VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Government takes precautionary measures against new coronavirus strain - Doni Monardo                                                                                              VOI-NK

Chief of the COVID-19 Handling Task Force, Military Lieutenant General Doni Monardo, affirmed that the government is taking requisite precautionary measures against the emergence of the new coronavirus strain firstly discovered in the Great Britain.

The new strain, considered to be 70 percent more infectious, has already been discovered in Australia and Singapore.

During a Talk Show themed "Outlook 2021: Indonesia's Post-Pandemic Image" held in Jakarta, Thursday, (December 24), Monardo noted that Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan had held a ministerial-level meeting in the week prior, involving epidemiology and health experts, to gain insights into the matter.

Following President Joko Widodo's directives to not impose consecutive long holidays, the Christmas and New Year holidays were set apart in order to ensure there are no consecutive days off in an attempt to avert increased transmission of COVID-19.

The Task Force also seeks to limit transmission through the circular letter pertaining to the travel of foreign and Indonesian citizens from certain countries, where the SARS-CoV-2 strain was discovered.

"The government imposes a ban on citizens coming in from Britain, in hopes that it can protect our citizens in the country. Usually, foreigners, who arrive in Indonesia, must furnish negative results of their swab tests, followed by another swab test once they arrive in the country and have to wait for the results to come out under mandatory self-quarantine in a place regulated by the government for five days. Afterwards, another PCR swab is repeated," he expounded.

Monardo further noted that such measures are expected to be more effective in protecting the community, considering that since last March, the COVID-19 Handling Task Force team along with the Ministry of Health, military and police forces, immigration forces, PT Angkasa Pura, and PT Pelindo had also noted nearly three thousand COVID-19 positive numbers from those coming into Indonesia.

"There were tens of thousands of people, who came in and turned out to be nearly three thousand, maybe 2,800 people were infected with COVID-19. If our officers at the airport and the entrance were not optimal (in conducting their duties), there would certainly be more cases. Hence, on this occasion, I, as the head of the Task Force, would like to express my gratitude to all elements on the field, including the Port Health Office, elements of the military and police forces and volunteers, of course, to prevent the spread COVID-19 in the public," he stated.
Despite several countries having boasted negative results for COVID-19 tests conducted on their public, he said at least 100 people had been screened for the SARS-CoV-2 infection.

"Although the swab testing result was negative, it turned out to be positive again," he pointed out.

Hence, he reminded the public to not become lax and continue to adhere to health protocols, as a social capital to break the chain of the spread of COVID-19, given that uncertainty still looms large as to when the pandemic will end//ANT

Raja Ali Haji Museum - Indonesia Wonder                                                                                      

Raja Ali Haji Museum was opened on December 18 2020, in coincide with the commemoration of the 191st Anniversary of Batam City. The opening was marked by the opening of a curtain sketch of the face of King Isa bin King Ali or Nong Isa by Batam Mayor Muhammad Rudi. Nong Isa was the recipient of mandate of Sultan Abdul Rahman Muazzam Syah from the Lingga Sultanate, to rule the Nongsa area and its surroundings, on December 18, 1829. Nong Isa's government became a milestone in establishing Batam City. 

Batam Raja Ali Haji Museum is located around the town square, Engku Putri Batam.  This museum contains various historical objects and photos of the civilization of the city since the era of the Riau Lingga Kingdom. There are also various historical objects during the Dutch colonial period, the entry of Temanggung Abdul Jamal, Japanese era, Indonesian Independence, the Riau Islands Regency Government, the early development of the Batam Authority, the leadership of BJ Habibie, the Administrative City until the history of Astaka, Malay treasure, and the present Batam infrastructure.

Visiting this Museum, you can also see various collections of Malay cultural objects, as well as learning Malay culture. There is Bangkeng, a storage container for Malay wedding clothes which is at hundreds of years old. There is also Pahar which is usually used to serve dishes. It has a unique shape, complete with legs. Then there is the Semberit, which is a small legged dish. The museum also has a complete collection of Malay-style tableware. There are collections of Sanggan, Talam, and Sangku.Sangku is a hand washing container. Another collection is Tepak Sirih with Kacip. The Kacip is used to split betel nuts. Tepak Sirih is more complete with Cembul, a container for betel nut, Gambier, Lime betel, and Tobacco.There is also Keto a container to dispose leftovers after eating betel.  There is also Kaki Dian, a container to put candles from the Riau-Lingga era.Then, another collection is the Embat-Embat which is a container for fragrant water. There is also the Kupi a container to keep sewing tools. If you are interested to see these various Malay collections, I suggest you to visit Batam Raja Ali Haji Museum.

