VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Indonesian  government will simplify the national logistical system in order  to be more efficient.  It is done by forming a national logistical ecosystem  (National Logistical Ecosystem / NLE) system.  Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto, after attending the Limited Cabinet Meeting via Video Conference on Wednesday stated that the government will form an NLE  four months ahead. Minister  Airlangga  further said that  President Jokowi  asked that NLE  can be made not only based on the application and ecosystem of the system itself, which integrates among ministries and institutions, but it is also to simplify the process and eliminate repetitive processes and reduce logistics costs.  He also explained that  it also needs the integration of related ministries or institutions, so that there is a harmonization of the system to reduce obstacles in services.

"Roadmap of the NLE itself will be done for  the next 4 months and  the President has said that   there will be assignments for  the  Customs ( Beacukai ) to carry NLE  and  have presidential instruction ( inpres). Of course in  the Inpres there will be a director from the relevant ministries then there will be a daily executive  handled  by  Minister of Finance and Customs.  Besides  the President also gave direction for the implementation of this National Logistics, the major thing is in the field implementation and   the President  also gave direction to involve the Corruption Eradication Commission ( KPK ) for supervision, so that this system can run effectively and efficiently" minister said. 

Meanwhile,  Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati explained that in term of improving the logistics system, the government will build two platforms, namely at the system development level and at the implementation level.  The government will make a national logistical ecosystem (National Logistical Ecosystem / NLE) which will also integrate logistics movement in Indonesia at the level of system development. Ndy / AF

Indonesian ambassador to Cuba, Alfred T. Palembangan stated that until now  there are no Indonesian citizens who have been exposed to the Corona or Covid-19.   In an interview by telephone to Voice of Indonesia in Jakarta on Wednesday (18/3) Alfred said there are 4 people exposed to the  Covid-19 in Cuba that consists of 3 tourists from Italy and 1 Cuban citizen who just came from Italy.  He also stated that the 4 people are now being isolated at hospitals in Cuba.

"Until now, from the information that  the embassy has obtained  through whatsapp groups made and the information  announced by several Honorary Consuls in the countries that the embassy has such as in the Bahamas, in Haiti and in Jamaica stated  there are no Indonesian citizens who are exposed to the Corona Virus" Ambassador said. 

Moreover,  Ambassador  Alfred T. Palembangan further  explained  currently there are about 56  Indonesian citizens  who live in Cuba that  consists of a big family of the Indonesian Embassy, 7 Indonesian university  students and Indonesians who live and marry with Cubans. To provide information about the Corona virus, the Indonesian Embassy in Havana made a whatsapp group for Indonesians living in Cuba, the Bahamas, Haiti and Jamaica.  Through the whatsapp group, the Indonesian Embassy can easily monitor the conditions of Indonesians in those countries and appeal them to obey the local regulations. AHM/ AF

Australia's home affairs minister Peter Dutton said he tested positive for coronavirus on Friday (Mar 13).

"This morning I woke up with a temperature and sore throat. I immediately contacted the Queensland Department of Health and was subsequently tested for COVID-19. I was advised by Queensland Health this afternoon that the test had returned positive," he said in a statement issued by his office. 

"It is the policy of Queensland Health that anyone who tests positive is to be admitted into hospital and I have complied with their advice ... I feel fine and will provide an update in due course."

Dutton was in the United States last week for a meeting with members of the FiveEyes intelligence alliance - Australia, the United States, Britain, Canada and New Zealand - that included Barr. He also met with US President Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka on Mar 6, according to a photo posted by the Australian embassy in Washington, which shows the pair standing close together. It is not yet known when Dutton contracted the virus. Australia has recorded 156 infections and three deaths from the flu-like disease but authorities expect this to increase rapidly in the coming weeks with the arrival of the southern hemisphere winter//CNA

All elite football matches in England, including the Premier League, were suspended until Apr 4 on Friday (Mar 13) due to the coronavirus pandemic, English football's governing bodies said in a joint statement. The "unanimous" decision was made in a meeting on Friday, after Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta and Chelsea player Callum Hudson-Odoi were diagnosed with the coronavirus. 

"In this unprecedented situation, we are working closely with our clubs, government, the FA and EFL and can reassure everyone the health and welfare of players, staff and supporters are our priority," said Premier League chief executive Richard Masters. 

"Above all, we wish Mikel Arteta and Callum Hudson-Odoi speedy recoveries, and everyone else affected by COVID-19." 

In a statement posted on its website, the Premier League added: "Despite the challenges, it is the Premier League’s aim is to reschedule the displaced fixtures, including those played by Academy sides, when it is safe to do so.

"In this fast-moving environment, further updates will be provided when appropriate."//CNA