VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Sam Ratulangi International Airport - 

The number of international tourists arriving in North Sulawesi via Sam Ratulangi Airport in February 2022 stood at 647, or up 38.84 percent compared to 466 in January, an official informed.

"The increase in foreign tourist arrivals occurred due to the easing of restrictions for tourists to enter and leave North Sulawesi," head of the Statistics Indonesia (BPS) Office in North Sulawesi, Asim Saputra, said here on Friday.

International tourists arriving in North Sulawesi were still dominated by Chinese tourists, with their number pegged at 401, accounting for 61.98 percent of the total tourist arrivals in North Sulawesi, he informed.

They were followed by 79 foreign tourists from Russia, or 12.21 percent of the total arrivals; 32 tourists from the US (4.95 percent); and 28 tourists from France (4.33 percent), he added.

With the development, the North Sulawesi government is quite optimistic that international tourist visits to North Sulawesi will revive, he noted.

Especially because Sam Ratulangi Airport has implemented the visa-free facility for tourists from a number of countries, he added.

As of February 2022, the cumulative number of tourist arrivals in North Sulawesi stood at 1,113. The figure showed a decline compared to 1,460 tourist arrivals recorded in February 2021.

General manager of Sam Ratulangi Airport, Minggus Gandeguai, confirmed that the airport had been chosen as one of the airports for implementing the visa-free policy for international tourists.

Gandeguai said the regulation is stipulated in the latest circular issued by the Ministry of Law and Human Rights Number: IMI 0459.GR.01.01 of 2022 concerning immigration facilities in order to support sustainable tourism during the COVID-19 pandemic, which came into effect on April 6, 2022//ANT

Minister of Communication and Informatics Johnny G. Plate and Ambassador of Spain to Indonesia, H.E. Mr. Francisco De Asis Aguilera Aranda, at the Communication and Informatics Ministry's Office on Friday, April 8, 2022. (ANTARA/Arnidhya Nur/rst) - 

Communication and Informatics Minister Johnny G. Plate met with Ambassador of Spain to Indonesia, H.E. Francisco De Asis Aguilera Aranda, on Friday, to discuss support for development of Indonesia's information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure.

"We discussed the potential for cooperation between Indonesia and Spain, especially in information and information technology applications," Plate remarked on Friday.

Furthermore, the minister noted that the meeting was held in keeping with the sound long-lasting relations between both nations.

"Indonesia and Spain have shared good relations since long. G2G or government-to-government financing between Spain and Indonesia is also not a new thing," he remarked.

He also drew attention to several projects listed at the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) regarding ICT infrastructure for digital transformation that are planned to be financed by the Spanish government.

The Spanish government also plans to assist Indonesia in information and communication technology infrastructure development, including upstream and downstream ICT infrastructure.

"Spain is keen to finance and partake, especially in upstream and downstream digital infrastructure development," Plate noted.

Plate stated that his ministry is open to forging cooperation with an external party as long as the innovation is competitive, modern, appropriate, and suitable for Indonesia.

In the near future, Plate will submit a financing offer from the Spanish Government to finance ICT infrastructure projects in Indonesia.

On the other hand, Ambassador Aranda said his side was open to support the development of Indonesia's digital infrastructure.

"After meeting with Minister Plate, I have a better understanding regarding Indonesia's goals and what can we do to help in achieving those goals," he stated.

He affirmed that Spain has shared sound relations with Indonesia since long. Spanish companies and the government are willing to work with Indonesia on projects regarding digital infrastructure to proffer benefits to the Indonesian people in the future//ANT

Istiqlal Mosque one of historical building in Jakarta - 

Governor of Jakarta Anies Baswedan has designated four buildings as cultural reserves on account of their historical value for development of the capital city.

"The cultural reserves can be managed properly and maintained more controllably," Chief of the Jakarta Provincial Culture Office Iwan Henry Wardhana noted here on Friday.

The four cultural reserves are Vihara Sin Tek Bio Temple, former Tio Tek Hong shop, Kompak shop, and Eijkman Molecular Biological Institution Building.

Baswedan designated the four buildings as cultural reserves on March 15, 2022.

Vihara Sin Tek Bio, located in Pasar Baru, Central Jakarta, is designated as a cultural reserve based on Jakarta Governor's Decree No. 238 of 2022.

The temple, which was believed to have existed since 1698, is part of the history of the development of the Pasar Baru business area.

The temple, which was built in Chinese architecture, reflects the diverse life of the community in Pasar Baru area

Former Tio Tek Hong shop is designed as a cultural reserve based on Jakarta Governor's Decree No. 239 of 2022.

The building, standing tall since the 1900s, was formerly the first local recording company that played an important role, particularly for the Pasar Baru area.

The other historical building is Kompak shop in Pasar Baru. The building is designated as cultural reserve based on Jakarta Governor's Decree No. 240 of 2022.

Built in South Chinese architecture in the 19th century, the building was formerly the residence of fourth Batavia mayor, Majoor de Chinezeen.

The other is the Eijkman Molecular Biological Institution Building designed as a cultural reserve under Jakarta Governor's Decree No. 240 of 2022.

The building, built from 1911 to 1914 with the Nieuwe Kunst architecture, plays an important role in conducting natural research for tropical diseases//ANT

Spokesperson for the Ministry of Transportation Adita Irawati during an online press conference on Friday (April 8, 2022). (Adimas Raditya) - 

The Ministry of Transportation is planning to provide vaccination services at transportation hubs for people, who will join the 2022 Eid al-Fitr homecoming exodus.

"We want to prepare (vaccination) services for people that may not have met the requirement (for booster vaccination)," spokesperson for the Ministry of Transportation Adita Irawati stated during an online press conference accessed here on Friday.

Irawati affirmed that the ministry and relevant stakeholders would not conduct blocking or implement the turn-back policy for people not meeting the requirements to travel.

However, she noted that the Ministry of Transportation will only provide the vaccine doses in limited numbers.

"We will not check one by one. If there are people who need the vaccine, the service will be provided but in limited numbers," she remarked.

The spokesperson added that the Ministry of Transportation also focuses on vehicles for land transportation, especially four-wheeled and two-wheeled private vehicles, which constitute most of the travelers using modes of transportation.

On the same occasion, Director General of Land Transportation at the Ministry of Transportation Budi Setiyadi stated that the Ministry of Transportation, along with other stakeholders, would provide health services at several locations, including airports, train stations, bus terminals, ports, toll road rest areas, and weighbridges.

"The service is not only for smooth traffic (flow) but also health services, including booster (vaccinations)," he remarked.

Earlier, President Joko Widodo had stated that the number of people, who will join the 2022 Eid homecoming exodus, is projected to reach 85 million.

The president had allowed people to join the Eid al-Fitr exodus if they had completed the primary vaccination and received the booster dose against COVID-19.

He also noted that every exodus activity should be conducted in strict adherence to the COVID-19 health protocols//ANT