Ten Community figures and groups receive Kalpataru 2020 - My Indonesia                                                                                                                                   KLHK

10 community leaders and groups received the Kalpataru 2020 award from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry because they were considered successful in preserving the environment through their own initiatives. Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya Bakar presented the award in Jakarta, on Monday (Dec 21). On that occasion the Minister expressed her gratitude for having environmental fighters in Indonesia who served and sacrificed to protect and preserve the environment and forestry.

Ten Kalpataru awards were divided into the categories of Pioneer, Service, Rescuer, Builder, and Special Award. For the Pioneer category, the award was won by Zeth Wonggor from Manokwari Regency, West Papua and Sadikin from Bengkalis Regency, Riau. For Service Category, the award was received by Wasito from Kendal Regency, Central Java Province and Saraba Makassar City, South Sulawesi Province. Meanwhile, for the category of Rescuers received by the Customary Law Community (MHA) Punan Adiu, Malinau Regency, North Kalimantan Province and the Hatabosi Community (Haunatan, Tanjung Rompa, Bonan Dolok and Siranap) from South Tapanuli Regency, North Sumatra Province, and Bening Saguling Foundation from West Bandung Regency, West Java Province. For builder category is given to Ida Ayu Rusmarini from Gianyar Regency, Bali Province, Zofrawandi from Solok Regency, West Sumatra Province, and RB Sutarno from Jakarta. While the special Awards is awarded to the Cendrawasih Conservation Group "Botenang" Sawendui, Yapen Islands Regency, Papua Province and Yal Yudian Sijunjung Regency, West Sumatra Province.

Vice Chairman of the House Commission IV, Dedi Mulyadi, said that various wisdoms that exist throughout the archipelago, that born in cultural cosmology, should have been made in the Regional Regulations and Laws.

Meanwhile, member of the Kalpataru Award Advisory Council, Imam Prasodjo, said that the recipients of the Kalpataru award are extraordinary figures, because they are able to release their comfort zone to find solutions to preserve the environment.

On this occasion, Minister Siti Nurbaya also gave the Green Leadership Nirwasita Tantra award to the Regional Heads and Provincial Representatives from West Sumatra, Central Java and West Java Provinces, who have played an active role in environmental development.

The joy of the Indonesian Community Christmas event in Palmerston North - Diplomatic Corner                                                                       KBRI New Zealand

There is something unique about the Christmas celebration of the Indonesian Embassy in Wellington, New Zealand this year. Open House of the Christmas celebration, which is usually held at the Indonesian Embassy in Wellington or Ambassador’s residence, was held in Palmerston North City, about 180 km from Wellington, Saturday (19/12).

The event was very lively and attended by more than 400 Indonesian and diaspora citizens not only from Palmerston North, but also from surrounding cities such as Wellington, Whanganui, Paraparaumu, Hasting, Napier and even from Auckland. In addition, a member of the Palmerston North regional parliament from the newly elected Labor Party, Tangi Utikere was present.This year, the Indonesian Embassy in Wellington came to get closer and stay in touch with the Indonesian people in various cities in New Zealand.The selection of the city of Palmerston North was based on concentration considerations the largest Indonesian community besides Wellington and Auckland, especially students from Papua and the position of the city makes it easier for Indonesians from other cities to come to visit.Besides, the Covid-19 pandemic situation in New Zealand enabled the open house event to be implemented.

In his speech, Indonesian Ambassador to New Zealand, Samoa and Tonga, Tantowi Yahya stated that besides being visited, the government also comes to visit its citizens and Indonesaian Diasporas and friends of Indonesia. Therefore, similar implementation will also be carried out in other cities such as Auckland. This event is expected to strengthen brotherhood and unity among Indonesian citizens.

In the bright day and cool weather, the Indonesian diaspora and people who were present really enjoyed the festivity of the Christmas event which was held from morning to evening. Padang food, Malang Meatballs, Gejrot tofu and various snacks from the market, cold drinks and coffee were available to accompany residents dancing Poco Poco, Maumere to Dangdutan. The community welcomed cheerfully and happily the open house event which was lively, intimate and memorable.