VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

National Library of Indonesia Establishes an MoU with the National Library of South Korea (Perpusnas) - 

The National Library (Perpusnas) has again established a memorandum of understanding (Memorandum of Understanding / MoU) with the National Library of South Korea (NLK). Previously, National Library with NLK established a memorandum of understanding in the library sector in 2015-2018.

The Head of National Library Muhammad Syarif Bando stated that the MoU which is scheduled to last for three years will provide great benefits for both countries in developing the capacity of library science.

In the previous MoU period, a number of activities were carried out including the National Library of Indonesia sending librarians for internships and workshops at the National Library of Children and Youth South Korea, the Leadership Conference of the National Libraries in Southeast Asia (ASEAN) and South Korea on reading promotion, and the collaborative program "Read Me a Book ”between NLK and national libraries in ASEAN.

He hopes, in the future, the exchange of information and knowledge, the delivery of human resources, and the exchange of library materials can continue. Especially at this time, in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, National Library continues to develop various excellent programs to serve the community.

One of them is the transformation of libraries based on social inclusion. He explained that this program was in line with the direction of President Joko Widodo and Vice President Ma'ruf Amin to anticipate the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the economy.

"The National Library is currently assisting thousands of marginalized people who then with books on applied science and life skills, they can finally open a business," he said.

Meanwhile, the Head of NLK Suh Hye Ran appreciated the signing of the MoU in the midst of a difficult situation due to Covid-19. "The MoU signed today is the main area of ​​cooperation, such as sharing information and knowledge about the library sector, exchanging libraries, visiting libraries with each other, exchanging library materials, and others," he said.

Currently, the realization of cooperation can be done by improving online services. Therefore, he hopes, the two agencies can carry out joint activities, namely sharing digital information sources and exchanging information technology from libraries. Facing the post-Covid-19 situation, he hopes, the two agencies can continue to develop cooperative relationships and contribute in spreading the value of libraries throughout the world//VOI/NK

Committed to ESG, Pertamina wins six 2021 Corporate Emission awards - 

Pertamina affirms its commitment to implementing Environment, Social & Governance (ESG) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 13 climate change, by supporting government programs to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that cause global warming.

According to the baseline that was set for 10 years from 2010- 2020, Pertamina Group has achieved emission reduction by 27.08%, or exceeded the target of 26% during that time.

The realization of that reduction was achieved through the emission reduction measures for operations and production activities, including the initiative to utilize flare gas and Langit Biru Program, which encourages people to use low-carbon emission fuels.

Deputy chief of Presidential Staff, Febry Calvin Tetelepta, during a coordination meeting with tourism stakeholders at the Bina Graha Building in Jakarta on Friday (May 7, 2021). (KSP) - 

The Indonesian government is drafting standard operating procedures (SOPs) for implementing health protocols under a pilot project for reopening Bintan, Batam, and Bali (3Bs) to tourists.

By drafting the SOPs, the government is seeking to ensure that tourist arrivals in the three destinations do not lead to the entry of new virus variants and tourists remain in good health, deputy chief of Presidential Staff, Febry Calvin Tetelepta, said at the Bina Graha Building in Jakarta on Friday.

"The SOPs for health protocols will involve cooperation among the central government, regional governments, and communities," he added.

At a coordination meeting attended by representatives from the Foreign Ministry, the Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry, the Law and Human Rights Ministry, the Communication and Informatics Ministry, the Health Ministry, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), and regional governments, Febry said the SOPs must include surveillance of tracking and tracing of tourists.As part of preparations for the implementation of the pilot project, ministries/institutions and regional governments will coordinate in preparing tourist destinations for their reopening, he disclosed.

For instance, the Foreign Ministry has established an essential travel corridor arrangement (TCA) with China, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, and Singapore to facilitate urgent business and diplomatic trips, he pointed out.

The Law and Human Rights Ministry is drafting a policy to support tourist visas through the revision of its regulation number 26 of 2020, he added.

The Health Ministry will support the accelerated vaccination of tourism and creative economy workers and people living near the location for the pilot project.

The Communication and Informatics Ministry is preparing super apps for the purpose of tracing and tracking through the synchronization of the e-HAC system at the Health Ministry with the PeduliLindungi system, Tetelepta said.The government is aware of the urgency for reviving the tourism industry in several tourist destinations without delay, he said.

To that end, it is seeking to implement a pilot project for the limited and gradual opening of tourist destinations in Bintan, Batam, and Bali, he added.

The three tourist destinations account for the biggest chunk of tourist arrivals in Indonesia and have passed a stringent verification process conducted by the Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry, he said.

The pilot project will focus on Lagoi in Bintan, Nongsa in Batam, and Sanur, Nusa Dua, and Ubud in Bali.

Meanwhile, the Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry and the Riau Islands and Bali provincial governments and the Batam city government have assured the preparedness of the three tourist destinations through the application of CHSE (clean, health, safety, and environment) and stringent health protocols, Tetelepta said.

"Through the various preparations, the pilot project for the opening of tourist destinations in Bintan, Batam, and Bali will run well so that the local people's economy can rebound without violating the health protocols," he added//ANT

A truck moves on the Salatiga-Solo toll road section in Central Java on Friday (May 7, 2021). As a result of the homecoming travel ban, the number of vehicles departing from Jakarta to other cities in Java has dropped by 53 percent. (ANTARA FOTO/Aloysius Jarot Nugroho/foc) - 

The Indonesian police turned back 23,573 vehicles from 381 checkpoints across the country on the first day of the Eid-al-Fitr homecoming travel ban on Thursday.

The vehicles comprised 12,267 cars, 7,352 motorcycles, 2,148 passenger cars, and 1,768 cargo cars, chief of the public relations division of the National Police, Inspector General Argo Yuwono, revealed in a written statement released on Friday.

"The total number of vehicles turned around on the first day for alleged homecoming trip is 23,573," he said.

The homecoming travel ban, which will remain in force till May 17, 2021, has been imposed at 381 checkpoints stretching from Lampung province to Bali province.

The ban applies to not just private cars and buses, but also other kinds of passenger cars.

As a result of the homecoming travel ban, the number of vehicles departing from Jakarta to other cities in Java has dropped by 53 percent, Argo said.

"At the Cikampek main toll gate, the number of vehicles was recorded at 8,732 compared to 19,338 during the normal situation," he added.

The COVID-19 Handling Task Force has issued Circular Number 13 of 2021 on the homecoming travel ban to stem virus transmission during Eid al-Fitr celebrations.

The ban excludes logistics distribution service vehicles and travelers who need to travel urgently for non-homecoming purposes, specifically for work or business, to visit sick family members, or attend funerals of family members.

Pregnant women are allowed to be accompanied by one family member, and for childbirth purposes, accompanied by a maximum of two people, as per the circular//ANT