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January
National Movement to be Proud of Indonesian Products 2021 - Kemenkomarves
Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan officially launched the National Movement to be Proud of Indonesian Products 2021-Gernas BBI 2021, Monday (11/1). The launch of Gernas BBI 2021 was carried out in three locations: I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, Yogyakarta International Airport, and Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. This year, Gernas BBI has the theme 'Indonesian MSME Products Become Host in Their Own Country'. Through Gernas BBI, the Government of Indonesia is targeting to add 6.1 million Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises-MSMEs connected to the digital ecosystem (onboarding) every year.
In his remarks, Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said, feeling proud and wanting to use local products are a form of national struggle that can be carried out today. He also appealed to the government officials to become ambassadors for the local products to support the MSMEs.
There is great hope from the National Movement which was launched by President Joko Widodo for the first time in May 2020, especially a lot of support provided by various parties. Take for example; Bank Indonesiais committed to continuing to take the role of a Movement Leader through various creative programs that prioritize the digitization of the MSMEs. Through 46 Regional Representative Offices, they will continue to cooperate to support the achievement of 30 million MSMEs connected to the digital ecosystem by 2023.
The commitment to support the MSMEs is also provided by the private sector by facilitating credit programs that will help provide adequate capital and complete payment infrastructure to make it easier for MSMEs to do entrepreneurship.
Supports by many parties to make the UMKM products become host in their own country is, of course, not optimal without the support of the Indonesian people. Indeed, they are the main key to the success of this program. Being proud alone is not enough to succeed the National Movement in Indonesia. The most important point is the act of consuming and using the local products. Never be proud of using local products that have been labeled with international brands whose prices are higher than using local products with local brands made by the Indonesian people.
In terms of quality, there is no doubt that many Indonesian products are able to compete globally. However, what must also be considered altogether is how the local products can compete in prices with similar products from abroad. At present, getting a cheaper price, of course, is a reality that cannot be denied. The policy to limit the purchase of goods from abroad through the marketplace might increase sales of MSME products in the country.
The real actions of all Indonesian people taking part in the National Movement to be Proud of Indonesian Products 2021 must be proven. Quoting President Joko Widodo's message at the event of Award to be Proud of Indonesian Products 2020 in December last year, if 270 million Indonesians feel proud, love, buy, and use Indonesian-made products, this will help reduce the current account deficit, and will make the national creative industry growing faster. We wish the National Movement to be Proud of Indonesian Products 2021 to succeed in the country, and also to go global.
January
The beginning of 2021 is shrouded in heartbreaking events from the world of Indonesian aviation. A Boeing 737-500 Sriwijaya Air flight number SJ 182 with Jakarta-Pontianak route, crashed in the waters of Pulau Seribu after four minutes of taking off from Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Cengkareng, on Saturday (9/1) at 2 pm local time. The fateful plane was carrying 50 passengers; 40 adults, 7 children and 3 babies and a crew of 12 including the pilot and co-pilot.
According to the Minister of Transportation, Budi Karya Sumadi, the incident began when the plane took off from Soekarno-Hatta airport at 02:36. One minute later it was permitted to ascend to an altitude of 29,000 feet, following instrument standards. At around 2:40, the plane appeared to be heading not in its proper direction but towards the Southwest. Then the air traffic control (ATC) asked the pilot to report the direction of the aircraft, but the Sriwijaya SJ 182 plane disappeared from radar and was subsequently declared down.
President Joko Widodo expressed his deep condolences for the downing of the Sriwijaya Air SJ 182 plane. On behalf of the government and all Indonesian people, the President expressed his deep condolences for this tragedy. According to him, since Saturday afternoon the Minister of Transportation and the National SAR Agency, assisted by the Military as well as the Police, have been ordered to immediately carry out a search for victims. The President emphasized that he would do his best to find and rescue victims and asked people to pray together so that the victims could be found.
Search and rescue efforts continued. SAR Mission Coordinator as well as National SAR Agency Operations Director Marshal Rasman emphasized that the search operation for Sriwijaya Air SJ 182 aircraft was carried out by operating dozens of ships, including those with underwater equipment, 12 helicopters and 32 ground equipment.
Until 5.00 p.m on Sunday (10/1), the Sriwijaya Air SJ-182 SAR operation Command Post has received a number of objects suspected of being plane debris and parts of passenger bodies. Marine Coordinator Marshal M Fadilla submitted the findings to the Integrated Command Post. The handover was the fifth during the second day of the SAR operation.
Hopefully, all victims can be found and identified so that they can return to their families and then be buried properly.
January
Several countries have started vaccinating their citizens in order to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic which is still sweeping the world.
