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Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi (right) during his working visit to review transportation infrastructure and ensure transportation connectivity during the Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia or MotoGP series in Mandalika on Friday, March 18, 2022. (ANTARA/HO-Transportation Ministry/rst) - 

Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi affirmed that the number of passengers headed to watch the Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia or MotoGP series in Mandalika is estimated to peak from Friday to March 20.

Sumadi made the statement during his working visit to Mandalika to check the transportation facilities and infrastructure as well as to ensure transportation connectivity to and from Mandalika.

"President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has instructed us to seriously prepare this MotoGP series in Mandalika. We ensure that the movement to and from Lombok and Mandalika as well as the movement of traffic around the circuit area will run smoothly," Sadikin noted on Friday.

During his visit, he reviewed several facilities, including at the Lombok International Airport, the Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit area, Gili Mas Harbor, and the KM Kelud Ship that is serving as a floating accommodation for MotoGP spectators.

Sumadi also held a coordination meeting with the Mandalika MotoGP Field Commander Hadi Tjahjanto and reviewed the command center at the circuit area.

The minister estimates around 100 flights at the peak of the passenger surge.

"In addition, Lombok Airport, Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Juanda Airport, Ngurah Rai Airport, and Hasanuddin Airport will prepare to anticipate the surge in passengers," he stated.

Sumadi also remarked that state-run ferry operator, PT Pelni, had readied alternative accommodation for MotoGP spectators, who were unable to get a hotel to stay in Mandalika.

The place is provided free of charge for those who have tickets to watch MotoGP. The KM Kelud ship has a total capacity of 1,500 rooms and is ready to be used by MotoGP spectators on March 17-21, 2022.

Based on information from PT Pelni, up until this afternoon, 353 spectators had placed orders to stay at KM Kelud.

To stay at KM Kelud, MotoGP spectators are required to show their ticket to the 2022 MotoGP Series in Mandalika, show a two-dose vaccine certificate, have the PeduliLindungi application installed on their phone, bring their own toiletries and personal towels, and make a reservation prior to their arrival since the accommodation does not accept walk-in order.

The government has also readied a shuttle bus service on the routes: Gili Mas Port - Mandalika Harbor at 6:00-12:00 local time and Mandalika - Gili Mas Port at 12:00-6:00 local time on March 17-21, 2022.

Over 65 thousand people are estimated to head to Mandalika to watch the MotoGP series, whose race will take place on March 20, 2022.

Sadikin is optimistic that the MotoGP event in Mandalika would have a significant impact on the recovery of national tourism and encourage economic growth both regionally and nationally//ANT

Chief of the Indonesian Women's Football Association (ASBWI), Nadalsyah, hands a slice of cone-shaped rice dish (tumpeng) to chief of the All Indonesia Football Association ( PSSI), Mochamad Iriawan. (HO/Dok ASBWI) - 

Indonesia will host the 2023 ASEAN Football Federation Under 18 (AFF U-18) Women's Championship, chief of the Indonesian Women's Football Association (ASBWI), Nadalsyah, has said.

ASBWI is currently preparing the best squad to compete in the event, he said in a written statement released here on Friday.

"Since we will host the AFF U-18 Championship next year, we will hold an U-16 tournament this year. That way, we will form a good squad in one year's time," he said.

Nadalsyah, who is also the head of North Barito district, refused to divulge the exact date of the 2023 AFF U-18 tourney. To be sure, the organizing committee will continue to make preparations for the event, he said. 

ASWBI will also organize other women's football tournaments, he added.

"As the chief of PSSI (All Indonesia Football Association) has stated, nothing is instant in football. In addition to Pertiwi Cup, we will also organize ASBWI Cup and leagues starting from U-10, U-12, and U-17," he informed.

The 2021–2022 Pertiwi Cup, which will feature eight matches, will kick off on Friday.

A total of 19 teams that have passed the qualification stage at a PSSI provincial level are taking part in the tournament. The teams have been divided into four groups//ANT

Dean of the Faculty of Medicine of University of Indonesia, Professor Ari Fahrial Syam. (ANTARA/HO-FKUI) - 

Indonesian hospitals are equipped with the same advanced medical equipment as used in hospitals overseas, according to Dean of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Indonesia (UI) Professor Ari Fahrial Syam.

The sophisticated medical equipment that Indonesian hospitals have would place Indonesian medical technology on par with neighboring countries, such as Malaysia and Singapore, he said.

"Some people may say that medical equipment in Singapore is better (than in Indonesia), but I do not believe it. We obtained the technology at the same time as Singapore and Malaysia; hence, we cannot say that Indonesia's medical equipment is outdated," Syam highlighted during a press conference at the University of Indonesia Hospital (RSUI) here on Friday.

He said that three aspects must be considered while obtaining new medical equipment and technology for Indonesian hospitals.

"Regarding new medical technology, the first aspect we must consider is its safety, the second aspect is simple application, and the third aspect is our involvement in the (technology) research," he added.

According to Syam, several medical experts from Indonesia have been involved in medical technology research.

The University of Indonesia Hospital has earlier received an FDR Nanomachine, a new mobile digital X-ray machine equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) technology that was developed through research on medical technology, he said.

The utilization of artificial intelligence in medical equipment can improve the diagnosis of health issues that can be corroborated by the medical records of the patient, he added.

"The AI technology will enhance doctors' effort in determining the diagnosis. When the patient is scanned with the machine, it can promptly screen the existing data to determine the possible diagnosis. As an endoscopist, I often need to examine medical books to corroborate my diagnosis, and this technology has made the work easier," Syam explained//ANT

Head of the National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) Commissioner-General Boy Rafli Amar. ANTARA/HO (Antara/Ayu Khania Pranisitha/2022) - 

Head of the National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) Commissioner General Boy Rafli Amar has ensured that the Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia would run smoothly and safely.

The MotoGP event is scheduled on March 18-20 at the Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit, Central Lombok District, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Province.

"The comfort and conducive ambience at the Pertamina Mandalika Circuit area is essential, considering that the world is currently turning its attention to Mandalika," Amar noted while reviewing the location of the MotoGP race as quoted from a written statement here on Friday.

Amar highlighted his agency's commitment to collaborating with all parties to make the event a success without any disturbance to it.

"For that reason, let us jointly protect the good name of Mandalika by securing the 2022 Mandalika MotoGP event," the BNPT head emphasized.

Amar pressed for sustained synergy among all implementing components on the field before, during, and after the event.

While securing the event, the joint personnel will also come in direct contact with people, both Indonesian citizens and foreigners. Hence, collaboration must always be maintained on the field for the smooth running of the international event, he explained.

The Commissioner General noted that the local community was also invited to maintain convenience around the 2022 MotoGP area, so that racers and spectators attending the event could have a pleasant experience in NTB.

"We must respect each other and be able to work together and maintain security and order," he stressed.

Earlier, West Nusa Tenggara Police Chief Inspector General Djoko Poerwanto had noted that some 3,427 joint personnel were ready to secure the Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia comprising personnel from the Indonesian Military (TNI), National Police (Polri), and related institutions, such as the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), Transportation Office, the Public Order Agency (Satpol PP), Health Office, and security authorities at the airport and port//ANT