VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan has officially slammed the brakes on the relaxations that had been applied to large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) and announced their complete re-imposition to contain coronavirus spread.

They had relaxed the restrictions as part of the shift towards the transitional PSBB.

"Considering the emergency in Jakarta, there are no other choices but to put the emergency brakes. This means we have to implement the PSBB as it was at the beginning of the pandemic," he said at a press statement at the Jakarta City Hall on Wednesday evening.

His decision of reimposing the PSSB in the capital city was prompted by three indicators that had raised the concern of the Jakarta Government, including the mortality rate, availability of isolation beds and ICU facilities for COVID-19, and the rate of positive cases.

"In the past two weeks, mortality rates have spiked back up. In terms of percentage, they may still be considerably low, but in terms of the numbers, they have gone back up. The availability of beds is at maximum capacity and they may be fully filled by the end of the month, if there are no restrictions," he explained.

The re-enforcement of large-scale social restrictions will be effective from Sep. 14, 2020, although Anies is yet to confirm when it will be lifted.

It has been reported earlier that the positivity rate of COVID-19 cases in Jakarta has reached 13.2 percent, or above the safe number of under 5 percent prescribed by the World Health Organization.

Based on Jakarta's government data, active cases in Jakarta, including patients receiving treatment or undergoing isolation, have reached 11,245 as of Tuesday. Meanwhile, the total number of confirmed cases in Jakarta now stands at 49,837, with 37,245 recoveries and 1,347 deaths.

The data released by the Jakarta Health Office on Wednesday also reveals that bed availability for daily COVID-19 isolation at 67 referral hospitals is at 77 percent of the total capacity of 4,456 beds.

The figures also show that there are 1,024 daily isolation beds for COVID-19 handling that are vacant.

Meanwhile, the occupancy rate at intensive care units (ICUs) has reached 83 percent of the capacity of 482 beds, leaving only 83 ICU beds remaining in 67 referral hospitals. (Antaranews)

One of the Indonesian press figures, as well as the founder of Kompas, Jakob Oetama passed away on Wednesday at the age of 88 years.

"Pak Jakob Oetama has passed away the founder of Kompas Gramedia," a statement from Kompas TV said.

Jakob Oetama died at Mitra Keluarga Kelapa Gading Hospital, Jakarta.

Jakob Oetama is planned to be buried at the Kompas Gramedia Building, Jakarta.

"You have been in a coma or critical condition since Sunday afternoon. It seems that God prefers to call him so that finally at 13.05, you passed away," Director of Communications of Kompas Gramedia Rusdi Amral said in a broadcast on Kompas TV, on Wednesday. (RRI)

Celebrating RRI's 75th Anniversary, RRI held a wayang puppet show by the Tombo Kangen group, which was directed by traditional artist Kirun.

Taking the play "Sekartaji Bakul Jamu", they will act to bring legendary stories.

According to the assistant director, Sentot, this story tells the story of a prameswari who was knocked out by the king who had a new concubine.

"Agus Marsudi, who is none other than the husband of Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, will also take part in the Ketoprak performance to welcome the 75th anniversary of Radio Republik Indonesia," Sentot added on Wednesday.

It is said that the king's new concubine had actually been given charms by his teacher to lure King Kameswara so that his mind was far from the Empress, Sekartaji.

All jewelry was given to the king's new concubine by Sekartaji.

"Except for one that was not given. Namely Tusuk Konde," said Sentot.

Why wasn't Tusuk Konde given to Sekartaji? The answer can be watched tonight by listeners throughout Indonesia through RRI Program 4 on Wednesday, 8-10 PM at the Abdurahman Saleh Auditorium, RRI, or via RRI Net and RRI YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/ZJS3TcZNhiA.

The Ketoprak Tombo Kangen performance is will be held with strict health protocols.

The Ketoprak performance with Kirun is one of the special programs leading to the peak of the commemoration on Sep. 11.

On Sep. 7, RRI held Jazz Nite which is a part of the lineup of the event for the anniversary. It presented a number of performers such as Madame & Toean, Citra Scholastika, and Payung Teduh.

On Sep. 11, there will be a Tri Prasetya RRI Torch Ignition will be held at 8 AM - 10.30 AM. This event featured Rossa, Yudika, Ike Nurjanah, Didik Ninik Towok, Andi Rizka Fadilah Malaranggeng, and accompanying musicians Aminoto Kosin and the RRI Choir.

The Indonesian government continues to strive to free the people from illiteracy, Minister of Education and Culture Nadiem Makarim said at the 55th International Literacy Day in Jakarta, on Tuesday.

He said that his party has implemented various strategies to solve illiteracy in Indonesia, including updating illiteracy data, expanding literacy education programs, establishing cooperations to eliminate illiteracy, and accelerating programs in regions with the highest illiterate population.

Nadiem Makarim said that the Ministry keeps working to fight for inclusive education, including during the Covid-19 pandemic. He said there are lessons that could be taken from this pandemic-when the pandemic is over, people will have the hope and aspirations to eradicate illiteracy.

Commemorating the 55th International Literacy Day in Indonesia took on the theme "Learning Literacy in the Covid-19 Pandemic, Momentum for Paradigm Change".