VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Covid-19 vaccine image                                    

Amid the protests against Omnibus Law - Job Creation Law in Indonesia during the pandemic, the emergence of new clusters is worried. The good news is that the phase 3 clinical trial of Covid-19 vaccine enters the final phase. In Indonesia, there is yet any report about vaccine volunteers experiencing illness because of the vaccine. Many then hoped the vaccine could suppress Covid-19 virus that had spread in almost every country in the world.

Meanwhile, amid the hope of successful vaccine development, Johnson and Johnson from USA on Monday, October 12, announced that some of their 60,000 volunteers caught illness, and they delayed the next process that had entered the final phase. As quoted from CNN, the delay does not mean stopping the vaccine test, but it will be material for another research for US doctors. The researchers are reviewing the vaccine tests and examining the vaccine sample. This happened in England in September. However in INdonesia, so far miraculously, there is yet any sign to stop or review the vaccine from China that is still under the 3rd phase test jointly done with Indonesian state-owned pharma company PT Bio Farma.

About Covid-19 vaccine procurement, Indonesia had ordered three types of vaccine for the people. Covid-19 Task Force spokesperson Wiku Aidsasmito said that the government's move by purchasing three different vaccines that haven't passed the 3rd phase of clinical test had been previously consulted with health experts. According to Wiku, until now there is yet any report that the three vaccine types cause any negative effect that harms the user. If the vaccine did not pass the clinical test, then Indonesian government had anticipated it by terminating the purchase as written in the purchasing contract.

Truly, Covid-19 vaccine procurement is a main thing for Indonesian people considering the health experts predicted that the pandemic can continue for until the next two years. Research is also developed after the emergence of virus mutation. Besides that, if the purchase is done after the test, the price will surely soar. 

Besides purchasing vaccines, Indonesian vaccine producers with health experts and researchers are trying to find alternative cures for Covid-19. Indonesian Ulema Council MUI and health experts also had left for China to observe the production and test the halal aspect of the vaccine that will be injected to Indonesian citizens, considering most of them are Muslim. Besides that, Indonesian government had prioritized early vaccination programs for medical apparatus and security personnel who stayed in the frontline against Covid-19.

International Disaster Risk Reduction Day                                                                                                                                                                                                                            UNDRR

October 13th, the world commemorates International Disaster Risk Reduction Day. In 2009, the United Nations General Assembly designated October 13 as the anniversary to encourage communities and governments to take part in building societies that are resilient to natural disasters. Indonesia is one of the countries, which lies in the Ring of Fire, which is an area that often experiences earthquakes and volcanic eruptions that surround the Pacific Ocean basin. Thus, Indonesia is often hit by natural disasters related to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, including hydro-meteorological disasters or natural disasters such as floods, landslides and wind storms.

Indonesia commemorates International Disaster Risk Reduction Day by setting October every year as Disaster Risk Reduction Month. The Indonesian people are reminded to be always aware of natural disasters. Experience shows that natural disasters may occur not only because of natural phenomena, but also because of the damaged ecosystem that’s continuously and extensively exploited, including global warming and climate change. The National Disaster Mitigation Agency -BNPB recorded 2,131 disasters from January to September 2020 throughout Indonesia. BNPB noted that 99% of the disasters that occur were hydro-meteorological disasters. In addition, there were forest and land fires. The disaster not only claimed casualties, injuries and property, but also displaced more than 4 million people.

Such large numbers should remind the residents that Indonesia has experienced and will always experience disasters at present and in the future. Even every year, the trend of the number always increases. How big or small the impact of a disaster depends on the resilience of the Indonesian people in dealing with the disasters. Resilience can be achieved if all related stakeholders co-work altogether without blaming each other. The central government, regional governments and all levels of society must work hand in hand in mitigating and managing the disaster risks. Because the natural phenomena and the disasters that may occur do not recognize boundaries. The commemoration of Disaster Risk Reduction Day should remind everyone of this need.

Indonesia Increases Trade Cooperation with the United States                                                                                                                                                                                      kemlu.go.id

Indonesia increases trade cooperation with the United States through the holding of the Indonesia-US Virtual Business Meeting carried out the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the United States Committee (09/10). The online business meeting was attended by 46 U.S. companies and 47 companies from Indonesia, which are doing business in 5 leading sectors, namely clothing, rubber, footwear, electronics and furniture. As quoted on the kemlu.go.id page (09/10), Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Mahendra Siregar, who was also present at the event, believed that the economic relations between Indonesia and the United States would strengthen. He perceived that Indonesia has completed the process of discussing the Generalized System of Preferences-GSP which is a country's trade policy that cuts import duties and hopes for a positive response from the government in the near future. In addition, Indonesia has also passed the Job Creation Act which is an amendment of 79 existing laws in Indonesia. The Job Creation Law is aimed at improving the national economic performance and enhancing the business climate through simplifying investment procedures, overcoming regulatory inconsistencies, and providing legal certainty.

Meanwhile, Indonesian Ambassador to the United States, Muhammad Lutfi explained that Indonesia and the United States have experineced unique trading condition amid the Covid-19 pandemic. As a consequence, Indonesia's trade to the United States grew by 7.7% in the first quarter of 2020. Positively, this shows that Indonesian products have a high potential to enter the U.S. market. Currently, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Trade and several technical ministries under the coordination of the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs are also conducting joint studies regarding the formation of the Indonesia-US Limited Trade Deal to further encourage trade between the two countries. The United States is one of Indonesia's main trading partners. The total value of bilateral trade between the two countries reached US$ 27.1 billion dollars in 2019, with Indonesia's export value to the U.S. amounting to US $ 17.8 billion dollars and an import value of US $ 9.3 billion dollars. Trade between Indonesia and the United States has also recorded a surplus over the last 5 years.

Indonesian Embassy in Namibia Introduces Virtual Trade Expo                                                                                                                                                                                 kemlu.go.id

Indonesian Embassy in Windhoek, Namibia recently has met the officials and businesspeople of Namibia, especially in Walvis Bay and Swakopmund, and introduced Trade Expo Indonesia Virtual Event (TEI-VE). In a written statement of Indonesian Embassy in Windhoek as reported by Antara news agency on Sunday (11/10), the introduction was a part of economic working visits of the Embassy to the stakeholders in Walvis Bay and Swakopmund.

Indonesian Embassy in Windhoek stated that the meeting discussed several issues such as the 35th Trade Expo Indonesia Virtual Event 2020 on which the team showed illustrations of exhibited products, registration mechanism, and other technicals. Indonesian Embassy Team consisted of Economy, Social, and Culture Function, Sulthon Sjahril, Staff of Economic Function Ceria Beslip, and Staff of Political Function, Dyah Ariastuti also showed website and video of TEI-VE and handed over forms and event brochures to local officials and stakeholders.

Besides, the visit was also used for coordination and preparation of programs in welcoming the 30th anniversary of Indonesia and Namibia diplomatic relations in 2021, as well as follow-up of Sister-Port MoU between Pelindo II and Namport.

The Embassy team also expressed the idea to create Indonesian Corner at Walvis Bay Regional Library next year as part of the anniversary program. According to Indonesian Embassy in Windhoek, the idea received positive responses and Walvis Bay CEO suggested the Indonesian Embassy to immediately submit an application for the program.

Meanwhile, the local officials and businesspeople, including Muronga Haingura (Walvis Bay CEO) and Kevin Adams from Walvis Bay Municipality, Namibian Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Walvis Bay, Walvis Bay Seaport Authority, and Indonesian furniture importers namely Kornblum & Co and Habitat Furniture expressed interest in joining TEI-VE 2020 and will help spreading the information to their members.