VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Biden administration to unveil more climate policies, urges China to toughen emissions target (John Kerry) - AFP

US President Joe Biden's administration next week will release more policies it believes are needed to tackle climate change and is urging China to toughen one of its targets on greenhouse gas emissions, his top climate advisers said on Saturday (Jan 23). Gina McCarthy, the White House's national climate adviser, did not say what policies would be released. A memo seen by Reuters on Thursday showed Biden will unveil a second round of executive orders as soon as Jan 27 that include an omnibus order to combat climate change domestically and elevate the issue as a national security priority.

John Kerry, Biden's special climate envoy, said a recent pledge by China, the world's top greenhouse gas emitter, was "not good enough"

The United States, the world's second leading emitter, has to do better than getting to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, perhaps through emerging technologies such as capturing carbon dioxide directly from the air, Kerry said.

Tackling climate change did not mean a diminishment of lifestyle, such as driving less or not being able to eat meat, he said. The Biden administration, mayors and other local leaders will have to persuade Americans that curbing climate change "can be the greatest economic transformation in global history", Kerry said//CNA

Portuguese brave COVID-19 lockdown for presidential polls - AFP

Portuguese voters have been asked to venture out despite the country's pandemic lockdown on Sunday (Jan 24) for a presidential election widely expected to see centre-right incumbent Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa win another term.

Polls point to a first-round win for Rebelo de Sousa, a former political commentator turned approachable head of state known for candid moments like queuing at the supermarket in shorts, plunging into the sea to help girls whose canoe had capsized or sharing a meal with homeless people.

Portugal has been under a second national lockdown for the past 10 days aimed at braking a surge in coronavirus cases.

The country recorded its worst daily coronavirus death toll and number of new infections on Saturday bringing fatalities to more than 10,000.

More than 80,000 infections were reported in the past week to Friday, the highest rate worldwide in proportion to its 10.8 million people, according to an AFP tally based on government figures.

Almost every new day brings a fresh record in case numbers, and the government has now shut schools for two weeks on top of shops and restaurants//CNA

Erick Thohir elected as chief of Sharia Economic Community - ANT

State-Owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir was on Saturday elected chief of the Sharia Economic Community (MES) for the 2021-2024 term during its congress.

"Bismillah (In the name of Allah), this is a mandate that I must keep. I feel honored to lead an organization which has a concrete vision and mission for the development of the sharia economy in Indonesia," Erick Thohir said in a written statement issued on Saturday.

He said the COVID-19 pandemic has created the momentum for the sharia economy to rise and have better resistance to upheaval.

"The pandemic offers a momentum to show that the sharia economy has better resistance to upheaval and crisis," he remarked.Thohir will replace Wimboh Santoso, chief of the Financial Service Authority (OJK), who held the post of MES chairman for the 2017-2020 period.

He was elected MES chief based on a decision made by an 11-member selection team formed during the congress.

Chief of the selection team, KH Ma'ruf Amin, who is also the Indonesian Vice President, said the selection of the MES chief was based on many considerations.

"The election of Mr. Erick Thohir as the new MES chairman has gone through quite a long selection process. Many aspects must be considered (during the selection process) ranging from qualifications, competency, to commitment to developing the sharia economy,” Amin said.

"The presence of Mr. Erick Thohir is (giving the MES) new energy. We are all waiting for his steps and strategies for (taking) MES ahead," he remarked//ANT

Indonesia: Support safe, transformative digital ecosystem in ASEAN - ANT

Indonesia is encouraging the creation of a safe and transformative digital ecosystem in support of the planned cooperation between ASEAN and Japan in the telecommunications sector.

"It (the cooperation) will be directed towards the development of a digital community and economic block, which will hinge on technological service and a safe and transformative (digital) ecosystem," Minister of Communication and Informatics, Johnny G. Plate, was quoted as saying in a press statement released on Saturday.

He made the remarks during a virtual dialog between ASEAN Digital Ministers and Japanese Minister of Home Affairs and Communication, Masayoshi Shintani, which took place on the sidelines of the 1st ASEAN Digital Ministers’ Meeting (ADGMIN), held from January 18 to January 22, 2021.Minister Plate said the planned cooperation between ASEAN and Japan in information and communication technology will be in line with Indonesia's priority, including the development of 4G digital infrastructure across Indonesia, initial dissemination of 5G, and upholding of cyber security to support security, data reliability, and digital infrastructure.In addition, the planned cooperation will involve use of digital technology in the health sector, including in efforts to manage COVID-19 and the vaccine program, he pointed out.

Indonesia believes that strong connectivity is a prerequisite for digital transformation to strengthen economic capacity in ASEAN, Plate remarked.

Meanwhile, the management of data, which has significant economic value, needs a framework that is jointly agreed upon, he said.

"I would like to reaffirm that data has significant economic value which must be supported by a special framework of cross border data flow. More importantly, respect for personal data protection, and principles of reciprocity, fairness, lawfulness, and transparency are fundamental things in each cooperation platform," he added//ANT