VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

President Joko Widodo asked his staff to ensure that programs in the social protection net scheme run effectively and on target.

"In the short term, all program schemes related to social protection nets such as PKH, cash assistance, village cash assistance, need to run effectively," he said on a limited meeting via video conference on accelerating village economic improvement, in Jakarta, on Thursday.

The President said that the social protection net scheme must reach people in need, especially rural communities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We need to observe the implementation of cash (program) for the village so it can reduce the burden on rural communities who have lost their jobs or come from poor families in the village," he said.

The President also said that the COVID-19 pandemic should be used as a momentum to improve and reform the grand strategy of transforming the village economy. (Antaranews)

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved a loan worth 500 million US dollars or around Rp7.5 trillion for emergency financing for Indonesia in the event of a natural disaster or disease outbreak such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

ADB Vice President Ahmed M Saeed said in a statement in Jakarta on Wednesday that this disaster resilience loan was beneficial because Indonesia is on the Pacific Ring of Fire and is highly vulnerable to earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, landslides, floods, and drought, and now the COVID-19 outbreak.

"This policy-based lending will help the government respond in a timely manner to such shocks and reduce the economic and social impact on public infrastructure and people's livelihoods, especially the poor and women," he said.

He explained that loans included in the disaster resilience improvement program offer disaster preparedness financing if there is a government declaration about a disaster emergency or health emergency.

To that end, this financing can support Indonesia's reforms in disaster risk management and health services as well as improve disaster resilience among various institutions and communities in Indonesia.

ADB Finance Sector Specialist Benita Ainabe added that the program is aimed at assisting the government in improving environmental sustainability, disaster and climate resilience, and human capital development, including health and gender equality.

"This program will help the government develop a recovery and reconstruction plan with greater certainty, reduce damage to infrastructure, and prevent casualties from falling in future disasters," he said. This program also focuses on three important reform areas, namely, first, to strengthen government policies and action plans in response to health-related disasters and emergencies, including social protection.

Second, increase the resilience of public infrastructure to disaster and climate risks, thereby reducing repair costs. And third, increase financing for disaster risk and pandemic response through insurance, improved health services, and targeted social spending.

The ADB-supported reforms will increase the share of disaster risk management in the national budget to 1 percent, or up from 0.04 percent in 2019, strengthen disaster response coordination among relevant ministries and agencies, and expand protection for vulnerable groups.

Overall, this resilience program reflects priorities for tackling climate change and reducing disaster risk, in line with the ADB's recently approved country partnership strategy for Indonesia for the period 2020-2024.

This program will complement the COVID-19 active response and expenditure support (CARES) program from ADB worth $1.5 billion for Indonesia to support the government's response in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

So far, ADB has also provided a grant worth $3 million under the Asia Pacific Disaster Response Fund to assist the Indonesian government in procuring essential medical equipment and supplies. (Antaranews)

President Joko Widodo, Wednesday, delivered a speech at the virtual General Debate session of the 75th UN General Assembly in 2020. 

In his speech, President Jokowi said a number of views regarding the 75th anniversary of the UN this year. He said the UN must continue to improve itself in facing the changing world situation. The ongoing conflicts between countries, including the Covid-19 pandemic, are challenges that must be resolved by promoting multilateralism.

"The UN should continue to improve itself through reforms, revitalization, and efficiency. [It] needs to prove that multilateralism delivers, especially during the time of crisis, [it] needs to be more responsive and effective in tackling global challenges," the President said.

"And all of us bear the responsibility to further strengthen the UN, so the UN remains relevant and contributive in keeping with the challenges of time. The UN is not a mere building in the city of New York, rather it represents an ideal and shared commitment of all nations to realize world peace and prosperity for our future generations," he said.

"Indonesia has unwavering faith in the United Nations and multilateralism. Multilateralism is the only way that could guarantee equality," Jokowi said.

In addition, President Joko Widodo emphasized the importance of collective global leadership. Although each country in the world has its own agenda related to national interests. According to Jokowi, all countries also have a responsibility and must contribute to a solution to world peace.

"Collective global leadership has to be strengthened. We are all aware that when it comes to relations among countries in international relations, every country always protects its national interests. However, we must not forget that all of us have the responsibility to contribute to be part of the solution for peace, stability, and prosperity of the world. The world needs the spirit of collaboration and stronger global leadership to create a better world," he said.

In his speech, President Joko Widodo also emphasized the importance of cooperation in handling pandemics, both in terms of health and socio-economic impacts.

He said the Covid-19 vaccine is an important focus in handling the pandemic. Therefore, Jokowi encouraged all countries in the world to cooperate in ensuring equal access for all countries to vaccines that are safe and at affordable prices. (VOI)

Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati requested to increase the benefits and roles of State Property (BMN) and Regional Property (BMD) to deal with COVID-19.

"With the current condition, the real role of BMN and BMD is very important. We must try not to be in vain or useless," Sri Mulyani said in Jakarta, on Tuesday.

She said many BMN and BMD properties can be optimally utilized for COVID-19 purposes, for example, as an isolation room to observation and treatment facilities.

"We can use it to deal with COVID-19," she said.

He hopes that ministries, institutions, and local governments will continue to increase the use of these state-owned goods so they function not only for the government but also for society and the economy.

"The role of state property is very important in our economy and must be improved," she said.

Sri Mulyani stated that BMN's assessment last year sees an increase of fixed assets value in LKPP's balance sheet from Rp 1,931.1 trillion to Rp 5,949.9 trillion.

“This indicates a change in market value, also illustrates our efforts in using state finances responsibly," she said.

She said it also increased the value of assets belonging to the central government from previously Rp6,325.3 trillion now to Rp10,467.5 trillion.

"I am grateful to all ministries and agencies who continue to improve their administration and update the assessment of BMN as a form of our accountability," she said. (Antaranews)