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Editorial (922)
December
Community Activities Restrictions Canceled, Tightening Health Protocols Reinforced
Written by Maryati
Indonesian Government has canceled the plan to implement Community Activity Restrictions level 3 during the upcoming Christmas and New Year 2022 holidays.
Even though it was canceled, the Government asked all levels of stakeholders not to be careless in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic, including preventing the entry and spread of the new variant of Covi19, Omicron.
ANTARA News Agency reported that one the one hand, the Government has issued special rules during the Christmas and New Year holiday period through the Instruction of the Minister of Home Affairs regarding the prevention and control of Covid-19.
On the other hand, the government will also tighten health protocols, in collaboration with the police by directly monitoring the implementation of health protocols in tourism objects and public places, including the use of increasingly strengthened pedulilindungi applications.
Like it or not, this government policy must be supported. Because it is made solely for the benefit of the community so that it must be fulfilled and obeyed.
The community and all relevant stakeholders should be able to accept this policy. It is hoped that all will have the same frequency, especially in implementing the mobility restriction policy, which will be applied during the holidays.
As President Joko Widodo hopes, to maintain the currently low level of Covid-19 cases in Indonesia, it is necessary to implement a tightening policy. This is done to prevent an increase in cases after the Christmas and New Year holiday period, as well as to prevent the entry of the new variant, Omicron.
December
Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yair Lapid paid an official visit to Egypt Thursday 9 December 2021. Quoting the Israeli Foreign Ministry, AFP reported that one of the important talks on the agenda of the meeting was strengthening bilateral relations, especially in the security sector.
Minister Lapid's visit is a follow-up of Israel's foreign policy to strengthen Israel-Egypt relations for regional stability.
The meeting in the security sector has not brought about a concrete agreement, yet. Both Israel and Egypt need to formulate a strong strategy and find solutions to the emerging issues discussed at the meeting, particularly the issue of hostages and the bodies of Israelis detained by the Hamas group in the Gaza Strip since Operation Protective Edge in 2014.
According to Minister Lapid, Israel has an economic recovery plan for Gaza. This is expected to end the frequent rocket attacks by Hamas against Israel. It seems that the issue of settlement construction carried out continouesly by Israelis in the Palestinian territories was not discussed at the meeting.
Egypt has indeed been Israel's main mediator with Hamas. Minister Lapid's visit may be an important step that is expected to consolidate stability and peace in the Middle East, and reach a permanent solution for the Palestinian struggle to become a fully sovereign state.
If Israel is seriously committed to restoring Gaza's economy, significant concrete steps are needed towards an era of security and prosperity as well as an expansion of the scope of strong cooperation in various fields. Egypt's role as a mediator in the Israel-Gaza conflict is highly awaited.
December
Ahead of the 2021 Christmas and 2022 New Year holidays, the Indonesian government is preparing to anticipate a spike in the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic due to increased community mobility. Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs as Chairperson of the Covid-19 Handling Committee and National Economic Recovery, Airlangga Hartarto in a press statement, Monday (6/12) said that the government would limit community activities during the 2021 Christmas and 2022 New Year (Nataru) holidays.
Airlangga further pointed out that the community activities in public spaces, such as restaurants and shopping centers are limited to 75 percent. Gathering activities for various activities are limited to a maximum of 50 people. Besides, vacation activities or traveling during the Nataru holiday period are allowed for those who have been vaccinated. People who have not been vaccinated are not allowed to travel. This was stated by Airlangga Hartarto in a press conference related to the Virtual Evaluation of the Implementation of Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM). He also stated that Minister of Home Affairs, Tito Karnavian will immediately issue a Minister of Home Affairs Instruction, specifically for Nataru's holidays. The rules will follow the level adjusted to the World Health Organization -WHO. In a limited meeting, Monday (6/12), President Joko Widodo also ordered his aides to prepare booster vaccines early next year.
The Indonesian people should be grateful for the active cases of Covid-19 which have continued to decline in recent weeks. The latest data on Monday afternoon recorded that 130 cases were confirmed with 9 deaths. This number shows that although Covid-19 cases continue to decline, the pandemic does not shake off, yet. Vigilance must remain, especially with the spread of the Omicron variant which has spread to 45 countries. With the development of Covid-19 cases that continues to improve, the Indonesian people must not be careless ahead of the Nataru holidays.
