VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The realization of National Economic Recovery (PEN) funds for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) has reached Rp52.91 trillion as of September 23, 2021, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, has informed.

"As of September 23, the total realization of PEN funds for MSMEs is Rp52.91 trillion with 27.39 million debtors," he informed at a virtual discussion on 'The Role of Banking in the Future Digital Ecosystem of MSMEs' on Thursday.

In addition, he said the government has continued to conduct the PEN program by allocating a special budget of Rp95.13 trillion for the interest subsidy program.

"The interest subsidy program of the government's fund placement in various commercial partner banks aims to support the expansion of working capital loans and the restructuring of MSME loans," he added.

Furthermore, attempts are being made to encourage the improvement of MSMEs by guaranteeing working capital loans through Productive Aid for Micro Enterprises, cash assistance for street vendors and stalls, as well as final income tax incentives for MSMEs, the minister informed.

Moreover, there is additional support in the form of the waiver on the minimum bill and subscription fees for electricity that can be utilized by MSMEs, he said.

Meanwhile, the banking sector is also providing support for credit and financial restructuring programs that can be enjoyed by the business sector, he added.

"Per July 31 (2021), some 3.59 million MSMEs had utilized the program with a value of Rp285.17 trillion," Hartarto noted.

In addition, through the National Movement of Proud of Indonesian Products, the government is trying to encourage the digitalization of offline MSMEs as well as encouraging national branding for prominent MSMEs in various marketplaces, he said.

"The movement is expected to increase the exports of MSME products. Currently, some 7.2 million MSMEs have been onboarding since the launching of the movement," he added.

Furthermore, he emphasized that close coordination with all stakeholders needs to be maintained to improve the competitiveness of MSMEs.

"Various programs initiated by the government will continue to be strengthened and synergized with every stakeholder to support the development of MSMEs, thus the programs can increase the competitiveness of small businesses," he added. (Antaranews)

The Communication and Informatics Ministry (Kominfo) and the Information and Telecommunication Accessibility Agency (BAKTI) have held a meeting with stakeholders to discuss the readiness of the information technology infrastructure for the XX Papua National Games (PON).

"We held a coordination meeting to monitor the IT readiness that so far showed everything is ready. We will prove this readiness report when the event begins," Communication and Informatics Minister Johnny G. Plate said during a recent visit to Jayapura, Papua, according to a press statement issued on Thursday.

The Papua PON will drive digital transformation in Papua and West Papua, and that will not just be during the event, he remarked.

The ministry has underscored the importance of cooperation between governments at the provincial, city, and district levels in constructing the communication and informatics technology infrastructure because it involvesregional land-use planning, the minister said.

Coordinated telecommunication infrastructure planning will yield an optimal reach, he said.

In addition, land status is important to ensure access directness, Plate argued.

"The awareness to own and to maintain the infrastructure on the part of the citizens themselves is also an inseparable aspect," he added.

The coordination meeting for IT readiness was attended by BAKTI primary director Anang Latif, Papua Governor Lukas Enembe, chairman of the Central National Sports Committee (KONI), Marciano Norman, and PT Telkom Primary director Ririek Adriansyah.

During the meeting, Latif said that BAKTI has built 4G base transceiver stations (BTS) at 213 locations in Papua from 2015 to 2020. BAKTI will install 4,380 4G BTS in Papua by 2022, he added.

Meanwhile, 4G BTS have been built in 244 locations in West Papua from 2015 to 2020 and an additional 824 will be installed by 2022, he informed.

BAKTI has also provided free internet access at 373 public service points in 12 cities and districts of West Papua, which will increase by 211 points by the end of this year, he said.

Free internet access has also been provided at 863 public service points in 30 cities and districts of Papua, and their number will increase by 1.882 points by the end of 2021, he added. (Antaranews)

Secretary of the Sports Ministry Gatot S. Dewa Broto believed that everyone would follow health protocols during the XX Papua National Sports Week if related information was disseminated massively.

