VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOINews, Jakarta - Indonesia is committed to achieving its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and net zero emission targets by 2050 or sooner.

"In the long run, there are opportunities for the development of solar and geothermal power facilities," advisor to the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Ego Syahrial, noted in a statement received here on Thursday.

Syahrial made the statement at the Just Energy Transition Conference, themed "Pathways to a Prosperous Indonesia - Powered by Renewable Energy," held by the European Union Delegation (EUD) to Indonesia on October 24-25 in Jakarta.

The conference brought together various stakeholders in the energy sector, ranging from the government, international organizations, the private sector, and civil society.

Syahrial noted that Indonesia also seeks to accelerate energy transition by developing hydropower, nuclear, and green hydrogen facilities along with the total phase-out of coal-fired power plants by 2058.

Deputy for Maritime Affairs and Natural Resources of the National Development Planning Ministry (Bappenas), Vivi Yulaswati, stated that a green economy and net zero policies are important in realizing Indonesia's long-term development plan.

"Green financing, such as carbon tax and carbon pricing, will be the main instruments in the implementation (of net zero programs)," she remarked.

Director General of New, Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation of the ESDM Ministry, Yudho Dwinanda Priaadi, stated that Indonesia seeks to optimize coverage of renewable energy through the super grid project.

The super grid development aims to integrate the electricity grid throughout the islands in Indonesia.

He remarked that Indonesia is also able to supply electricity to remote islands by converting diesel power plants to environmentally friendly hybrid batteries.

EU Ambassador to Indonesia, Denis Chaibi, revealed that the European team has confirmed a €2.4 billion-worth commitment for the Just Energy Transition Partnership in Indonesia. (Antaranews)

VOINews, Jakarta - Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises (MenKopUKM) Minister Teten Masduki on Thursday met with a South African business delegation seeking to explore cooperation with Indonesia on developing micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

"Indonesia and South Africa can cooperate in plenty of potential aspects, such as supply chain, marketing, transfer of research and technology, and the strengthening of export policy strategies," Minister Masduki explained in Jakarta on Thursday.

The minister observed that South Africa is a very promising market for the Indonesian manufacturing industry.

He also noted that the value of Indonesian exports to South Africa reached US$1 million in 2022, with the goods shipped comprising several highly promising products, such as palm oil-based commodities, soaps, coffee, motorized vehicles, pipes, sauces, paper, and rubber goods.

To bolster exports, the ministry's SMESCO Indonesia has built a hub at a strategic location in Nusa Dua, Bali province, in the hopes of providing entrepreneurs and investors with a center for innovation and collaboration, he informed.

"To ensure the sustainable success and growth of MSMEs, it is important for us to support them by providing the required resources," he said.

He then expressed the hope that Indonesia and South Africa would be able to identify new cooperation opportunities that are focused on helping MSME players develop their businesses.

"Hopefully, in the future, both countries will cooperate in developing supply chain infrastructure, or in other matters, to empower MSMEs, so they can boost the national economy of the two countries," he said.

Meanwhile, the leader of the South African delegation, Sipho Shoba, said that his party wanted to capture a detailed picture of the wholesale sector in Indonesia.

Shoba, an official with the South African Wholesale and Retail Sector Education and Training Authority, informed that the delegates also aimed to identify common problems faced by MSMEs, while obtaining information on how Indonesia supports its MSME players.

In addition, the delegation sought to find applicable alternative solutions to problems faced by actors in the wholesale and retail sector, Shoba added. (Antaranews)

VOINews, Jakarta - Communication and Informatics Ministry's (Kominfo's) Director General of Public Information and Communication Usman Kansong expressed hope that the state media would strengthen its position as a "clearing house" for various information circulating on social media.

"There are some requirements for state media in being a clearing house," Kansong remarked while opening a forum group discussion (FGD) themed "The Role of State Media in the Making the 2024 Elections Peaceful" here on Thursday.

State media, including ANTARA News Agency, national radio broadcasting institution RRI, and public broadcaster TVRI, attended the FGD.

Kansong remarked that the state media, in being a clearing house for the flow of information, should be independent and that independence must be measured.

"The question is who are we siding with? It is something like that," he remarked.

He admitted that no mass media, including state media, is completely independent.

"We align with who? If we look at it, the right term (for ANTARA, RRI, and TVRI) is 'public media', not state media. That is, public broadcaster, public radio, public television," he explained.

In addition, he said that state media must, of course, side with the government as an organizational entity or agency and "not side with the government as individuals."

"Siding with the government, not with its officials. Stand with the state as an entity, not individuals," Kansong remarked.

On a separate occasion, Deputy Minister of Communication and Informatics Nezar Patria stated that his side continues to supervise the radio frequency spectrum to prevent various potential abuses, especially during the 2024 elections.

Patria remarked that the dissemination of hoaxes and disinformation related to elections can be done through various means, including illegal radio frequency channels.

"We need to participate in making the 2024 election safe by securing our (radio) frequency space," he noted in the ministry's statement. (Antaranews)

VOINews, Jakarta - The Jakarta Health Office continues to conduct case detection efforts against mpox by tracing close contacts for 24 hours to prevent spread of the disease.

“We carry out a 24-hour investigation, including close contact tracing, to check the spread of cases,” Head of the Jakarta Health Office Ani Ruspitawati confirmed here on Thursday.

Detection efforts have been conducted because, as of October 25, the mpox case count in Jakarta has reached 13.

Of the total 13 mpox patients, 12 are still undergoing isolation at hospitals, while one patient has recovered.

Nine people are categorized as suspects or those suspected of having mpox symptoms.

In addition, the Jakarta Health Office continues to follow up on the findings of suspected or probable cases of mpox from health facilities in Jakarta. The office continues to coordinate with the Ministry of Health regarding case finding, recording, and reporting.

According to Ruspitawati, regional public hospitals in Jakarta as well as the Prof Dr Sulianto Saroso Infectious Disease Hospital can serve as referral hospitals for mpox patients to get further treatment.

This is also aimed at facilitating patients whose house conditions make it difficult to conduct self-isolation.

“If the mpox patient is declared recovered by the doctor, a follow-up test through PCR test or special examination is not necessary. Then, the patient can carry out their activities again like before,” she explained.

The health office has also coordinated with other institutions that must be alert against mpox spread, including those engaged in handling the health of animals and wild animals in Jakarta.

The coordination includes risk assessment and disseminating information about mpox to the public through various information media. Currently, mpox vaccination is still being administered to groups vulnerable to the infection.

Moreover, the Jakarta Health Office continues to communicate about the risks in accordance with the Mpox Prevention and Control Guidelines of the Ministry of Health, especially to certain groups. (Antaranews)