The government has been working hard to control the pandemic. Thereby, the community should support the government's hard work by complying with the regulations to be issued. The restrictions that apply are only temporary. The 6M-health protocol is very important to follow during holidays. The 6M health protocol in question is wearing a mask, washing hands with soap through running water, maintaining distance, staying away from crowds, reducing mobility and avoiding eating together.
December
Mount Semeru, also known as Mahameru, erupted again on Saturday afternoon (4/12) with a plume of ash rising upwards. The highest mountain on the Java Island and located in the Lumajang area, East Java has actually erupted with incandescent lava and roaring sounds since Friday afternoon (3/12).
According to data from the National Disaster Management Agency, as of Sunday morning (5/12), there were 14 casualties and dozens of others suffered burnt as a result of this eruption.
What happened to Mount Semeru has received serious and immediate attention from the Indonesian government. Vice President, Ma'ruf Amin in his press statement during a working visit in Bali, Sunday (5/12) issued a number of instructions to ministries/agencies related to the eruption of Mount Semeru. He asked the Ministry of Social Affairs, the Ministry of Health, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency, and the East Java Provincial Government to immediately take action. He also asked Minister of Social Affairs, Tri Rismaharini to provide assistance. To the Minister of Health, Budi Gunadi Sadikin, the Vice President requested that assistance to the victims be carried out by preparing medical treatment. The victims who experience the impact of the eruption are expected to be immediately treated by medical personnel. Meanwhile, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency was asked to immediately provide shelter for the affected people, as well as to search for victims. The Governor of East Java and all regional heads and ranks of the Regional Leadership Communication Forum in the East Java region, were also asked to move quickly to provide assistance.
In addition, Vice President Ma'ruf Amin also requested that the disaster early warning system always work well in order to minimize casualties. According to the Vice President, early warnings are not only for mountain eruptions, but also for other disasters, such as floods and landslides. In addition, early warning must also be followed by disaster prevention efforts.
Indonesia is known to be prone to natural disasters, both tectonic and geological, such as earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions, as well as hydrometeorology, including floods and droughts. To minimize the impact of disasters, the increase in the number of early warning tools in places that have the potential for disasters must continue to be intensified. In addition, public knowledge about disasters, especially how to deal with disasters, needs to be improved. If not, the impact of the ordeal, that befell Indonesia towards the end of 2021, could happen again.
December
Namibia regrets the decision of a number of countries to impose travel bans on southern Africa, following the discovery of the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus. Namibia, one of the countries in southern Africa, considers the move unacceptable and discriminatory.
The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism of Namibia on Thursday 2 November 2021, as reported by the Xinhua News Agency, expressed its dissatisfaction with the travel ban decision, which was taken by a number of countries in Europe, as well as in Asia. According to him, the ban goes against the guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO) and is a severe blow to the tourism industry. This is because many people depend on this sector for their livelihoods.
Previously, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said WHO only asked and advised anyone who felt unwell, aged 60 years and over, and had not been vaccinated, against traveling, Not closing the borders of countries in Africa, which actually exacerbates economic inequality.
WHO appealed, to prevent serious illness, citizens should vaccinate. Because the vaccine is believed to still be effective to fend off Covid-19.
The travel ban step that has been taken by dozens of countries around the world to prevent Omicron from entering, may indeed be a decision that must be taken. Especially when it is felt very worrying and life-threatening. But it takes a long thought to make a decision, when there are other alternatives to fight Covid-19.
The option provided by WHO is a more improved method of testing travelers. In addition, more vigorous vaccination for every citizen. WHO assesses, Omicron appears because the level of Covid-19 vaccination in African countries is still low. But they are also not to blame, because the low vaccination rate is related to various factors including resources. They shouldn’t be punished. Instead, they deserve to be appreciated, for being quick to identify and share information about Omicron. An important discovery for science and world health.
The world needs to take stricter and more precise steps after the appearance of this Omicron. Travel bans are not the only answer to the problems that arise. Health protocols must still be put forward. For example, the use of masks is mandatory when shopping or when using public transportation and facilities. Likewise with washing hands and avoiding crowds. The mandatory vaccine program and the provision of additional vaccines must also be realized immediately in order to achieve the WHO target. Which is, each country must vaccinate at least 40 percent of its population. It is estimated that, by the end of this year, the world will need an additional 550 million doses of vaccine. Something to think about together, especially for some poor countries like the ones in Africa.
November
Revision of Job Creation Law Without Incurring Loss for Investors
Written by Maryati
The Constitutional Court -MK has ruled that Law No.11/2020 on Job Creation or better known as the Job Creation Law is conditionally unconstitutional. The MK also officially ordered the House of Representatives -DPR and the Government to revise the law within 2 years.
