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Minister stresses ASEAN cooperation to expedite digital transformation - Kominfo

Indonesian Minister of Communication and Informatics, Johnny G. Plate, has highlighted the importance of cooperation between ASEAN member states and other countries to expedite digital transformation to support economic recovery amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We believe that the spirit of ASEAN collaboration must focus on addressing the pandemic. We also must take maximum advantage of digitalization to boost economic recovery soon. Efforts must be made to help the most vulnerable group and none of them will be left behind,” Plate said during the 1st ASEAN Digital Minister's Meeting (ADGMIN), according to a press statement released on Saturday.

At the online meeting, he underscored the significance of data security and sovereignty, data governance, and cooperation, and discussions on the exchange of cross border data flow that meets the principles of reciprocity, lawfulness, fairness, and transparency.The series of virtual meetings were held from January 18 to January 22, 2021 to mark the launch of the ASEAN Digital Masterplan 2025 (ADM 2025) and the Putrajaya Declaration.

ADM 2025 is ASEAN’s vision to create a digital economy and community that needs to be supported by equal connectivity across ASEAN, regulations supporting innovations and development of e-government services, and sufficient digital literacy and skills.

ASEAN member states have agreed on eight targets on the development of the digital sector that need to be implemented by 2025, including the realization of ADM 2025, which gives priority to the recovery of ASEAN member states from the pandemic, improvement of quality and coverage of fixed and mobile broadband infrastructure, and provision of safe digital services.

ADM 2025 also covers building a competitive and sustainable market which supports the provision of digital services, improvement of the quality and use of e-government services, and provision of digital services to connect businesses//ANT

UK will be the president of the G7 in 2021, hosting the leaders’ summit in Cornwall in June

Prime Ministers and Presidents from the world’s leading developed, democratic nations will come together in Cornwall in June to address shared challenges, from beating coronavirus and tackling climate change, to ensuring that people everywhere can benefit from open trade, technological change and scientific discovery. The summit will be held in Carbis Bay, Cornwall from 11-13th June 2021. Australia, India and South Korea invited as guest countries, meaning summit participants will represent 2.2 billion people and over half of the world’s economy. 

“The G7 is a unique international forum, bringing the world’s leading open, developed, outward-looking democratic nations together to respond to the latest global challenges. Indonesia is a crucial partner for all G7 members, with dialogue with the world’s fourth most populous country making crucial contributions to action on key issues on the G7 agenda, such as climate change and sustainable recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. The G7 can achieve results as a small and informal group, allowing leaders to be honest and open with each other" British Ambassador to Indonesia and Timor Leste, Owen Jenkins said on the press release received by Voice of Indonesia on Saturday. 

"In past years the G7 has taken action to strengthen the global economy, save 27 million lives from Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria and supported the education of millions of children in the poorest countries. In 2016 its members led the way in helping secure the historic Paris Climate Agreement to limit global emissions. The G7 has an opportunity to lead the global recovery from coronavirus: protecting peoples’ health, creating quality jobs and tackling climate change. Our role as President allows us to direct the G7 agenda – so we can tackle our big shared challenges like coronavirus and climate change.” Ambassador Jenkins explain. 

The UK Prime Minister will use the first in-person G7 summit in almost two years to ask leaders to seize the opportunity to build back better from coronavirus, uniting to make the future fairer, greener and more prosperous. 

The UK will also host a number of meetings throughout the year between Government Ministers from the G7, both virtually and in different locations across the UK – ensuring many areas of the country experience the benefits of the UK’s G7 Presidency. 

These ministerial summits will cover economic, environmental, health, trade, technology, development and foreign policy issues//NK

Visitors took part in the release of green turtles (Chelonia mydas) in Sindhu Beach, Sanur, Denpasar, Bali in August, 2020. ANTARA PHOTO/Nyoman Hendra Wibowo/nym/foc.

The habits of people of Enggano Island, a 400-square-kilometer island in Enggano District, Bengkulu Province, have partly changed.

In the past, the island’s villagers hunted green turtles (Chelonia mydas) that were used in preparing dishes for traditional events and weddings.

They cooked 10 to 30 green turtles, each weighing between 30 and 40 kilograms, for a traditional ceremony.

However, currently, the people of Enggano have begun switching from consuming the meat of green turtles to other sources of protein, such as beef.

