VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Researchers say La Nina could trigger floods, heat waves, and typhoons around the world. (REUTERS/Ag Alagoas/Thiago/rst) - 

The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) urged the public to be aware of the impacts of La Nina that could likely occur during the period from October 2021 to February 2022 in Indonesia.

"We are now not only fighting the pandemic but also other disasters, specifically the hydrometeorological disaster," Head of BNPB, Liutenant General Ganip Warsito, noted in a written statement received here, Saturday.

Warsito held a La Nina Anticipation National Coordination Meeting online with related parties to prepare anticipatory steps.

Indonesia was largely hit by hydrometeorological disasters -- floods, cyclones, and landslides -- in the last five years, according to the BNPB.

The anticipatory efforts were made by checking and ensuring the readiness of personnel, tools, facilities, and other supporting infrastructure. This can be achieved by holding preparatory meetings by all components in the provinces and districts and cities.

Furthermore, at the regional level, the local government were urged to prepare a contingency plan for its regions. The BNPB has also instructed the Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPD) to prepare a strategic plan for dealing with hydrometeorological disasters.

"The government can also prepare an emergency alert status in its territory if needed," Warsito noted.

Efforts to mitigate hydrometeorological disasters in the short term can be made by planting vegetation, cleaning waterways, repairing river embankment, and optimizing drainage strengthening, Warsito noted.

In addition, the BNPB has urged local governments, especially BPBDs, to always educate the public regarding preparations for hydrometeorological disasters.

The public should learn about the dangers of prolonged spells of rains in the slope area along the river. If it rains for over an hour, with visibility less than 30 meters, then the community must be evacuated temporarily.

For long-term mitigation, Warsito emphasized that spatial planning must conducted accordingly and take into account the disaster aspects.

"In the case of landslides, people must avoid using critical land as a housing complex," he added//ANT

Several murals are painted during the competition of the 70th Anniversary of Police Public Relations held by the NTT Police Public Relations in Kupang City, East Nusa Tenggara, Saturday, (October 30, 2021). (ANTARA/Kornelis Kaha/KT) - 

A total of 22 mural artists participated in the mural competition at the 70th Anniversary of Police Public Relations held by the East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Police Public Relations in Kupang City.

"In NTT, 22 artists participated. One of them represented NTT at the Police Headquarters in Jakarta," NTT Police Chief Inspector General Lotharia Latif noted here on Saturday.

The statement was delivered in connection with the implementation of "Bhayangkara Mural Festival 2021."

Latif stated that the implementation of the mural competition was a great event wherein mural artists can showcase their creative ideas through their artwork for public viewing.

"Earlier, the National Police chief had noted that any idea can be turned into art, and even criticism could be depicted in a mural," he stated.

Latif believes that mural paintings can beautify slum areas. The existence of mural artists and their arts can certainly offer educational value for the community visiting the location of the mural art.

Furthermore, youngest among the mural artists was one still studying in junior high school.

"Since an early age, he has started to channel his ideas and creativity into this activity," Latif remarked.

As Antara reported, the implementation of this year's Mural Festival Competition by the National Police Public Relations became an attraction for people, who visited the site.

For implementation of the competition, the NTT Police collaborated with the Lippo Plaza shopping center to provide empty walls to be painted on.

Also, Latif has affirmed that his team is not anti-criticism, as criticism is a tool for self-improvement.

Not only in NTT, but the competition was also held across the country by the National Police.

Some 803 artists across Indonesia participated in the Bhayangkara Mural Festival 2021, National Police Public Relations Head Inspector General Argo Yuwono stated.

Yuwono said the mural artists' mindset revolution and activities have showcased the point of view outside his circles//ANT

The arrival of 819,600 Moderna vaccines on Saturday, October 30, 2021. (ANTARA/HO) - 

Indonesia has received 819,600 doses of the Moderna vaccine from the Dutch government as of Saturday to support the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, an official has said.

"The Indonesian government expresses its highest appreciation and gratitude to allied countries that have helped in supporting vaccinations," director general of information and public communication at the Communications and Information Technology Ministry, Usman Kansong, said in a press statement released on Saturday.

The vaccines were the 108th batch to arrive in Indonesian and were received in the finished form, he informed.

Adding the Dutch consignment, the total number of vaccine doses received by Indonesia has reached 313,155,360, he said. The vaccines are from various brands and have been received in both finished and bulk forms, he added.

The vaccines have been obtained through direct purchase and assistance from allied countries, he informed.

"The smooth arrival of vaccines has made efforts to accelerate and expedite the vaccination program more optimal," Kansong remarked.

In addition to ensuring the availability of vaccine stocks, the government is trying to expedite vaccinations by educating the public, he said. In particular, it is making efforts to counter false news or hoaxes about the COVID-19 vaccine, he added.

He said that these hoaxes have stalled the vaccination process in some areas. This is because false news exaggerating the effects of the vaccines has fueled concerns among the people, he explained.

He stressed that all COVID-19 vaccines administered in the country have been deemed safe, efficacious, and permissible by the National Agency of Drug and Food Control. He said he expected people who have not received vaccinations to immediately get inoculated.

Those who have been vaccinated must also encourage their families and people around them to get the shot, he added.

This is in line with the government's measures to raise the vaccination rate in the regions as well as to anticipate the third wave of COVID-19, he said.

The government has also urged people to continue to follow the health protocols and remain vigilant to avoid a new wave of COVID-19 cases, he added//ANT

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin attends a news conference in Beijing, China, Nov 9, 2020. (File photo: Reuters/Tingshu Wang) - 

China on Saturday (Oct 30) warned Lithuania and European officials not to disrupt ties over decisions by Taiwan and the Baltic country to open reciprocal representative offices.

China demanded in August that Lithuania withdraw its ambassador in Beijing and said it would recall China's envoy to Vilnius after Taiwan announced that its office in Vilnius would be called the Taiwanese Representative Office in Lithuania.

Other Taiwan offices in Europe and the United States use the name of the city Taipei, avoiding a reference to the island itself, which China claims as its own territory.

Lithuania said earlier this year it planned to open a representative office in Taiwan, a decision that also angered Beijing.

China "resolutely opposes" official contacts between countries that have diplomatic relations with China and authorities in Taiwan, Wang Wenbin, a foreign ministry spokesman said in a statement on its website.

"We urge the Lithuanian government to abide by the solemn political commitments made when establishing diplomatic relations with China and not to make irreversible wrong decisions," Wang said.

"The European side should adopt a correct position and prevent interference with the healthy development of China-EU relations."

China's Xinhua official news agency said Wang's comments followed a joint letter from the presidents of the European Council and the European Commission expressing concern over China's criticisms of the representative offices//CNA