Israel is one of the first countries to administer the Covid-19 vaccination. Until now, approximately 1 million people have been vaccinated there. This has been followed by Bahrain and Britain, although the numbers are not significant. Meanwhile, several other countries are still preparing or just starting the vaccination process. The Netherlands, for example, just started vaccination on January 6, 2021. Indonesia is planning to take it in the middle of January 2021.
What various countries are pursuing is that vaccination reaches a minimum of 70 percent of the population or until Herd Immunity is achieved.
Israel hopes to achieve herd immunity in February 2021. In contrast to Britain, which was forced to carry out a lockdown again because the number of people exposed to the virus in this country continues to increase. As of January 4, there were nearly 22,000 patients hospitalized for Covid-19 cases in the UK. This is a 30-percent increase in the week, thought to be due to a surge in infections from the new variant that is spreading faster. Concerns about the spread of the Covid19 virus and its new variants have even spread to other countries.
Many have questioned, will herd immunity be achieved immediately after vaccination?
Epidemiologist from Griffith University's Global Health Security, Dicky Budiman said that although currently there is a vaccine, it is necessary to know that the effect of the vaccine is not yet fully known. Thus, the vaccine cannot be the answer to the completion of the Covid-19 case. A New Normal lifestyle that follows the Health protocol is still needed.
Synergistic efforts are necessary for the vaccine to be effective. The number of Covid-19 transmissionsW must at least be controlled first. The public's perception of Covid-19 as a dangerous virus must also be integrated first.
Thereby, countries should focus on not only the distribution of vaccines to various places, but also other efforts in line with the vaccination program, including good public communication. So, the people must strictly apply the set health protocols, even though vaccinations have been carried out.
January
Vaccination to Commence Soon - Editorial
The new hope toget rid of the Covid-19 pandemic is open wide, following the vaccine readiness. Since the end of December 2020, some countries have begun the vaccination. In December 2020, Indonesia had three million doses from China. Indonesia also had ordered vaccines from other producers. In the first stage or mid-January, Indonesia will start the vaccination for medical workers, doctors, and security personnel as the front-liners. Then, the younger and elderly citizens will be given at the end of January.
About the vaccine, President Joko Widodo in a closed meeting on Wednesday (6/1) said that the government has prepared more than 329.5 million vaccine doses from various producers. The first vaccine from Sinovac will be injected to President Joko Widodo on January 13 2021. Being the first to be vaccinated, President Joko WIdodo hoped to give spirit to the people across the country.
Meanwhile, Head of Foods and Drugs Monitoring Agency (BPOM), Penny K Lukito ensured the Sinovac's vaccine is safe. BPOM also guaranteed the quality of the vaccine. Because the raw materials, the manufacturing process to the finished product have been evaluated according to international standards in China.
Although the third phase of the clinical test is not completed, vaccines have given a sense of security and comfort for Indonesians. Moreover in some countries, vaccination has begun.
The plan to provide vaccination for both the young and elderly is appreciated. It is because other countries prioritize the vaccine for the elderly only. According to health experts of Australia and Singapore, Indonesia's plan must be a good reference in the future.
Thruly, the government of Indonesia will not be reckless in implementing the vaccination scenario without careful thought.It also points to the results of the third phase clinical trial to be issued this week.In addition, the first vaccination to be injected to President Joko Widodo is a positive response to give confidence in the safety of the vaccines.However, according to WHO guidelines, there must be a pause between 21-28 days to have used the vaccine, especially for Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine products.This is carried out after many countries had found difficulty of vaccinationagainst the Covid-19 virus, following the discovery of a new variant of the virus that is more easily spread.
January
Entering the days at the beginning of 2021, the Corona Covid-19 virus continues to spread. Governments whose countries have been hit by the pandemic are busy working hard to overcome it. Data from Worldometers shows that throughout the world there is still an increase in the spread of Corona Covid19 virus and the number of infected humans. The latest data from Wikipedia records that the number of infected victims has reached 86.2 million, 1.87 million died and 48.4 million people were declared cured.
Other data shows that the spread of Corona Covid-19 virus on the African continent is recorded very little compared to western European countries, Russia, the United States, Latin America and Asia. Globally, the United States is the country with the highest positive confirmation of Corona Covid19, which has reached over 20.5 million people. In second place, India, with the infection rate reaching more than 10 million people. The third country that recorded the most cases of both infections and the increase per day is Brazil, followed by Russia and France. Compared to the population in the United States, India, Brazil and Russia, France is actually a country in the Western European region which is badly hit. The continuing increase in the number of infected has prompted the concerned government to continue to work hard to overcome this global pandemic. Meanwhile, Britain, which is close to France, has returned to lockdown due to the discovery of a new virus variant which is said to be spreading much faster than Covid-19.
