VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Mar. 1 - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) is optimistic that tourism and economic activities in Yogyakarta would recover following the implementation of the COVID-19 vaccination program.

Some 19,900 people, including included traders, shop owners, shopkeepers, and workers in Beringharjo Market, Malioboro Street area, Yogyakarta, were inoculated on Monday. "I am hopeful that the economy would recover, so that tourism in Yogyakarta can revive and boost economic growth in Yogyakarta, especially in the city of Yogyakarta," the president stated while observing the implementation of COVID-19 vaccination.

The head of state gauged that the vaccination process for traders at Beringharjo Market had run in a smooth manner and so was the case with the inoculation of street vendors, businesspersons, and shopkeepers at Malioboro Street to Yogyakarta Square.

"In total, there are 19,900 people, and we are hopeful of this being resolved soon," he noted.

Yogyakarta Mayor Haryadi Suyuti remarked that market traders and businesspersons in the Malioboro area should be accorded priority during vaccinations owing to their one-on-one interactions with residents and tourists from various regions on a daily basis.

"This is because they come in contact with the community at large. They make contact with other communities, both local residents and outsiders," he pointed out.

President Jokowi and his entourage embarked in a day-long working visit to Yogyakarta to witness the implementation of the vaccination program and inaugurate the electronic commuter train’s operations.

Indonesia commenced vaccination against COVID-19 since January 13, 2021, with China's Sinovac vaccine, and President Jokowi was the first recipient of the vaccine jab.

The National Task Force for COVID-19 Hanlind has reported that over 1.6 million vaccine doses had been administered until now. (Antaranews)

Mar. 1 - Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) Chairman M. Cholil Nafis was vociferous in emphasizing that liquor cannot be legalized on grounds of adhering to local wisdom.

"On the basis of local wisdom, liquor still cannot be legalized," Nafis notified reporters in Jakarta on Monday in response to the government's policy to allow investment in the liquor industry in several provinces.

"I personally do not agree with the liquor investment, although it is only permitted in four provinces," he remarked.

The MUI chairman pointed out that even as some people stood to be benefited by investment in the liquor industry, it would also cause moral damage to society.

"I think the policy should be repealed on account of the aspirations of the people, as it is not beneficial for the future of the people. It will may provide investment benefits, but it also causes extensive loss to the people," he cautioned.

"Liquor is still circulating in the market even after we banned it. Hence, of course, it would grow rapidly if it were allowed to be sold at retail prices. Although liquor is marketed in only four provinces, it can spread to other provinces. However, investment returns are not proportional to its impact on the morale of this nation," he stated.

Meanwhile, MUI Deputy Chairman Anwar Abbas also expects the government to not allow investment in the liquor industry.

Abbas opined that the government's policy to allow investment in the liquor industry prioritized the interests of entrepreneurs over those of the people.

"If the government is committed to protecting the people, then they should not give permission for businesses that will be harmful to the people," he stated.

The presidential regulation on investment signed by President Joko Widodo on Feb 2, 2021, stipulates that alcoholic beverages and the liquor industry is a business sector for all investors meeting the requirements.

According to the regulation, new investment can be made in the liquor and alcoholic beverage industry in the provinces of Bali, East Nusa Tenggara, North Sulawesi, and Papua based on local culture and wisdom. (Antaranews)

Mar. 1 - President Joko Widodo went to Yogyakarta for a working visit with a number of agendas including reviewing mass vaccinations and inaugurating the Yogyakarta-Solo railway train route.

President Joko Widodo on Sunday afternoon, February 28, 2021, left for the Special Region of Yogyakarta for a working visit.

From the Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force base, Jakarta, at around 16.00 WIB, the Head of State and his limited entourage took off for the Adisutjipto Air Force Base, Sleman Regency.

On arrival in Sleman, the President went straight to Gedung Agung, Yogyakarta Presidential Palace, to spend the night and continue activities.

On Monday, March 1, 2021, the Head of State reviewed mass vaccinations for public workers in a number of places in Yogyakarta City. In addition, the President will also inaugurate the operation of the Yogyakarta-Solo train. (Antaranews)

Mar. 1 - More than 20 million people across the United Kingdom have now received their first COVID-19 vaccine shot, data showed on Sunday as the country made more progress with Europe’s fastest vaccination programme.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the milestone represented “a huge national achievement and he paid testament to the country’s health, workers, volunteers and armed forces.

“I urge everyone to get the jab when called,” Johnson said. “Every jab makes a difference in our battle against COVID.”

Britain has suffered the highest COVID-19 death toll in Europe - it currently stands at 122,849 - and the heaviest economic shock among big rich countries, according to the headline measures of official data.

But the pace of its vaccination roll-out has raised the prospect of a gradual lifting of its current lockdown restrictions between now and the end of June.

On Sunday, finance minister Rishi Sunak promised to help the economy while the country remains under restrictions.

In a budget statement on Wednesday, he is expected to announce more borrowing on top of his almost 300 billion pounds ($418 billion) of COVID-19 spending and tax cuts.

Official data showed a total of 20.09 million people in Britain have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and almost 800,000 have received a second dose.

Last week, Britain said more than one in three adults had received their first vaccination.

Britain also reported on Sunday a further 6,035 cases within the previous 24 hours, and 144 more deaths within 28 days of a positive test.

The latest figures meant cases over the past seven days were down 21.2% compared with the previous seven-day period of Feb. 15-21, and deaths were down 33.5%. (Reuters)