent complete for the summit.

While visiting the Bali Police Command Centre on November 10, the coordinating minister said that security arrangements had been finalized by the military and police, and advanced technologies would be applied to maintain security at the G20 Summit.

"I see that the police and military become the ones to secure the G20 Summit. While bolstering their professionalism, the police have also utilized newer technologies that could be linked with the military," he noted.

At the Command Centre, he assessed that the deployed police and military officers as well as non-uniformed security officers are ready to conduct their duties at their respective posts.

Formed in 1999, the Group of Twenty (G20) currently has 20 members: the United States, Argentina, Brazil, Australia, Canada, Mexico, Turkey, Indonesia, South Korea, Japan, China, Germany, Britain, India, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Italy, France, Russia, and the European Union.

In connection with Biden's participation in the summit, according to a press statement issued recently by the White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, President Biden would be in Bali until Nov 16.

"In Bali, the president will commend President Widodo's leadership of the G20," she noted in her statement on Biden's travel plans to North Africa and Asia that was released by the White House on October 28.

At the G20 Summit, Biden will highlight the US commitment to the premier forum for economic cooperation whose members represent over 80 percent of the world’s gross domestic product (GDP), she remarked.

"He will work with G20 partners to address key challenges, such as climate change, the global impact of Putin's war on Ukraine, including on energy and food security and affordability, and a range of other priorities important to the global economic recovery," she added. (INE)

Pewarta : Rahmad Nasution/Antara

Editor : Yakop

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Jokowi praises Japan's support for Indonesia's G20 Presidency

Jokowi praises Japan's support for Indonesia's G20 Presidency.

Bali - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) commended Japan's support for Indonesia's G20 Presidency as well as for other concrete projects that have been established.

"Your Excellency, (I am) very happy that we are able to meet again today, and I laud Japan's support for Indonesia's G20 Presidency and for the support of various concrete projects," Jokowi told Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during a bilateral meeting here on Monday.

PM Kishida also praised Jokowi for welcoming him to a side meeting ahead of the implementation of the G20 Summit to be held on November 15-16.

Regarding the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Indonesia in 2023, Kishida believes that the partnership between the two countries will continue to strengthen.

"Next year (2023), Indonesia will become the chairman of ASEAN, and Japan will become the G7 Chairman. Next year also coincides with the historic 50th anniversary of ASEAN and Japan cooperation. I want to continue to work closely with Indonesia in addressing issues in the region and issues globally, including efforts to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific," the prime minister remarked.

PM Kishida and his wife Yuko Kishida arrived in Bali early Monday morning at around 12:30 a.m. local time to attend the G20 Summit.

Based on the Communication and Informatics Ministry's YouTube live stream, Kishida arrived following other G20 leaders that had landed first in Bali, including US President Joe Biden.

Heads of state and delegates and other invited guests will continue to arrive until November 15, the day before the G20 Summit on November 16.

At the I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport after landing from Cambodia on Sunday evening (November 13), President Jokowi stated that the presence of 17 leaders of G20 countries is positive news on account of the fact that the global situation is currently challenging.

Oleh : Rangga J, Kenzu/Antara

Editor : Yakop

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L20 Discusses Social Protection Issues For Workers

L20 Discusses Social Protection Issues For Workers.

Kuta, Bali - Delegations at the L20 summit event discussed three key issues that they raised in the G20 engagement group, including social protection for workers.

Various tragedies that occur significantly affect human prosperity across the world, Head of Indonesia G20 Presidency's L20 Elly Rosita Silaban noted here Sunday.

L20 is an engagement group from the G20 sherpa track that discusses the issue of manpower. The forum comprises trade unions from G20 members and Global Union Federations.

G20 is a multilateral cooperation group that comprises 19 countries and the European Union (EU). Indonesia, which is holding the presidency of the grouping this year, will host the G20 Summit in Bali this month.

In Indonesia's G20 Presidency, L20 raised the theme of New Social Contract described within the three main issues of digital platform workers' protection, decent job, and national social insurance coverage.