It cannot be denied, the Corona Covid-19 virus pandemic has had a very massive impact, especially economically. A large number of infected countries are now mobilizing their financial resources to tackle it. The amount spent on prevention, treatment and the purchase of vaccines to prevent Covid 19 in 2021 is not small.
Countries that can handle Covid-19 well can be said to be lucky. China, for example, was the first country hit by Covid 19. Now, despite still keeping its vigilance, the country is no longer as busy as other large countries that are ranked high in Covid 19 infection. China has even been able to not only produce vaccines, but also export them to various countries including Indonesia.
China's success is actually interesting to be used as a lesson in making policies in overcoming Covid-19. One of the most populous countries in the world, China has been able to successfully overcome Corona Covid-19, even rise economically and produce vaccines that are used by other countries.
January
In a Limited Cabinet meeting on 28 December, the Indonesian government decided to prohibit foreign nationals from entering Indonesia from 1-14 January 2021. Exceptions were made for officials at the ministerial level and above, diplomatic visa holders and several other permit holders while still strictly implementing Covid-19 health protocols.
The emergence of a new mutated variant of the coronavirus, which is named VUI-202012/01 and has a very fast transmission rate, is the reason for the government to pass the prohibition policy.
The virus, originally identified in southeastern England, is spreading faster than the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. This new variant of Covid-19 has also been found in several other countries.
This condition has certainly hit the tourism sector again. Although during the pandemic, foreign tourist visits did decline sharply. Even in some areas no one visited. According to the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno, the government is currently focusing on domestic tourist visits, especially in the creative economy sector of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. At least, this step makes the tourism sector breathe a little again. The reforms that will be carried out from now on will certainly be of great potential when tourism is fully opened.
Chairman of the Association of Bali Travel Agents, Putu Winastra even said that the 14 days tightening of foreign citizens entering Indonesia would have a positive effect on Balinese society. Until now, international flights to Bali have not opened yet. This ban will be an opportunity to sterilize the Island of the Gods from Covid-19 transmission.
The government's policy of prohibiting entry to foreign nationals for 14 days is indeed correct in anticipating and minimizing the transmission of the new variant of Covid-19 which has currently entered several European and African countries.
December
The number of Covid-19 cases that have spread in Indonesia since early March 2020 increases day by day. As of Sunday (27/12/2020), the number of positive cases of the Covid-19 increased by more than 6.500 cases in a day so that the total positive cases of Covid-19 in Indonesia reached more than 713 thousand.
The recent increase in positive cases of Covid-19 is partly due to the family cluster which began to appear in September 2020. This was said by a pulmonary specialist from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia, dr. Anna Rozaliyani in Jakarta, Sunday (17/12). She reminded the public to be aware of the transmission of Covid-19 that occurs in the family cluster.
So far, people have considered family as a safe place from Covid-19 transmission. In fact, according to dr. Anna, the family environment also has a risk of transmitting Covid-19. Especially. if there are family members who are still working or doing oudoor activities and do not properly implement health protocols when outside or when returning home. She also stated that it was possible that family members could become "super spreaders'', or carriers of the virus and could infect many other family members without realizing that they had been infected with the Covid-19 virus.
Community activities due to economic factors and other reasons such as boredom or prolonged stress due to staying at home for too long cannot be avoided. People are getting bored at home. In addition, many of them still have to leave their homes because they need financial income to meet their daily needs. Restaurants, cinemas and tourism attractions have begun to open so that the economy can run, even with strict health protocols. Especially towards the end of the year holidays, some people feel they need refreshment and local governments and entertainment and tourism businesses need income to survive from the Covid-19 pandemic.
It is a dilemma. On the one hand, people must get healthy and avoid this deadly virus by limiting social and economic movements. On other hand, people also need income to survive.
The increasing number of Covid-19 cases in Indonesia in the family cluster, requires people to adhere to health protocols properly and be disciplined. Do not let someone come home with the virus and consider themselves healthy because they do not feel symptoms so that they eventually infect other family members. People’s compliance and discipline must be improved. It is not easy to do this, because there are still many who ignore it and think that the Covid-19 virus does not exist.
In addition to adhering to and being disciplined in health protocols, the public must also increase the body's immunity with a good diet or nutritional intake, sunbathing and exercising.
December
The atmosphere of Christmas celebrations in Southern England amid the outbreak of the new Corona variant which is said to originate from the region is really hard to imagine. Although there is no official data on whether the British variant corona is more dangerous than the Covid-19, its contagious power has proven to be devastating. Today, more than 1.000 people in Southern England have been infected. In fact, it is said that the anxiety about this new Corona strain has started spreading to the USA. The Christmas celebration this time feels different, because people choose to stay at home due to the new virus. The probability of this virus entering the United States is a prediction from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The new Covid-19 variant, named SARS-CoV-2, is even said to have spread to Africa with temporary findings attacking young people there. But it has not been proven whether Sars-Cov-2 is more deadly or not. However, the spreading power is said to be very fast. On Thursday (24/12), the virus was found in Singapore.
