VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Papua provincial government secretary Dance Yulian Flassy. (ANTARA/Hendrina Dian Kandipi) - 

In the wake of PT Telkom’s undersea cable break, the Papua provincial administration has urged all community members to remain calm and not to respond to rumors of sabotage.

"This undersea fiber optic cable breakage, which occurred about 700 kilometers away from the waters of Sarmi district, is a force majeure," the Papua provincial government's secretary, Dance Yulian Flassy, told ANTARA in Jayapura on Saturday.

The cable break has disrupted the telecommunication giant's services in Jayapura city and the districts of Jayapura and Sarmi, but PT Telkom customers in the southern parts of Papua province have not been affected, he informed.

The provincial government’s communication and informatics officials have been discussing the matter and ways to address the impact of the cable breakage with their counterparts at the PT Telkom-Papua Office, Flassy said.

"We hope the telecommunication services remain available ahead of the Idul Fitri festivity, which marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadhan," he remarked.

He also urged people to remain calm and not to get provoked by rumors surrounding the cable break.

The services offered by state-owned telecommunications enterprise PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia (Telkom) in Jayapura city and the districts of Jayapura and Sarmi have been disrupted since Friday, following the breaking of undersea fiber optic cables located between Sarmi and Biak.

"We apologize for the inconvenience caused to our customers," head of the PT Telkom-Papua Office, Sugeng Widodo, said earlier.

The company would require a month’s time to resolve the problem, he added.

The telecommunications major tried to provide partial satellite-based services to affected customers, though they could not be optimally served, he said.

ANTARA has reported on repeated disruptions in telecommunication services in Papua over the past few years.In August, 2019, for instance, telecommunication company Telkomsel's services in Jayapura were disrupted after its main fiber optic cables were cut by unknown persons//ANT

Philip Gobang, special staff to the Minister of Communication and Informatics - 

Accelerating digital transformation is among the priority programs in the information and communication technology (ICT) field, as targeted by President Joko Widodo during his second term, Philip Gobang, communication and informatics minister’s special staff, stated.

"Five areas elicit attention in managing digital transformation during the COVID-19 pandemic," Gobang remarked while addressing a webinar and workshop on "Encouraging the Creation and Innovation of Flobamora MSMEs" organized in Maumere, Sikka, East Nusa Tenggara, on Saturday.

The first area of focus is to expedite the expansion of access and increase in digital infrastructure, such as the provision of internet services in 12,500 villages and urban villages and at public service points.

The second aspect is urging relevant authorities to prepare a digital transformation roadmap in strategic sectors, including the government, public services, social assistance, education, health, trade, industry, and broadcasting.The third area of focus is to speed up the integration of national data centers.

The fourth aspect concerns preparing human resources, especially digital talent. Indonesia needs a digital skilled workforce of some nine million over the next 15 years, or approximately 600 thousand per year, he remarked.

The fifth aspect is to prepare digital transformation planning, regulations-related matters, funding schemes, and digital transformation financing.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a sharp increase in the use of internet and expedited digital transformation.

It has additionally pushed for the acceleration of equitable distribution of ICT across Indonesia.

Telecommunication infrastructure, as a national priority infrastructure, has contributed directly to national economic growth and equitable development for society, he stated.

"MSMEs currently rely heavily on online sales since physical activity is restricted to reduce the spread of COVID-19," he remarked.

The Ministry of Communication and Informatics supports MSMEs to properly utilize the existing digital space facilities, so that they can become a pillar of the national economy, according to Gobang//ANT

Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs, Muhadjir Effendy, observes the mass vaccination of interfaith figures at UMSU Medan, here on Saturday (May 1, 2021). (ANTARA/HO) - 

Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs Muhadjir Effendy has invited religious figures and leaders to educate people about the importance of stemming COVID-19 transmission.

"COVID-19 is not over. The fight against COVID-19 is still ongoing. Vaccine is only one weapon, not the only weapon that will be able to solve the pandemic," Muhadjir stressed while observing the mass vaccination of interfaith figures at the North Sumatra Muhammadiyah University (UMSU) Medan on Saturday.

Public adherence to health protocols needs to be emphasized, especially since worship and religious events have been allowed in mosques during Ramadhan, he said.

"(Health protocols) should not be ignored, but tightened even more. Because if the (COVID-19) transmission becomes wider, it will worsen the economic and public health conditions," he cautioned.The minister also urged people who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 to take good care of their health by avoiding strenuous activities and adjusting their diet.

He said the effectiveness of the vaccine really depends on the condition of the body. In people who are busy or don't get enough rest, the vaccine doesn't work optimally, he added.

"So it needs adjustments to achieve this effectiveness. Just like taking medicine, if we take medicine, but we don't take rest, then the drug will not work optimally. Likewise with this vaccine. It won't work either," the minister elaborated//ANT

Indonesian Labor Minister Ida Fauziyah during a group photo after handing over assistance to workers' representatives while celebrating May Day 2021 at the Center for Job Training Development of the Ministry in Bekasi City of West Java Province, on Saturday. (ANTARA/ Pradita Kurniawan Syah) - 

The Indonesian Labor Ministry extended assistance of varying forms at the commemoration of International Labor Day 2021 at the Center for Job Training Development of the ministry in Bekasi City, West Java Province.

"Happy Labor Day. I hope our workers would become more productive, competitive, and prosperous," Labor Minister Ida Fauziyah stated after handing over assistance to workers here on Saturday.

The aid comprised 18 thousand packages of basic food for workers and 85 packages of assistance for business facilities in the independent labor programs for laid-off workers, and provision of the COVID-19 vaccine to 800 workers.

"We also laud companies that have persisted and are able to make various adjustments during the COVID-19 pandemic," the minister remarked.

Furthermore, the ministry has offered Eid packages to health workers and non-medical supporters working at the Wisma Atlet Kemayoran, Jakarta, as a form of the government’s concern for the fighters involved in handling the COVID-19 pandemic.

Minister Fauziyah affirmed that the assistance was extended as a morale-boosting step for health workers to stay enthusiastic and continue to extend help and care for people infected with COVID-19.

"Keep up the spirit and continue to work hard in order to realize all achievements to build Indonesia. Long live all workers in Indonesia and around the world," she remarked.

Meanwhile, President of the Confederation of All Indonesian Trade Unions (KSBSI), Eli Rosita Silaban, lauded and encouraged all trade unions and laborers across Indonesia to continue to harbor a fighting spirit amid the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Happy International Labor Day. I hope we are always healthy. We do not celebrate it in a big way, but still solemnly. We will continue to assist the government in its efforts to eliminate the spread of COVID-19," she stressed.

Chairman of the Indonesian Employers' Association (Apindo) Hariyadi Sukamdani emphasized that the commemoration of May Day 2021 offers the necessary momentum for economic recovery through collaboration with all parties, so that the COVID-19 pandemic can be tackled at the earliest.

"It is time to strengthen synergy between the government, employers, and workers. Currently, the employment of labor has also begun to show an increasing trend. It is expected to continue to increase and compensate for the decline that occurred at the start of the pandemic in order to prepare for further investment," she stated//ANT