VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Mar. 9 - Mount Merapi, located between Central Java and Yogyakarta, ejected hot clouds as far as 700 meters to the southwest direction on Tuesday morning.

Head of the Geological Disaster Technology Research and Development Center (BPPTKG) Hanik Humaida noted in her official statement here on Tuesday that the hot clouds began bellowing at 6 a.m. local time.

"The hot clouds recorded on the seismograph have an amplitude of 36 mm and lasted for 99.52 seconds," Humaida remarked.

During the observation period from 00:00 a.m. to 6 a.m. local time, Mount Merapi emitted incandescent lava 16 times as far as 1.2 kilometers to the southwest.

A total of 30 earthquakes, with an amplitude of 3-35 mm and a duration of 14-17 seconds, were also detected at the active volcano, and one gust earthquake, with an amplitude of 7 mm for 17 seconds.

The BPPTKG continues to maintain the status of Mount Merapi at Level III.

The lava and hot clouds of Mount Merapi are forecast to impact areas comprising Sungai Kuning, Boyong, Bedog, Krasak, Bebeng, and Putih in the south to the southwest.

In the meantime, Mount Merapi's volcanic material could disperse as far three kilometers from the mountain's peak. (Antaranews)

Mar. 9 - The World Health Organization (WHO) has lauded Indonesia’s leadership in promoting global solidarity and equal access to COVID-19 vaccines for all countries.

At a press conference at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on Monday, WHO Country Representative in Indonesia, N Paranietharan, said Indonesia has shown exemplary leadership in global solidarity and initiatives.

“When it comes to COVAX, we have to appreciate Indonesia’s global leadership. Foreign Minister Retno (Marsudi) herself is a co-chair of the AMC group of countries to foresee this vaccine allocation and distribution to the countries,” he stated.

He also highlighted Indonesia’s efforts to promote equity in access to vaccines for all countries across the globe.

COVAX, the global initiative co-led by vaccine alliance GAVI, the WHO, and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), has set an ambitious goal to deliver up to 2 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines before the end of the year to all countries in the world, Paranietharan said.

“It is a hugely ambitious goal that started off last year. Now, we see the result of it and more shipments (are expected) to come to Indonesia as well,” he added.

A number of other countries, he continued, have received shots via the COVAX initiative as well.

Indonesia on Monday received 1,113,600 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine as part of the first shipment of the first batch of vaccines. Indonesia will receive a total of 11,704,800 shots in the first batch. The first batch of shipments will continue to arrive until May, 2021.

Paraniethatan said he hoped the arrival of vaccines from COVAX will add to and further strengthen the national vaccination program in one of the very few developing countries that have started vaccinations. He said he considers the vaccination program as a display of exemplary leadership at the national level.

“It is time for health equity for everyone, and it is important that we take these vaccines to the people who need them the most and make sure no one is left behind,” Paranietharan remarked.

He also expressed the WHO’s readiness to cooperate with the government and people of Indonesia to ensure that the pandemic comes to an end soon. (Antaranews)

Mar. 9 - The Embassy of the People’s republic of Bangladesh in Jakarta has observed the ‘Historic 07^th March’ commemorating the landmark speech of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman delivered on 7^th March 1971 in a befitting manner.

The program was observed on 7 and 8 March 2021 as a part of the observance of ‘Mujib Year’. On 7 March, the Embassy observed its regular official program.

On 8 March 2021, the Embassy of Bangladesh organized a webinar on ‘Historic 07^th March of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’ where the discussants discussed the significance of this historic speech in the nation's history.

There was participation from diplomatic missions, international organizations, academicians, diaspora leaders living in Indonesia and the countries of concurrent accreditation, journalist and media personnel, etc.

Ambassador Air Vice Marshal Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman GUP delivered his opening remarks and hosted the whole program.

In his speech, he paid rich tribute to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and recalled that the historic speech of Bangabandhu is not only the eternal source for us but also freedom-loving people around the world. Then the video of “Historic 7^th March 1971 Speech by the Father of the Nation of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman” was screened.

The keynote paper was presented by Dr. Muhammad Samad, Pro-vice Chancellor, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh.

He mentioned the various aspects of the historic speech and how Bangabandhu choose the words for his address to the people, which reflected his political wisdom and prudent leadership.

The other respected speakers were, Dr. Ming-Kuok LIM, Advisor for Communication and Information, UNESCO Office in Jakarta, Dr. Bob Iskandar, Senior Director, Confederation of ASEAN Journalist, Jakarta, Mr. Fazley Elahi Mahmud, Social Protection Specialist, Australian Aid in Jakarta, Mr. Sajid Rahman, Chief Executive Officer of Telenor Health in Indonesia, Mrs. Endang Sri Rusmiyati Rahayu, serving in the Secretariat of Indonesia Memory of the World National Committee, Indonesia Institute of Sciences( LIPI), Jakarta, Indonesia.

The speakers talked about various aspects and inclusiveness of the historical speech of Bangabandhu.

Closing remarks were delivered by Ambassador Shabbir Ahmad Chowdhury, Secretary (West & ICT), Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh.

In the end, Ambassador Air Vice Marshal Mohammad Mostafizur conveyed his heartfelt thanks to all the speakers and audience for the participation in the webinar. (VOI)

Mar. 9 - The United Nations human rights office voiced deep concern on Monday at the fate of 200 peaceful protesters trapped by Myanmar’s security forces in Yangon and called for them to be allowed to leave in safety without reprisals.

Three people were killed in Myanmar on Monday at demonstrations against last month’s military coup, and hundreds of protesters in the main city Yangon pleaded for help after they were cornered by security forces after dark.

The office of Michelle Bachelet wrote on Twitter: “#Myanmar: We are deeply concerned about the fate of some 200 peaceful protestors – incl. women – who have been cordoned by security forces in Yangon, and may be at risk of arrest or ill-treatment. We urge the police to immediately allow them to leave safely and without reprisals.” (Reuters)