What is the government's response to the Constitutional Court's verdict which is final and binding? President Joko Widodo in a press statement at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, Monday (29/11) stated that as part of a democratic country based on law, the government will respect and immediately implement the Constitutional Court's verdict.
However, President Joko Widodo assured both domestic and foreign investors that investment will continue to run safely. In his view, he believes that nothing has been canceled by the MK regarding the Job Creation Act. President Joko Widodo also emphasized that with the Constitutional Court stating that the Job Creation Law is still in effect, all the material and substance in the Job Creation Law and the rules will remain in full force and effect without any article being canceled or declared invalid. President Joko Widodo also expressed the government's commitment and his commitment that the agenda of structural reform, deregulation and de-bureaucratization will continue to be implemented.
For investors, especially foreign ones, President Joko Widodo's commitment is important. For the business world, the most important thing is legal certainty in running their business in Indonesia. Now, the government and the DPR must immediately work hard to revise the Job Creation Law so that it is constitutional. Meanwhile, the government still has to maintain its commitment to investors. If not, the government will lose not only trust, but also probability to be sued internationally.
Hopefully, the government and the DPR can immediately revise the Job Creation Law without incurring loss for domestic and foreign investors. Ease of doing business is an absolute requirement for a country to be able to attract as much investment as possible. More investment means more jobs are available and the economy continues to grow. The ultimate goal of investment should be towards the welfare of the people.
November
The Indonesian government has issued a quick response in the face of the new variant of Covid-19, Omicron which is now spreading in various parts of the world.
Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Panjaitan said at an online press conference in Jakarta on Sunday (28/11) that the variant contains 50 mutations that affect the speed of transmission and its ability to evade antibodies. With so many mutations, World Health Organization -WHO has upgraded the status of the variant to a variant of concern.
Citing the ANTARA news agency, to date, 13 countries have announced the presence of the Omicron variant which was initially detected in South Africa and Botswana. Omicron is also found in Germany, Belgium, England, Israel, Australia and Hong Kong.
The Indonesian government immediately implemented the policy that took effect as soon as it was announced namely, firstly by prohibiting entry of foreigners who have a history of traveling for 14 days to countries, such as South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Mozambique, Eswatini, Malawi, Angola, Zambia and Hong Kong. Second, Indonesian citizens who return to Indonesia and have a travel history from the countries in the first point will be quarantined for 14 days. Third, the government will increase the quarantine time for foreigners and Indonesian citizens traveling from abroad outside the eleven countries listed, to 7 days from the previous 3 days. Finally, this quarantine policy is enforced starting Monday morning (29/11).
The Government of Indonesia's quick response needs to be appreciated. Given the distribution of this Omicron variant, one cannot rule out the possibility that it has already spread to more countries.
Minister Luhut Panjaitan reminded that although Indonesia has handled the Covid-19 case to the maximum and the spread of cases has begun to be controlled, the public should not be careless. Control efforts must continue to be encouraged by continuing to implement and improve health protocols and accelerate vaccination.
Most importantly, people do not need to panic in response to this new variant, but remain vigilant. The government needs to increase cooperation with the international community in observing the development of the Omicron variant. Meanwhile, strict supervision of health protocols, such as washing hands, wearing masks, maintaining distance, staying away from crowds, and reducing mobility must continue.
November
A number of European countries reported new records related to additional Covid-19 cases on Wednesday (24/11). They are also preparing to carry out a limited lockdown and considering booster vaccine injections for residents aged 40 years and over. According to Channel News Asia, Germany, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands and Hungary all reported new highs in daily infections.
The spike came as winter hit Europe and people gathered indoors ahead of Christmas. Germany saw its highest new daily case addition earlier this November, touching nearly 34 thousand. The Czech Republic for the first time reported additional Covid-19 cases above 25,000, the Netherlands more than 23,700 while Hungary around 12,600.
Amid a surge in cases, the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), recommends a booster vaccine for all adults. Priority is given to those over the age of 40. This will be a change from previous guidelines which suggested additional doses be considered, especially for those who are vulnerable, such as the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.
Then, the question is what about countries whose vaccine coverage has not been comprehensive and complete? The World Health Organization -WHO is actually more emphasizing on global vaccination than providing for a third vaccine alias booster. The fact is that there are many countries in the world whose citizens have not been vaccinated, even for the first dose. However, the spike in cases is due to the development of new variants, and the attitude of people in developed countries, such as in Europe, who began to ignore health protocols, made booster administration necessary.
