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Photo archive. A staffer collected data on a student before getting vaccinated in Kendari Health Office, Southeast Sulawesi, on Saturday, December 11, 2021. (ANTARA PHOTOS/JOJON/my) - 

As many as 265,147 residents of Kendari or about 75 percent of the city's eligible target population for COVID-19 vaccination have received their first dose of the vaccine, according to a local health official.

Data from the Kendari Health Office demonstrated that as of Sunday, some 200,902 people or 75.77 percent of the 265,147 recipients had obtained the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine while 129,690 others had fully been vaccinated.

"The second dose (of vaccination) has been administered to 48.91 percent of the 265,147 recipients," Head of the Kendari Health Office Rahminingrum said in Kendari, the capital of Southeast Sulawesi Province, on Sunday.

She said that those getting vaccinated include human resources in the healthcare sector, public servants, elderly citizens, vulnerable people, workers, and teenagers.

A total of 4,151 people in the health care sector have been targeted for the vaccination program. In fact, as many as 5,690 people, or 137.08 percent of the target have received the first dose of vaccine while 5,229 recipients or 125.97 percent of the total number of vaccine recipients have obtained the second one.

The number of healthcare workers who had received the third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine was 3,414 people or 82.25 percent of the target, she said.

There were 37,810 public servants who were targeted for vaccination. The first dose of vaccination has been administered to 48,131 people, or 127.3 percent of the target, and the second dose of vaccination has been given to 33,119 people, or 87.59 percent of the target.

A total of 11,060 people, or 64.91 percent of the 17,040 elderly citizens who get targeted for the vaccination program have received the first dose of vaccine while 7,129 or 41.84 percent of the vaccine recipients had got the second dose of vaccine.

As for the general public and vulnerable groups, the authorities had set a target of vaccinating 170,409 people. A total of 105,306 people, or 61.8 percent of them, had received the first dose of vaccination, and 63,050 people or 37 percent of the vaccine recipients have received their second dose of vaccine.

For teenagers, the first dose of vaccination had been jabbed to 30,715 people or 85.95 percent of the targeted 35,737 teenagers, and the second dose of vaccination had been administered to 21,163, or 59.22 percent of the target.

Rahminingrum compelled the residents who have yet to receive COVID-19 vaccine to immediately get inoculated, so that they would have stronger defense against COVID-19.

She also reminded everyone of the importance of complying with the health protocols, even after undergoing vaccination.

"Stay disciplined (in applying) health protocols so that we can really escape out of this COVID-19 pandemic," she said//ANT

Inspector General of Communications and Informatics Doddy Setiadi, during the "Postal Opportunity in Rural Region in Digital e-Commerce" discussion at the Indonesia Pavilion, Expo 2020 Dubai, United Arab Emirates, here on Sunday (12/26/2021). (kominfo.go.id) - 

The Communication and Informatics Ministry (Kominfo) pushes for innovation and partnerships in e-commerce and logistics to support the economy in rural areas because online sellers on the outer islands, for instance, can sell online through their own online stores or online marketplaces.

"This can overcome the challenges of distance, low population density, and limited purchasing power in rural areas," Inspector General of the ministry's Communications and Informatics Doddy Setiadi said during the "Postal Opportunity in Rural Region in Digital e-Commerce" discussion at the Indonesia Pavilion, Expo 2020 Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The coronavirus pandemic is forcing merchants to close their stores and switch to online sales. At the same time, more and more people are using e-commerce platforms for grocery shopping.

Indonesia has recorded an increase of 21 million digital consumers since the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Kominfo, 72 percent of them come from rural areas.

"This figure shows the growth of e-commerce penetration in the largest market in Indonesia. This growth is ready to create added value in the digital era, as well as contribute to the development of a more inclusive e-commerce," Setiadi said in a press statement that ANTARA received here Sunday.

The trend of using e-commerce has triggered the need for reliable logistics services. Hence, the government seeks to ensure that Indonesia's postal logistics infrastructure is integrated nationally to reach unreached areas, and reduce the infrastructure gap between rural and urban areas, he said.