To anticipate the spread of Coronavirus, whether the Covid-19 or Sars-Cov-2, the Indonesian government also urges people not to travel far and stay at home during the holidays and celebrations of Christmas and New Year 2012.
Various countries have now started vaccinating their citizens. It is hoped that this vaccine will later be able to overcome the Covid-19, including the various possibilities for the emergence of other new variants such as Sars-Cov-2.
It seems that this Christmas 2020 celebration must indeed be passed with deeper prayers and hope so that this deadly virus shakes off from the earth.
December
Ten days before the end of 2020, Britain and the European Union still have not fully agreed on matters related to Brexit or the UK leaving the European Union. The UK and the European Union still disagree on two important rules for both of them, concerning fishing and business competition. According to schedule, Britain and the European Union would have to settle differences regarding those matters on 20 December 2022. The two days delay indicates that the two sides are holding on to their respective positions. The delay in the agreement has further shortened the deadline, ahead of Britain's exit from the European Union on January 31, 2021. Britain has also had to sign a number of agreements related to its relationship with the European Union on January 1, 2021. Regarding the possibility of an agreement not being made, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson expressed his optimism that it would not occur. After a deadlock on fishing and business competition talk, the British Prime Minister insisted that Britain would still benefit even if there was no agreement.
As reported by the Associated Press and quoted by CNN Indonesia, from the European Union, it is France which has a strong interest in the fisheries sector agreement. The country really hopes that with the Brexit deal, French fishermen can fish in British waters. So far the British have full control over their waters. Both the UK and the European Union maintain their respective positions on fishing rules. Britain asked that the quota for fishing by EU countries in its waters be reduced to 25 percent of the quota before Brexit. The two sides also differed regarding the transition period. The UK considers that a 3-year transition period is enough for EU fishermen to adjust to the new rules. But the European Union asked for a longer period of six years. The British Prime Minister emphasized that Britain has the right to fully determine the rules within the country.
For both parties a UK exit without a deal or a Brexit No Deal can have benefits but also disadvantages. In the trade sector, the two parties will impose different import tariffs for commodities and customs regulations. Both the UK and EU member states will face problems in this regard. For Britain, trade barriers with the European Union can have a negative impact on its economy. While still a member, the European Union was the largest single market. But by leaving the European Union without a deal, Britain must comply with WTO rules. British companies that rely on exporting their products to the European Union countries will be affected by the absence of a trade agreement.
Apart from trade, Brexit no Deal will also have an impact on employment issues. Different rules post Brexit will affect the fate of British citizens working in the European Union countries, and vice versa.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is now being tested for his skills in solving the Brexit issue. The failure of negotiations which resulted in Britain leaving the European Union without an agreement had consequences for the country. Brexit no Deal will have an impact on the UK economy which is now trying to rise from the downturn caused by Covid 19. Johnson also has to convince the British people and his political opponents in parliament that the decisions he has taken are correct and for the dignity of Great Britain and the good of the people.
December
Indonesia affirms its commitment to the use and development of battery-based electric vehicles. This commitment was realized by a Public Launching of Battery-Based Electric Motorized Vehicles last week.
The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources has compiled an Energy Grand Strategy, with one of its programs being the use of Battery-Based Electric Motorized Vehicles. The road map to the program has also been supported by plans for the construction of Public Electric Vehicle Charging Stations at 2,400 points, and Battery Exchange Stations at 10 thousand points by 2025. In addition, there is also an increase in electrical power in user households.
Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Arifin Tasrif said that Indonesia has the potential to produce electric vehicles because the technology and components used are simpler than conventional ones. In addition, Indonesia has also the potential for domestic capacity to produce batteries, supported by the large potential of nickel mining as raw material for batteries.
The government and business actors are committed to providing around 19 thousand units of 4-wheeled electric vehicles and 750 thousand units of battery-based 2-wheelers by 2025. This has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 283 thousand tons of carbon dioxide and reduce the cost of imported fuel oil.
Most of the pollution in big cities, especially in Jakarta, is generated from the exhaust emissions of motorized vehicles passing through the streets. The Commission for the Elimination of Leaded Gasoline, in the first quarter of this year, claimed that 47 percent of air pollution in Jakarta was contributed by motor vehicles.
Intensive collaboration and interaction between the government and business actors will enable Indonesia to encourage the use of battery-based electric motorized vehicles. This will bring about an impact on the development of related industries, saving foreign exchange, increasing energy security, and reducing greenhouse gases.