VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Jakarta (VOI News) - New Zealand sees Indonesia as the largest economy in Southeast Asia and its closest neighbor after Australia. The Government and the people of New Zealand recognize the importance of Indonesia in the context of relations with the country, in economy, social, culture and politic. This was conveyed by the Indonesian Ambassador to New Zealand, Samoa and Tonga, Tantowi Yahya, to Voice of Indonesia in Jakarta in a telephone interview on Friday afternoon (5/6/2020). In the economic field, Ambassador Tantowi Yahya said relations between the two countries had improved. He has targeted Indonesia would become part of the economy of countries in the Pacific in the near future.

"We have a target that Indonesia must become part of the economy of the Pacific countries in the near future. And we have initiated with several programs, over the past 3 years, and the highlight of it was when we organized Pacific Expo last year in Auckland. Indonesia's economic relations are increasing. Later, when Indonesia is truly economically integrated within the Pacific countries, then we can say that what the President wants, as having been delivered by him on several occasions, to increase Indonesia’s profile and actively participate, can be economically realized," said Tantowi Yahya..

Tantowi Yahya added, the positive stance of the people and the government of New Zealand towards Indonesia had helped his role as the Indonesian Ambassador to New Zealand, Samoa and Tonga in convincing the people and governments in other Pacific countries about about the importance of Indonesia's position in the Pacific. (VOI / ADVENT / AHM)

West Sumatra will apply a new normal order since June 8 to facilitate resumption of daily work and routine activities, as large-scale social restriction and distancing measures will be lifted on Sunday, the governor stated.

Nonetheless, all community members must consistently practice the government's healthcare and COVID-19 protocols while working, studying at schools, and conducting religious activities, West Sumatra Governor Irwan Prayitno stated in Padang, the capital of West Sumatra Province, on Saturday.

Speaking at the "halal bihalal," or post-Idul Fitri gathering, event held by the alumni of Andalas University's (Unand's) Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, he emphasized that consistency and discipline in practicing the COVID-19 protocols will be the key to successfully adapting to the new normal.

To this end, he stressed on the need to constantly practice preventive measures to contain the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak, such as by wearing face masks, maintaining recommended physical distancing measure, washing hands with soap, and reducing physical meetings.

Until this time, experts are yet uncertain as to when the COVID-19 pandemic can be brought under control amid the unavailability of this virus vaccine.

"It is impossible for us to enter a new normal life after this novel coronavirus pandemic totally ends," he stated. (ANTARA)

Jakarta (VOI News) - Several studies show smoking is one of the factors that can make smokers more at higher risk of infection and worsening complications of COVID-19. Chairman of the National Commission of Tobacco Control, dr. Hasbullah Thabrany, when contacted by Voice of Indonesia on Thursday (04/06) in Jakarta, warned of the dangers of smoking and a greater risk for smokers to be infected with the corona virus.

"More than 7 thousand chemicals that cause damage to the body and facilitate the growth of cancer is a danger that can not be avoided anymore. Therefore, we urge the public not to damage themselves, not to damage the family, not to slowly kill friends and family. It's time to stop, especially when there is a corona virus pandemic. It's time to stop smoking, it's time to stop poisoning your own family, it's time to stop poisoning our environment, workmates, friends and so on," said Hasbullah Thabrany..

Furthermore, Dr. Hasbullah Thabrany asked the community through the role of family to free their homes from cigarette smoke. He added the government needs to give a clearer message to the public that one of the precautions that must be done is to stop or at least reduce smoking, and provide guidance and assistance programs for people who want to stop smoking.

Citing WHO data released in 2020, he added, there was a tendency of the increase of the percentage of smokers in the population aged 15 years and over in Indonesia, not counting if smokers are using e-cigarettes (vape). At least the number of smokers has increased from 33% in 2000 to 39% in 2015. It is estimated that the number of smokers among young people continues to increase each year until now. (VOI / TGH)

Jakarta (VOI News) - The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Santiago, Chile, facilitates the repatriation of 31 Indonesian crew members who had been stranded in Chile since the country's government imposed a COVID-19 disaster emergency status on March 19, 2020. Muhammad Ramdhan, First Secretary of the Indonesian Embassy in Santiago, Chile, through a short message to Voice of Indonesia in Jakarta, Wednesday evening (04/06), said that the Indonesian Embassy in Santiago provides assistance to ensure all crew members have the required documents and are aware of the health protocol information upon arrival in Indonesia. He added, the repatriation of the 31 cre members is carried out in 2 phases, namely on 2 June and 9 June 2020.

"Of the 2 phases, the first phase departed from Chile on June 2 with the route Santiago, Sao Paulo Brazil, Doha Qatar then to Jakarta. The 2nd phase wave will depart from Chile on 9 June and arrive on 11 June. There are 31 Indonesian crew members from 6 ships who have been stranded in the working area of ​​the Indonesian Embassy in Santiago. Of the 31 crew members, the majority have already completed their working contracts, but there are 2 Indonesian crew members we handle because they had working accident," said Muhammad Ramdhan.

Muhammad Ramdhan further said that the first phase departing from Chile on June 2 consisted of 14 crew and landed in Jakarta on Thursday afternoon (04/06), while the second phase consisted of 17 crew members. While stranded in Chile, according to Muhammad Ramdhan, the Indonesian Embassy in Santiago also sent aid in the form of basic necessities and sanitary equipment such as hand sanitizers, masks and gloves for the crew members. (VOI / ADVENT/AHM)