The booster is expected to enhance protection and prevent additional hospitalizations and deaths in December and January 2022.
Indonesia, with a population of more than 270 million people, has managed to overcome the second wave of Covid-19 pandemic in the middle of this year. The daily number of new cases on Thursday (25/11) was 372, far below Europe. However, Indonesia must not be careless because the spike could happen again at any time, especially related to the Christmas and New Year holidays. Therefore, the government plans to start giving booster vaccines early next year after a series of clinical trials.
November
The French government keeps maintaining relations with Asian countries. To maintain good relations, especially in Southeast Asia, French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean Yvs Le Drian visited Indonesia. The missions are to give support in the South China Sea issue and to accelerate economic, trade, and defense cooperation with Indonesia. About the South China Sea, France has sent their nuclear submarine in that region.
In the visit at Merdeka Palace on Wednesday (24/11), Minister Le Drian met President Joko Widodo. President Joko Widodo in the meeting conveyed 5 main points about the two countries' relations. The first is increasing communication between the two countries, considering Indonesia will lead the G20 and France is the president of the European Union next year. Secondly, Indonesia hopes that during the leadership of France in the European Union, the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Indonesia and the European Union can be accelerated and can receive a concrete result.
Third, Indonesia asks France to be a partner in fighting for an open, just, and non-discriminatory trade. The fourth is increasing partnership in 2+2 dialog mechanism, namely between the two countries' foreign affairs ministers and defense ministers. While the fifth is an appreciation for France's support for 4.8 million doses of vaccine supply
The visit of French Europe and Foreign Affairs Minister to Indonesia was also marked with a cooperation signing in maritime and defense.
The visit of Minister Le Drian to Indonesia has an important meaning. Aside from increasing trade and economy, it seems that France wants to strengthen defense cooperation with Indonesia. This strengthening is through Indonesia's plan to purchase fighter jets. It seems France does not want to lose their military trade after the end of defense cooperation with Australia in submarine development. Besides, Indonesia is a big market for France.
Indonesia hopes that France, as the European Union President 2022, can give a vivid depiction about Indonesia's current situation. Since Indonesia does not want environmental issues, which are frequently imposed by the European Union to Indonesia, hamper the trade and economic relations with European Union members.
November
Towards the end of 2021, humanitarian tragedies are still happening. Thousands of people are displaced as refugees, and suffer from hunger, due to conflicts in various countries. As happened in the Middle East. The endless conflicts there led to the flow of refugees to Europe. There is a refugee crisis on the Belarusian border with Poland. As a result, relations between the two countries and also with the European Union have been strained. The European Union accuses Belarus of using the refugee chaos at the border as a political tool to pressure Europe. Belarus argued and countered the accusations by saying that Europe had broken promises about its willingness to accommodate refugees.
Conflicts and wars have caused thousands of people to become victims. Displacement is one of the real forms. And these conflicts, apart from Africa, generally occur in the Middle East, and also parts of South Asia.
The civil war in Yemen, in addition to causing displacement, material and infrastructure damage, has also caused suffering for the people who are still in the country. Yemen, which was once part of a region called Sham, has now been partially ravaged. Many historic buildings were destroyed by bomb and missile attacks. What is more devastating is, the very large number of victims who died as a result of mutual attacks.
According to United Nations data, about 377,000 people have died. More than half of those who died in Yemen were an indirect result of the 7-year war, such as famine for example. Even more sad, many children who become victims, die due to malnutrition.
The war in Yemen, for which there is no sign of ending, began in 2015. At that time the Saudi Arabian coalition intervened with the aim of helping the government, after the Houthi militia seized the city of Sanaa. The Houthi militia is a group that has Iranian support. This fact shows that the intervention of other countries, with different directions and interests, has led to prolonged conflicts and civil wars. The situation is not getting any better, when major powers, including the United States and Russia, are involved.
The worst humanitarian catastrophe has occurred in Yemen, a once prosperous country, with a beautiful civilization and historical heritage. This tragedy, which does not know when it will end, will continue to take its toll. The United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, estimates that fighting and its effects could kill at least 1.3 million people by 2030.
This very sad situation and dire consequences, should be able to spark initiatives and steps towards peace. The question is, can the conscience of the leaders in Yemen, as well as other intervening countries, be open to stop this humanitarian tragedy?