VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Illustration of technical evaluation of the Boeing 737MAX aircraft. (ANTARA/HO-Transportation Ministry/rst) - 

The Indonesian Transportation Ministry, through the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, will lift the ban on the operation of Boeing 737-8 (737MAX) aircraft in Indonesia following thorough investigation and repair of the aircraft system.

"We have coordinated with aviation authorities and operators around the world, especially in the ASEAN. Several countries have allowed to operate the 737MAX aircraft. Following this development, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation had prepared to lift the ban on the operations of 737MAX aircraft," Director General of Civil Aviation Novie Riyanto stated here Tuesday.

Riyanto noted that his side had conducted a technical evaluation of the flight control design's changes and evaluated the pilot's workload for the Boeing 737MAX aircraft at the Boeing Flight Services Simulator in Singapore.

The event was physically attended by representatives of the United States' Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in Singapore, and Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), Boeing, and virtually attended by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, FAA, and Boeing Seattle.

"During the evaluation process, we conducted flight test and adjusted to the changes in the flight control design using the Boeing 737MAX simulator," he revealed.

The Directorate General of Air Transportation is also coordinating with flight operators to prepare for the re-operation of the 737MAX, both from a regulatory and technical perspective.

Several aspects that need to be prepared, include the issuance of airworthiness orders in accordance with the FAA provisions and preparations for training and implementation of simulators for pilots according to the 737MAX technical guidelines referring to Boeing.

"Several flight operators stated that they have implemented airworthiness orders for 737MAX aircraft in accordance with the FAA provisions and will prepare training and simulation at the nearest facility in Singapore," Riyanto stated.

Riyanto also noted that his side did not adopt the CB Stick Shaker removal procedure that can eliminate interference to the pilot and potentially increase the pilot's workload and potential to reduce safety.

In addition, his side will issue an Airworthiness Order and issue a letter to revoke the ban on flying the Boeing 737MAX aircraft in Indonesian airspace. The Transportation Ministry will also issue a circular letter to flight operators using the B737MAX aircraft, to fulfill all aspects pertaining to the airworthiness, operation, and safety of the B737MAX aircraft.

Riyanto urged all airlines to fulfill the regulation and commit to complying with these safety provisions before the Boeing 737MAX aircraft returned to operate in Indonesia.

"We would also like to thank the FAA and Boeing for having supported us in the preparations for lifting the ban on the operation of the B737MAX aircraft," he said//ANT

Vice President Ma'ruf Amin at the 2021 Corporate Performance Rating Rating Program Award in Environmental Management (Proper) at the Vice Presidential Palace, Jakarta, on Tuesday, December 28, 2021. (ANTARA/HO-Setwapres) - 

Vice President Ma'ruf Amin praised various companies for their efforts in boosting Indonesia's COVID-19 vaccination rate through vaccination programs targeting over 200 thousand people.

"I laud this disaster response program as it has been able to encourage companies' actual contribution in fighting COVID-19," Amin stated at the 2021 Corporate Performance Rating Rating Program Award in Environmental Management (Proper) at the Vice Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday.

The vaccination programs conducted by these companies managed to administer the first dose of vaccine to over 230 thousand people and nearly 167 thousand people for the second dose.

Amin also commended the application of criteria for disaster sensitivity and responsiveness in the 2021 Proper Award as indicators for the companies to fulfill in order to bag the award.

"This criterion is very humane, as it calls for commitment from the company leadership to protect their employees," he remarked.

Amin also voiced his support for the cessation of employment termination in the midst of a pandemic.

"Not to terminate employment and increase community empowerment programs in terms of recovering from the pandemic's impacts," he remarked.

The Proper award aims to gauge or encourage industry compliance with environmental protection and management laws and regulations. Their rating is divided into two categories, with one being based on adherence (Blue, Red, Black) and beyond compliance (Gold and Green).

Some 645 companies were placed in the Red category, 1,670 companies were listed under the Blue category, 186 companies categorized as Green, and 47 companies ranked in the Gold category.

The award takes into account several criteria for environmental management and community empowerment that comprise environmental management systems, energy efficiency, emission and greenhouse gas reduction, water efficiency, B3 waste reduction and utilization, 3R waste management, biodiversity protection, community development, implementation of life cycle assessment, and social return on investment.

"I expect that this achievement will continue to be maintained and improved. If there are companies that still fall in the red category, I appeal (to them) to work hard to catch up, so that they could meet (proper) environmental standards as stipulated in various government regulations," he concluded//ANT

Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati at #PahlawanVaksin (#VaccineHeroes) online talk show in Jakarta on Tuesday. (Dec 28, 2021). ANTARA/Agatha Olivia - 

The government, businesses, and people stand to learn a lot from the COVID-19 pandemic to improve themselves in future, Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati stated.

"I always emphasize this while conversing with the Finance Ministry's officials, as we may not see another situation of such magnitude in future," Indrawati stated on #PahlawanVaksin (#VaccineHeroes) online talk show in Jakarta on Tuesday.

The current generation could set a precedent for future references if another pandemic or large-scale economic downturn were to occur in future, the minister noted.

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed a great challenge for the national economy despite the country having earlier faced similar epidemics, such as SARS and Ebola epidemic, albeit, on a lesser scale and effect, she noted.

Indrawati highlighted that the COVID-19 pandemic had set a precedent about the necessity for a flexible national budget without diminishing budget transparency and accountability.

"Sometimes, the main budget issue is not about the money itself but is about the budget governance," the minister remarked.

She pointed out service quality differences between national hospitals, despite the COVID-19 budget being available, had hindered efforts to provide the best services for patients.

Indrawati also noted budget management issues in regions were caused by the reluctance of some provincial authorities to proceed with financial adjustments necessitated by the pandemic due to the lack of legal basis.

With regard to the provincial authorities' reluctance, the minister highlighted that the central government still needed to amend some regulations before disbursing the necessary budget for COVID-19 pandemic handling purposes.

The amendment to the regulation yet must consider the accountability factor, as budget utilization will be audited by the national Audit Board, she added.

"In this kind of crisis, besides being quick and flexible, we also need to maintain our stability and transparency," Indrawati remarked//ANT

Workers stand at a platform next to Senegal's new commuter trains at a train station during the launch ceremony of th Dakar, Senegal, December 27, 2021. REUTERS/Elodie Toto - 

A new US$1.3 billion commuter railway in Senegal meant to ease traffic gridlock and modernise a crumbling public transport system made its inaugural journey from the capital Dakar on Monday.

The Regional Express will connect Dakar with Diamniadio, an industrial city being built on a dusty plain about 40 kilometres away.

The first new railway since independence from France in 1960 is a cornerstone of President Macky Sall's Senegal Emergent plan, which includes a new airport, roads, sports arenas and a sleek conference centre.

The projects have burnished Senegal's image as one of Africa's fastest-growing economies. And the air-conditioned trains are expected to reduce pollution in Dakar, where banged-up old buses and taxis hurl clouds of black smoke as they inch towards the capital each morning.

"Senegalese people deserve to travel in comfort and safety, while controlling their time, with a mass transport system that meets the best international standards," the government said in a statement on Monday.

The 45-minute ride with built-in Wi-Fi will cost nearly US$3 in a country where half the population lives in poverty, though shorter trips will be cheaper.

About 115,000 passengers are expected to commute daily on the train between Dakar and Diamniadio, the government said. Further extensions will connect the main airport and eventually other cities and towns in the coming years//CNA