Local fishermen, including Syamsul Anwar, 34, are slowly abandoning the habit of hunting turtles. Anwar had hunted green turtles since the age of 17.

Akin to other turtle hunters, Anwar sailed to the sea at night to make it easier to spot the white legs of turtles in the water. In the earlier days, he could catch a glimpse of at least 10 green turtles in four days.

The turtles caught by Anwar were not to be sold, but instead, were given for free to people, who held traditional ceremonies or celebrations. Anwar only received money for cigarettes and gasoline.

After some years passed by, Anwar stopped hunting turtles. He is now actively involved in activities to conserve the species.

“I used to hunt turtles, but now, I play with them in the sea. Seeing the turtles swimming and eating naturally really touches my heart,” Anwar stated in an interview with ANTARA in Malakoni Village of Enggano Island at the end of 2020.Anwar then told ANTARA that the awareness of protecting the species came from his experience of raising a fist-sized baby turtle.

"I raised turtles for two years. They were never big but the same size. I then thought about the turtle weighing 30-40 kilograms that I had hunted and how long it took for it to grow that big," he stated.

Mulling over the life of green turtles made Anwar realize that the large sea turtles in the Cheloniidae family took a long time to grow. Their populations were prone to extinction if they were continuously hunted.

Anwar then immersed himself in conservation activities that comprised efforts to conserve turtles, protect coral reefs, and conduct reforestation of mangroves.

Since having stopped the hunting of green turtles, Anwar sometimes becomes a tour guide or accompanies traditional guests keen on knowing about Enggano Island.The large number of immigrants, who built cattle and goat farms, as well as a decline in the green turtle population contributed to a shift in the habits of the people of Enggano.

Head of Malakoni Village Tedy Sunardi stated that before turtle hunting was rampant on Enggano Island, people could easily find turtles the size of a dining table.

However, currently, Sunardi noted that the largest turtle to be found was the size of a chair.

"The turtle population continues to decline, and it is feared to become extinct. Hence, youth activities are now focused on conservation," Sunardi expounded.

In a bid to support conservation efforts by youth groups, the village has allocated Rp10 million to Rp15 million (around US$713 to US$1.069) annually. In a bid to protect the green turtle population, youth groups and villagers guard the turtle eggs, so that they can hatch safely on the beach. If they find turtles caught in nets, fishermen will attempt to release them even if they have to destroy their nets//ANT

The head of the COVID-19 Handling Task Force Doni Monardo - NK/VOI

Head of the COVID-19 Handling Task Force Doni Monardo tested positive for the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

"Based on the PCR test last night, I received a positive result for COVID-19, with CT Value 25, this morning," Monardo noted in a statement here on Saturday.

Monardo, concurrently head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), claimed to have not been symptomatic.

"I did not show any symptoms, and this morning, I have my normal activity, a little exercise, and take an eight-kilometer walk," he stated.

As the BNPB head, Monardo was occupied in inspecting the disaster mitigation efforts following the earthquake in West Sulawesi and flooding in South Kalimantan.

However, Monardo claimed to have applied the health protocols strictly and have always worn mask and washed his hands.

The BNPB head arrived from Mamuju, West Sulawesi, on late Friday (Jan 22). Monardo’s staff members accompanied him during the visit to West Sulawesi and South Kalimantan where they underwent COVID-19 tests.

One of Monardo's staff members also tested positive for the SARS CoV-2 infection.

"COVID-19 is so close to us. I have tried hard to remain disciplined and adhere to the health protocols, but I still got infected," he stated.Monardo has conducted self-isolation while continuing to monitor the handling of COVID-19 and the impact of natural disasters in some regions.

"Referring to this situation, I called on the public to continue to adhere (to the health protocols), wear mask, maintain physical distancing and avoid crowds, as well as wash hands with soap and running water," he affirmed.

An advisor to BNPB Egy Masadiah, who accompanied Monardo during his visit to the disaster-affected regions, tested negative for the virus despite having stayed close to him during the visit.

Masadiah remarked that Monardo had arrived in Mamuju on January 15, some 12 hours after a 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck West Sulawesi.

The BNPB head then headed to Banjarmasin in South Kalimantan on Sunday (Jan 17) and flew to Mamuju on early Tuesday (Jan 19) before returning to Jakarta//ANT