VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Research and Technology Minister and chief of the National Research and Innovation Agency, Bambang Brodjonegoro, and Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin have signed an MoU to set up a genomic surveillance team to study the SARS-CoV-2 virus as part of efforts to fight COVID-19. 

Research and Technology Minister, Bambang Brodjonegoro, and Minister of Health, Budi Gunadi Sadikin, have agreed to set up a genomic surveillance team to study the SARS-CoV-2 virus as part of efforts to fight COVID-19.

The team will comprise researchers from the Health Ministry and the Research and Technology Ministry and academics from various institutes of higher learning in Indonesia, Sadikin informed at a press conference following the signing of a memorandum of understanding on the formation of the team on Friday. The team will study the characteristics of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the mutation of the virus as part of efforts to prevent and handle the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia, Sadikin said.

"The enlightenment from Mr. Bambang makes me aware of it being counter intelligent. When the enemy (COVID-19) entered (Indonesia), we were not aware of it because we had no process and equipment. So, I am aware that we need to build a defense system," he remarked.It will take more time to study and understand the character of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, Bambang, who is also chief of the National Research and Innovation Agency, said.

The team will aim to not only understand the character of the COVID-19 virus, but also detect the mutation of the virus that that has been found in other countries, he added.

"We also want to study and know immediately the mutation of the virus which may speed up transmission and make the disease more serious. In addition, we will also study profoundly the way how to handle COVID-19 patients from the result of genomic surveillance," he informed.

He said the team will also provide important information on the virus as part of efforts to find vaccines and medicines for handling COVID-19 in Indonesi//ANT

The BEI index swelled 104.21 points to reach 6,257.84 on Friday (January 8, 2021). (ANTARA FOTO/Muhammad Adimaja/hp)

The Jakarta Composite Index (IHSG) ended higher on Friday, aided by several positive global and domestic catalysts.

The index of the Indonesian Stock Exchange (BEI) swelled 104.21 points, or 1.69 percent, to reach 6,257.84, while the index of the 45 most liquid stocks (LQ45) rose 21.99 points, or 2.3 percent, to touch 979.31.

"The market highly lauded the US Congress' decision to endorse President-elect Joe Biden's victory. The market also lauded the data of Indonesia's foreign exchange reserves (in December, 2020), which rose US$135.9 billion from US$133.6 billion a month earlier," Bina Artha Sekuritas analyst M Nafan Aji Gusta said here  on Friday.

Shortly after opening higher, the IHSG remained in the green until the close of trade. Stocks in nine sectors rose, led by the miscellaneous industry, which increased 4.56 percent, followed by the infrastructure sector and the industrial sector, which climbed by 3.08 percent and 0.98 percent, respectively.A total of 1,706,675 transactions were recorded during the day, with 23.24 billion shares, worth Rp22.32 trillion, changing hands. Meanwhile, 258 shares rose, 239 shares fell, and 137 shares remained unchanged.

In the Asian regional markets, the Nikkei Index jumped 648.9 points, or 2.36 percent, to reach 28,139.03; the Hang Seng Index rose 329.7 points, or 1.2 percent, to 27,878.22; while the Straits Times Index climbed 82.73 points, or 2.85 percent, to reach 2,989.75//ANT

Head of the council's fatwa and halal affairs, Asrorun Niam Sholeh, at an online press conference originating from Jakarta on Friday (January 8, 2021). (ANTARA/HO-Indonesian Ulema Council)

The Indonesian Ulema Council’s Fatwa Committee Assembly has said while it is yet to issue a complete fatwa for Sinovac’s COVID-19 vaccine, the antivirus from China has been found to comprise pure and halal materials.

"The complete fatwa will be delivered after the Food and Drugs Supervisory Agency (BPOM) delivers the safety aspect of the vaccine usage," said head of the council's fatwa and halal affairs, Asrorun Niam Sholeh, at an online press conference, here on Friday.

However, Sholeh confirmed that the council's review team has concluded that the materials in the Sinovac vaccine are pure and halal, based on Sharia law.He explained that the fatwa on the vaccine's halal status can only be released in complete form when two vital elements are fulfilled, that is, when it is found to be halal and safe (toyib).

Meanwhile, the fatwa committee assembly has agreed on the vaccine's halal status, leaving only the safety aspect that is yet to be released by the BPOM, he added.

"Whether it is safe to be used or not, the fatwa commission will keep an eye on that," he said, referring to the emergency-use authorization for the vaccine by the BPOM.

The council's deputy director, Marsudi Syuhud, said that determining the vaccine's safety aspect is within the BPOM's purview, while the council is in charge of determining its halal status//ANT

New Consular Counter in the New Year 2021 - KBRI New Delhi

Indonesian Embassy in New Delhi, India officially opened a new consular service counter at the Indonesian Embassy in New Delhi (04/01). The counter is made to be more comfortable for service users, with representative waiting rooms, both indoors and outdoors. The construction of this new counter is also very concerned about the security aspect, equipped with a two-layer gate, special guard posts, metal detectors, and lockers for storing goods. This counter is also ready to operate by applying the health protocols. This counter provides consular and immigration services, including document attestation services, which have recently increased in frequency along with the improvement of bilateral relations between Indonesia and India.

Indonesian Ambassador to India, Arto Suryodipuro emphasized that improving the physical quality of this consular service facility is only one aspect besides the non-physical aspect which is even more important, namely improving the service system and professionalism of officers and officials concerned in providing services.

These two aspects, according to Ambassador Arto Suryodipuro, must be continuously improved and they provide excellent quality public services. This effort will ultimately support the enhancement of Indonesia's positive image in the eyes of the local community and also gives pride, especially for the Indonesian people in India.