VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Chairman of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), Laksamana Tri Handoko during a Forum Group Discussion on National Research Priority of Health and Drugs 2020-2024 in West Java, Thursday (12/3/2020). ANTARA

The Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) projects shifts and new-fangled business models in the new normal, so as to facilitate people in conducting their businesses whilst settling to coexist with the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

"We also ponder over how we can support changes and business models," Laksana Tri Handoko, the institute’s chairman, stated during a webinar titled “Indonesia's Technology and Innovation in the face of COVID-19” in Jakarta, Tuesday.

Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) had become one of the sectors bearing the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to sustain in such a challenging scenario, the MSME business models should capitalize on the apt technologies, either existing ones or those that can be developed further.

The pertinent technology can take shape in the form of packaging of local food products and diversification of existing products.

During the enactment of Large-Scale Social Restrictions (PSBB), customers are unable to eat at restaurants or cafes. MSME business makers that earlier sold their food only at cafes and restaurants can migrate to package them to be sold in to-go packaging, such as cans, for being shipped to areas across Indonesia.

Handoko stated that the spread of COVID-19 had resulted in the most popular restaurants shutting down, and even if they are open, they are receiving significantly fewer customers.

Packaging food and diversifying products can unveil market opportunities and can potentially boost revenue for MSME businesses.

For instance, the meat-based dish empal gentong popular in Cirebon, West Java, can be packaged in cans and sold in the nationwide market.

In terms of product diversification, diners that initially only sold riced corn can start producing corn- or cassava-based noodles. The products can then be packaged properly and sent to different areas in the country and sold within networks. (ANTARA)

Archive photo: Minister of Religious Affairs, Fachrul Razi (middle), Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs, Zainut Tauhid (left), and director general of Islamic Community Guidance, Kamaruddin Amir (right). (ANTARA FOTO/HO-Ministry of Religious Affairs-ROMADANYL)

Minister of Religious Affairs, Fachrul Razi, has asked people to heed the government's appeal to not return to their hometowns and to spend Eid al-Fitr at home to minimize the risk of COVID-19 spread.

"Do not go to your hometowns, carry out your Eid prayers at home, and celebrate at home. Maintain communication via social media and keep (following) health protocols," he requested citizens on Tuesday in Jakarta, after attending a virtual meeting on the preparations for this year's Eid al-Fitr.

The ministry had issued an appeal on May 12, 2020, with regard to the celebration of Eid al-Fitr for the year 1441 of the Islamic calendar.


The minister said he believes that, at the moment, it would not be possible to relax restrictions on social and religious activities as it is feared that could lead to a surge in coronavirus cases.

Therefore, he appealed to citizens to comply with government regulations on preventing COVID-19 spread by refraining from organizing religious activities involving large congregations, including the Eid prayers.

"We should obey Law number 6 of 2018 regarding local quarantine, restrictions on religious activities, (prayers) to be carried out at home," he urged.

"The threat of COVID-19 must not interfere with the celebration of the day of victory. Do not forget to share your care with those who are less fortunate,” he added. (ANTARA)

Screen capture photo of Denni P. Purbasari, the executive director of Pre-Employment Card program management, during a virtual discussion held in Jakarta, Tuesday, May 19, 2020. (ANTARA)

Some 680 thousand are currently listed for the Pre-Employment Card Program, a cumulative figure of three terms since mid-April, with the forth term opening shortly, Denni P. Purbasari, program's management’s executive director, stated in Jakarta, Tuesday.

"All the 680 thousand participants had received program funding of Rp3,550,000 (some US$240) through each virtual bank account. Of this figure, over 300 thousand had also received the monthly incentive of Rp600,000 after the training," Purbasari highlighted during a virtual discussion held in Jakarta on Tuesday.

The incentive will only be given to participants on completion of the training session, comprising some skill-based virtual trainings that they choose from over a thousand trainings in various topics available.

As per Tuesday, some 10.4 million people have enrolled for this program. However, people, who could pass to participate, are automatically selected by machine alignment with the program's priority. Hence, those not listed may wait until the next term opens.

"Fellow friends, who could not make it (to join the program) now, please be patient, as we continue to open next batches through November," Purbasari stressed.

Purbasari highlighted the need to suspend the forth term for a while owing to system issues as well as to spare some time for employees hit hard by the outbreak, as they should be prioritized in line with the government's suggestion.

However, Purbasari has vowed that the fourth term will open after this Ramadan season. (ANTARA)

Jakarta (VOI News) - Pakistan Embassy in Jakarta facilitated the repatriation of stranded Pakistanis due to flight cancellations amid the Covid-19 Pandemic outbreak.

A special Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight carrying 237 stranded Pakistanis, left Jakarta for Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday morning (19/05). Pakistan Ambassador to Indonesia, Abdul Salik Khan and a team of officers and staff from the Embassy were at the airport to bid farewell to the Pakistan nationals, who appreciated the efforts of the Mission in facilitating their stay as well as arranging the special flight enabling them to celebrate Eid ul Fitr with their loved ones. Press Release from the Pakistan Embassy received by Voice of Indonesia in Jakarta, Tuesday, said, with the concerted efforts of the Embassy, both Indonesian and Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and seamless coordination with the PIA authorities, almost all stranded Pakistanis have been able to return to Pakistan safe and sound.  Before the Pakistani nationals, the ambassador appreciated their patience throughout this pandemic and remind them to follow all the health precautions.

"I appreciated your patience throughout this pandemic. This is the duty of the Embassy to take care of all Pakistanis and due to these efforts, almost all stranded Pakistanis have been repatriated to Pakistan from Indonesia. These efforts will continue. Please follow all the precautions such as wearing masks, using hand sanitizers, and observing social distancing during these difficult times," Ambassador Abdul Salik Khan said.

This was the second flight of repatriation of Pakistani nationals from Indonesia during the past five weeks. Earlier, on 18 April 2020, 221 Pakistanis had returned to Pakistan from Indonesia. Around 450 Pakistanis were stranded in different parts of Indonesia due to flight cancellations amid the Covid-19 Pandemic outbreak. (VOI/AHM/Release Pakistan Embassy)