The crises that occur recently comprised the COVID-19 pandemic, war, inflation, climate crisis, and rising living cost, thereby make it difficult for several countries to provide social protection benefits based on need.

These crises highlight the need to develop an inclusive and rapid delivery system from social protection benefits to those in need of it, Silaban said.

She deemed that the challenge can be resolved by expanding manpower protection, work safety and health, and social protection scheme coverage to digital platform workers.

Manpower regulation should also reach digital platform workers, so that they receive protection and access to social insurance, she noted.

The L20 meeting also discussed the climate crisis, specifically for the Southeast Asian region that bears the risk of losing residential area and infrastructure due to the rise in sea levels.

L20 is supported by the Indonesian Trade Union Confederation (KSBSI), the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), and Trade Union Advisory Committee (TUAC) within the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

Oleh : Natisha A, Fadhli Ruhman/Antara

Editor : Yakop

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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

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Biden congratulates Indonesia on successful G20

Biden congratulates Indonesia on successful G20.

Jakarta - United States President Joe Biden, during a meeting with Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Bali on Monday, congratulated Indonesia on a successful G20 and its presidency of the grouping.

President Biden congratulated Indonesia on a successful G20 and G20 Presidency, the US Embassy in Jakarta informed in a statement issued on Monday.

During the meeting, President Biden underscored the importance of the US-Indonesia Strategic Partnership and the two leaders discussed ways to strengthen it.

The US President also expressed support for Indonesia’s leadership in the Indo-Pacific as the world’s third-largest democracy and a strong proponent of the international rules-based order.

The two leaders also discussed Indonesia’s upcoming chairmanship of ASEAN in 2023, with President Biden reiterating the United States’ commitment to ASEAN centrality and support for the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific.

During the meeting, President Widodo expressed appreciation for President Biden's joining the G20 Summit in Indonesia.

"President Biden, welcome to Bali. I appreciate your presence at the G20 Summit," Widodo said.

He also expressed the hope that the G20 Summit would produce concrete cooperation.

"I hope that this G20 Summit will be able to produce concrete cooperation that can help the world in the global economic recovery process," he said.

The Indonesian government is hoping for flexibility from all participating countries so that concrete commitments can be achieved from the G20 Summit.

Pewarta : Yuni Arisandy Sinaga/Antara

Editor : Yakop

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German Chancellor attends G20 Summit to boost international order

German Chancellor attends G20 Summit to boost international order.

Jakarta - German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is travelling to Indonesia to attend the G20 Summit and to some other Southeast Asian countries to strengthen international order and trade relations.

Chancellor Scholz departed on a trip to Southeast Asia on Saturday (November 12), the German Embassy in Jakarta noted in a statement on Monday.

One of the main agendas of the German Chancellor's visit is his participation in the G20 Summit in Bali, Indonesia, preceded by stops in Vietnam and Singapore.

During his visit to Southeast Asia, Scholz will hold talks that focus on promoting free and open rules-based trade with Asia and strengthen global order and stability.

"The four-day trip is taking place in light of Germany's increased engagement in the Indo-Pacific region," the German Embassy stated.

Chancellor Scholz is expected to arrive in Bali on Monday evening. The two-day G20 summit will then commence on Tuesday under the theme of the Indonesian G20 Presidency: "Recover Together, Recover Stronger".

In a total of three working sessions, the heads of state and government of the G20 members will exchange views on the key issues of global food security, sustainable energy transition, global health architecture, and digital transformation.

Prior to the trip to Bali, the German Chancellor will have his first stopover in Hanoi to meet with Vietnamese government representatives and hold a business roundtable on Sunday (November 13).

In his second stopover in Singapore, Scholz participates in the 17th Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business (APK) taking place on November 13-14 in Singapore.

Chancellor Scholz will travel back to Berlin on Wednesday evening (November 16).

Pewarta : Yuni Arisandy Sinaga/Antara

Editor : Yakop

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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

Friday, November 11, 2022

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