"The e-commerce trend will develop well if the products sold online can be delivered to customers in a reasonable price and time. Meanwhile, postal logistics channels offer worldwide delivery within a short distance for online sellers in rural areas," Setiadi said.

The e-commerce partnership with logistics services is one solution to develop the e-commerce market and open up opportunities for the community. The partnership will help improve logistics infrastructure, strengthen point-to-point services, and increase last-mile delivery.

Once partnerships are established, the logistics services will encourage businesses in rural areas to reach global customers.

"Postal logistics channels can effectively act as a counterweight by enabling businesses in rural areas to reach markets and customers anywhere, as well as address cohesion and infrastructure challenges," he said.

The role of postal and logistics operators is crucial in providing long-distance deliveries, both within the country and between countries.

"Postal and logistics operators support small-scale online sellers in rural areas in reaching their customers," Setiadi said.

The existence of digital infrastructure and platforms opens up opportunities for people living in rural areas to market their products online.

Sellers can stay in the villages while they stay connected with customers living elsewhere, both nationally and internationally//ANT

Director general of post and information technology resources and equipment at the Communication and Informatics Ministry, Ismail. (ANTARA/HO-kominfo.go.id/uyu) - 

The Communication and Informatics Ministry has invited investment in broadband technology from the private sector to accelerate digital transformation as part of efforts to achieve the 2025 Broadband Targets set by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

"By 2025, all countries are expected to have universal broadband policies," Director General of Post and Information Technology Resources and Equipment at the ministry, Ismail, said in a press release issued on Saturday.

The policies must encourage everyone to gain online access, affordable broadband services, digital literacy and skills, digital financial services, as well as gender equality in accessing the services, he noted.

Furthermore, higher penetration of fixed broadband and mobile broadband could help build the ability to mitigate the risk of economic decline due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the director general added.

"Fixed broadband provides the returns to scale economic effect for developed countries, while mobile broadband provides accessibility to developing countries,” he noted.

Indonesia, as a developing country that comprises tens of thousands of islands, requires equitable access to connectivity, especially for household and industry sectors, Ismail said.

The country is facing three challenges to improving its digital sector -- connectivity, digital divide amid the pandemic, and digital infrastructure expansion, he added.

Hence, the government has drawn a 2021–2024 Digital Indonesia Roadmap to transform its digital sector and recover its national economy, he said.

Thus, the ministry is continuing to improve telecommunications infrastructure and strengthen data governance, including cross-border data exchange, he added.

In 2021, the ministry focused on increasing 4G network access in disadvantaged areas, encouraging the joint utilization of infrastructure among telecommunication providers, and launching 5G networks, Ismail informed.

The implementation of 5G networks in Indonesia is expected to increase investment in the country by Rp591 trillion by 2030 and Rp719 trillion by 2035, he said.

The technology will also generate an additional 4.6 million and 5.1 million jobs in 2030 and 2035, respectively, he added.

In 2022, the ministry will improve the development of local start-ups so that Indonesia can become a financial technology hub for Southeast Asia in 2023, he said

Furthermore, the government will encourage the development of digital tourism in 2024, he informed//ANT

Personnel from the National Defense Force (TNI) distribute staple foods to low-income residents in Enarotali sub-district, Paniai district, Papua province. (ANTARA Papua/HO-Pendam XVII) - 

Personnel from the National Defense Force (TNI) have distributed staple foods to low-income residents in Enarotali sub-district, Paniai district, Papua province.

The assistance is part of TNI’s efforts to forge close relations with the local people, Commander of the Enarotali Sub-district Military Command, Major Marina Rumawak, said.

"The assistance of basic necessities is also aimed at helping (ease) the financial burden on the local people as the COVID-19 pandemic has not ended and sharing our love and affection on Christmas Day,” he added, according to a TNI press statement released on Saturday.

Rumawak further said he had reminded local residents to remain disciplined in following the health protocols in order to prevent COVID-19 transmission and urged them to report any security problems to the military command.

"By doing so, all problems can be immediately handled and Paniai district can remain secure, comfortable, and conducive,” he remarked//ANT