"As long as we disseminate information on the guidelines, we convey it well. We have a positive appeal, and the public will follow it," Broto noted during a virtual discussion on preparations for the National Sports Week, as seen in Jakarta on Thursday.

The government had earlier decided on an audience cap of 25 percent of the capacity for the Papua National Sports Week for athletes, officials, and spectators.

Broto was confident of the best possible application of health protocols during the event to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The experience of organizing the Sports Ministry Cup, IBL, and Liga 1 Indonesia would be a valuable asset during the National Sports Week later.

"When Liga 1 was being held, the people were a bit pessimistic whether the fans would not come, which were sometimes difficult to control. The fact was when they were asked not to come to the stadium, they could do it," Broto revealed.

He drew attention to the strict imposition of health protocols during the 2021 Sports Ministry Cup. He did not sense any signs of spectators or supporters, who would potentially cause crowding or congregation while passing by the Maguwoharjo Stadium in Sleman.

This condition was attributed to the management that continuously expedited and disseminated information on health protocols.

On the other hand, his administration, in collaboration with the Health Ministry and the COVID-19 Task Force, are currently stipulating the 25-percent capacity for spectators. Strict security will be imposed when spectators will enter the main stadium area during the opening ceremony.

"Hence, at the opening (of the National Sports Week), there will be a procedure to enter the stadium, such as being given a bracelet to indicate whether they are fit or not to enter and then (the requirement of) proof of vaccination. We expect that a PeduliLindungi application will be used, so there is evidence (of vaccination) and (for people to) maintain their distance," he stated.

Head of the Behavior Change Division of the COVID-19 Handling Task Force Sonny Harry B. Harmadi remarked that the National Sports Week will employ a bubble system as a preventive effort.

"Hence, through this bubble system, all participants, comprising athletes, team officials, and committees, are not allowed to conduct activities outside the predetermined activity plan," he noted.

Harmadi noted that the application of a bubble system ensured that all parties involved in the National Sports Week would be safe. All movements using special transportation and the team's destination were ensured to be free from COVID-19 and under control.

"Hence, the hope is that with the bubble system, we can mitigate and reduce the risks of transmission because after all, this is in the midst of the pandemic," he stated. (Antaranews)

Mangrove areas, spanning a total area of 34 thousand hectares (ha), will be rehabilitated this year, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) stated after planting mangrove trees in Tritih Lor Village, Cilacap District. North, Cilacap, Central Java Province, on Thursday.

"We will continue to conduct mangrove rehabilitation, both by the Peat and Mangrove Restoration Agency and also by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry. Our target in 2021 is to cover some 34 thousand hectares," the president noted.

Mangrove rehabilitation is becoming increasingly important for the preservation of mangrove forests that can help to address the ongoing impacts of climate change.

According to the head of state, mangroves are expected to reduce wave energy, protect the coast from abrasion, inhibit water intrusion, and improve coastal habitats and the environment.

Jokowi also expressed hope that the presence of mangrove forests would increase the production of fish and other marine resources. Hence, fishermen can get more fish and be able to earn higher incomes.

"Especially crabs, we just got two crabs earlier. We are optimistic that it would increase the local people's income," according to the president.

Following the mangrove tree planting event, the president and his entourage headed to the state high school SMA Negeri 2 Cilacap to review the implementation of vaccination for students and to greet the vaccination participants at several other schools via video conference.

He also reviewed the implementation of the door-to-door vaccination drive for villagers in the Sentolo Kawat fisherman's area, South Cilacap Sub-district.

Before returning to Jakarta, the head of state released hatchlings on Kemiren Beach, South Cilacap.

President Jokowi's entourage comprised Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung; head of the Presidential Secretariat, Heru Budi Hartono; Presidential Military Secretary M. Tonny Harjono; Commander of the Presidential Security Detail (Paspampres), Major General Tri Budi Utomo; and Deputy for Protocol, Press, and Media at the Presidential Secretariat Bey Machmudin.  (Antaranews)