VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Mar. 8 - The extension of micro-scale community activity restrictions (micro-scale PPKM) from March 9 to March 22 this year is expected to bring down the number of COVID-19 cases, according to the COVID-19 Handling Task Force. "If anyone has doubts about the micro-scale PPKM, please continue to observe the results of the policy from the start to finish," commented spokesperson for the COVID-19 Task Force, Wiku Adisasmito, in a press statement received here on Monday.

The extension of the micro-scale PPKM is included in the Instruction of the Minister of State (Number 5 of 2021) on the Implementation of the Micro-scale Community Activity Restrictions and on the Optimization of COVID-19 Handling Posts and Sub-Districts for Control of the Spread of COVID-19.

Under the instruction, micro-scale PPKM has been extended to provinces outside Java-Bali islands, comprising North Sumatra, East Kalimantan, and South Sulawesi. The government is extending the micro-scale PPKM policy from March 9 until March 22, 2021 as it is believed to be effective in controlling the spread of COVID-19 cases, Adisasmito explained.

He noted that the key to the success of the micro-scale PPKM is having a structured task force from the provincial, district/city, sub-districts, to the village level. The task force comprises civilian officials, personnel from the national army and the police, as well as community leaders.

"All work for four functions, including prevention, handling, coaching, and support. Everything is controlled and monitored, so it is effective," Adisasmito said.

The third stage of micro-scale PPKM, which was applied in DKI Jakarta, West Java, Banten, Bali, and the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY), contributed greatly to reducing the number of cases, he informed.

"Even cases in East Java have decreased since the second phase of PPKM," he added.

The micro-based PPKM is expected to increase community compliance in using masks, he said adding, the increasing use of masks under the micro-scale PPKM can be attributed to supervision being carried out over a narrower area, making monitoring tighter.

By the end of February2021, as many as 22,832 COVID-19 posts have been established in 30 provinces. Most activities at the COVID-19 posts during the enforcement of the PPKM focused on education and socialization in using masks, maintaining distance, and washing hands with soap. (Antaranews)

Mar. 8 - Seven native Papuan students got admission into three top US universities early this year on account of their academic capabilities and English proficiency.

The students are pursuing their studies at the Michigan State University, Western Michigan University, and Louisiana State University, Academic Director at the Jakarta International College (JIC) Fransisca Laij stated.

"During their pathway training program at the JIC, their academic results are so good. They are ready to pursue their studies in the United States," Laij noted in a press statement that ANTARA received here Monday.

Jessica Rumfaker, Michael Saroge, Paleria Waibusi, Raffaela Wanimbo, Ronaldo Krey, Steve Fonataba, and Yulandia Jufuway are the Papuan students that have currently taken up undergraduate programs at the three universities.

Laij pointed out that the students also had a good outlook in addition to possessing sound academic capabilities and being proficient in English.

The JIC senses immense pride in the fact that they have taken up studies in the areas, including petroleum engineering, which are relevant to the needs of Papua to build its brighter future, according to Laij.

"I am optimistic that Papua Province would have excellent human capital since education and human resource development have been prioritized. Some 10 or 20 years from now, these Papuan teenagers will gain mastery over science and technology. I do believe it," she affirmed.

To this end, Laij praised the Papuan provincial government over its unwavering focus on education and human resource development programs for its people in spite of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic situation.

The Papua provincial government confirmed it will send 45 native Papuan students to take up undergraduate programs and two others to pursue their studies through postgraduate programs at reputable universities in the United States this year.

The development of human resources in Papua and West Papua remains a tricky challenge, as the Human Development Index scores of these provinces lag behind that of other provinces in Indonesia.

Referring to Indonesia's 2019 Human Development Index, Papua and West Papua recorded scores of 64.7 and 60.84 respectively.

In improving the quality of human capital of Papua and West Papua, the Indonesian finance ministry has suggested that the regional governments allocate an endowment fund to finance human resource development and education for native Papuans.

The fund can be allocated from Papua Province's annual budget, Director of the Finance Ministry's Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP) Scholarship Program Dwi Larso stated. (Antaranews)

Mar. 8 - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) urged the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT) to become technologically advanced to drive the country’s economic recovery.

"The BPPT must become an institution for acquiring advanced technology from anywhere. Once again, the BPPT must become an institution for gaining mastery of advanced technology from anywhere," the head of state noted at the State Palace here on Monday while delivering his opening remarks at the agency's 2021 National Meeting on Strengthening the Technology Innovation Ecosystem.

Attendees at the opening ceremony comprised Minister of Research and Technology, concurrently Head of the National Innovation Research Agency Bambang Brodjonegoro, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, and Head of BPPT Hammam Riza.

"Technology is currently advancing at a very fast pace, and the technology we need for national economic recovery may not have been produced domestically. Hence, a strategy to acquire technology from abroad is the key to accelerating our economic recovery," Jokowi emphasized.

The instruction was not only directed at the agency but also ministries, particularly those under the coordination of the coordinating minister for maritime affairs and investment as well as the coordinating minister for economic affairs, he clarified.

"(This is also applicable) to the minister of trade, the minister of industry, the minister of state- owned enterprises, and also the head of BKPM. By having huge market power and abundant natural resource wealth, we have a strong leverage. Please, really think about smart ways to conduct technology acquisition inexpensively," Jokowi reiterated.

President Jokowi highlighted the need for the Indonesian nation to be thankful for God's grace for providing copious natural resources.

"We are obliged to protect it and use it wisely for the welfare of the people, for the welfare of our people. However, without the mastery and use of wise technology, this gift will not provide maximum benefits to the people," he added.

The head of state additionally called for a shift in the pattern of Indonesia's economic activities, from being a commodity-based one to an economy based on technological innovation.  (Antaranews)

Mar. 8 - Canadian Ambassador Cameron MacKay pledged to work alongside 39 other ambassadors and three directors general from the Indonesian Foreign Ministry to strengthen their commitment to gender inclusion to mark International Women's Day.

All of them vowed to participate as a speaker or panel member in only those public panels, conferences, or webinars where women feature on the panel. However, this does not apply to the case of women serving as moderators or as masters of ceremonies (MCs), as these are often facilitating roles instead of treating women as equals during public discourse.

"Despite comprising half the world’s population, women’s voices are still under-represented in, and sometimes excluded from, public discussions. We need to change this," according to Ambassador MacKay, as noted in a release issued by the Canadian Embassy in Jakarta and received here on Monday.

"I am very pleased that so many colleagues from the diplomatic community and the Indonesian Foreign Ministry have joined me in making this meaningful contribution toward gender equality. By helping to end all-male panels, or ‘manels’, we will better represent the diverse world we live in and help to ensure that women’s voices are heard and that they can participate equally in society. I invite others to join us in taking the ‘No Manel’ pledge," he stated.

The "No Manel Pledge" was first initiated by the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Indonesia, Valerie Julliand, earlier this year.

Currently, 40 embassies, including Canada, Afghanistan, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, the Philippines, Slovakia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Timor-Leste and the United Kingdom, have taken this pledge.

Canada has accorded top priority to boosting gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.

Canada has adopted a Feminist International Assistance Policy in pursuit of ending poverty and building a more peaceful, inclusive, and prosperous world. (Antaranews)