VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Indonesian government needs comprehensive data from all parties, to relax large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) imposed, in several parts of the country to stem the spread of COVID-19, a government spokesperson said. The government spokesperson for COVID-19 handling, Achmad Yurianto, said at a press conference on Wednesday in Jakarta, that the government is in the process of formulating it (relaxation). The government is still sticking to the health protocol and PSBB, he said as quoted by Antara. In addition, it is continuing to conduct mass and massive tests, trace people believed to have come in close contact with COVID-19 patients, and isolate and treat COVID-19 patients, he added. He said the government is still conducting various studies and mulling several scenarios that will surely be developed and implemented. The studies are being conducted since problems in each districts or provinces differ from one another and all relevant sides need to study the data, he noted. He appealed to the public not to misconstrue the policy because if the relaxation of PSBB is not measurable, new cases of COVID-19 transmission would be found//Ant

Indonesian Vice President Ma'ruf Amin looks ahead to bilateral cooperation between Indonesia and Singapore could fueling regional and global economic stability, amid uncertainty owing to the COVID-19 pandemic that threatens economic growth worldwide. Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat voiced this aspiration, during an official phone call between both leaders on Thursday. Vice President Amin said he is optimistic that both countries would be able to figure out the best form of cooperation, to support the creation of regional and global economic stability. During the phone call, Vice President also conveyed his regards to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and President Halimah Jacob. As quoted by Antara, VP Amin Maruf send his regards to President Halimah Jacob and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, as well as all Singaporeans, who will celebrate Eid al-Fitr//Ant

Indonesia’s Foreign Ministry recorded 1,165 members of the Jamaah Tabligh congregation from Indonesia spread across 13 countries, of which 357 have returned home, while 808 others remain stranded amid the global new coronavirus disease pandemic. The Indonesian representative offices facilitated the return of those Jamaah Islamiyah members, the Indonesian Foreign Ministry's Director for the Protection of Citizens and Legal Entities Overseas, Judha Nugraha, stated as quoted by Antara. Some of the returnees were flown back home from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Jordan, Moroco, Kuwait, and Thailand, while those who have yet to return to Indonesia remain quarantined in accordance with the COVID-19 preventive measures, or tried at court, he informed journalists here on Wednesday.

The Jamaah Tabligh members are viewed as one of the clusters receiving protection for Indonesian citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic. As of May 19, the Indonesian government has facilitated the return of 99,543 Indonesian citizens from abroad, most of whom are Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia and Indonesian sailors working for foreign cruise ships//Ant

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi).(ANTARA)

Indonesia should be able to produce its own COVID-19 vaccine based on the domestic viral genome, according to President Joko Widodo (Jokowi).

Jokowi expressed hope while delivering his remarks during an official launch of research, technology, and innovation products in response to the COVID-19 pandemic held via videoconference here on Wednesday.

"We must be able to produce our own vaccines. The Eijkman Institute has obtained seven genome sequences. A complete viral genome that is beneficial for vaccine development," the president expounded.

The head of state was pleased to see that the researchers had also continued to work to find effective drugs and therapies for treating COVID-19.

"The work does not stop at the laboratory and not merely prototypes. However, it must continue and be mass-produced to meet domestic demand and for exports," he remarked.

To this end, Jokowi called to bolster cooperation and collaboration among stakeholders, including research and development institutions, universities, business entities, industries, and the society, in general.

The president called on the country's industries to have the pluck to invest while also emphasizing that the public should opt for domestic products.

"We must be proud of products made in Indonesia. We must continue to improve conducive ecosystems -- ecosystems for growth, development of innovation, and industrialization. (We must) also be proud of domestic products," he remarked.

In the meantime, Indonesia’s count of coronavirus cases burgeoned to 18,496, as of Tuesday, with 4,467 people recovering from the virus and 1,221 individuals succumbing to the disease, according to Achmad Yurianto, the government's spokesperson for COVID-19 response.

"Let us take a broad look. (We can see) that transmission is still occurring," Yurianto remarked during a press conference held by the Task Force for the Acceleration of COVID-19 Response on Tuesday at Graha BNPB here.

Since Monday noon, Indonesia has recorded 486 new confirmed cases, thereby bringing the total to 18,496 cases. Coronavirus infections have been reported across 390 districts and cities in 34 provinces in the country. (ANTARA)