VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The government of Bogor Regency, West Java, will build two training fields for the 2021 U-20 World Cup, after Pakansari Stadium, Cibinong, was officially designated as one of the venues for the international sports event.

The two international-standard fields will be developed in the archery field near the Pakansari Stadium and PPOPM Athlete Complex in Karadenan Village, Cibinong.

"Based on the visit of the Ministry of Public Works and Housing as well as Indonesian Soccer Association (PSSI), we are required to build two training fields to support teams that will compete (in the U-20 World Cup)," Deputy Regent of Bogor Iwan Setiawan noted on Saturday.

Although they are only prepared as supporting fields for training grounds, the quality of grass, size, and dressing room must meet the standards set by FIFA.

In the meantime, three stadiums are already being used as training fields for U-20 World Cup athletes, specifically the outdoor Pakansari Stadium, Mini Persikabo Stadium, and Pajajaran Stadium.

With the designation of six main stadiums as the venue for the U-20 World Cup, Indonesia also has to prepare several other supporting stadiums.

In accordance with FIFA's requirements, 30 training fields must also be provided, as each of the main stadiums must be supported by five training fields around it.

FIFA and Indonesia's Ministry of Youth and Sports have confirmed the six main stadiums to be used for the U-20 World Cup held on May 24-June 12, 2021.

The six stadiums are the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium in Jakarta, the Pakansari Stadium in Bogor, the Manahan Stadium in Solo, the Mandala Krida Stadium in Yogyakarta, the Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium in Surabaya, and the Kapten I Wayan Dipta Stadium in Bali. (ANTARA)

Several people were moved from Diamond Princess cruise liner to land using a patrol boat at Yokohama port in Japan on Wednesday (Feb 5). Some 3,700 people will be quarantined at the cruise liner . for two weeks after a health official confirmed on Wednesday, 10 people aboard the cruise liner tested positive for coronavirus. (ANTARA)

Jakarta - Some 78 Indonesian nationals, the Diamond Princess cruise liner’s crew members, are being quarantined in the Yokohama waters, Japan, after some of its passengers were found to have contracted the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

The cruise liner, carrying 3,700 passengers and crew members, is currently docking in Yokohama coast.

"The Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo has coordinated with local authorities. All Indonesian crew members are in good health," Director of Indonesian Citizens and Legal Entities Protection of the Foreign Ministry Judha Nugraha noted in a short message text on Saturday.

The embassy has also established contact with the Indonesian crew members to monitor their condition and provide necessary assistance to them, he stated.

In accordance with the health protocol, the quarantine process at the cruise liner will last for 14 days, from February 5, 2020.

"The management of the cruise liner has provided logistics as well as free telephone and internet services to enable crew members to communicate with their families," he added.

On Friday (Feb 7), some 47 of the cruise liner's passengers were found to have been infected with the coronavirus. They were all moved and isolated at a hospital in Kanagawa Prefecture.

The new cases of coronavirus brought the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in Japan to 61 out of the 273 people suspected of being infected with the virus. (ANTARA)

Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto (ANTARA)

Jakarta - Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto highlighted the government’s plan to build a special facility to handle contagious diseases as a precautionary measure against an outbreak in the future.

"Hence, today's meeting is for brainstorming, collecting data on what's best for the future. Not for now," the minister stated at the Office of the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs in Jakarta on Friday.

He notified the press that during the meeting, the discussion centered on a particular place or island to host the planned facility to treat infectious diseases, such as the coronavirus.

He denied any rumor that the facility was required since the coronavirus outbreak would go on for a long time.

"No, it will not last long. When the climate changes, it will also change," he stated.

At least 100 islands have been mapped out as possible sites, but the meeting did not make a decision since it was the first of its kind held to discuss the matter, he remarked.

"Today, we spoke and discussed inputs for the coordinating minister later. We did not take any decision," he stated.

The former head of the Gatot Soebroto Jakarta Army Hospital stated that all aspects were taken into account in connection with preparations for the special facility.

"We studied all aspects pertaining to biology, politics, economy, defense, and security. All were reviewed. Hence, it was just brainstorming," he stated following the meeting.

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD had earlier chaired a meeting to discuss preparations to find an island or special place where a special facility will be built for infectious disease treatment.

The meeting was attended by several ministers and related officials, including Minister of Health Terawan Agus Putranto, Head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) Doni Munardo, and Head of the Indonesian Defense Forces' Health Center Major General Bambang DH.

Mahfud expounded that the meeting was a follow-up to President Joko Widodo's directives on the likelihood of building a specific place to exclusively treat and control infectious diseases, such as coronavirus.

"On February 4, the president gave directives to mull over the possibility of building a certain place that is exclusive and used as a hospital to cope with infectious diseases, such as coronavirus and SARS," he added. (ANTARA)

Jakarta (VOI News) - The Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC) facilitated a forum in Jakarta on Friday (7 Feb) to discuss the new European Union standards for a chemical compound found in palm oil, known as 3-MCPD. The compound, which is thought to affect the kidneys when consumed in high doses, is facing high global regulations on imported palm oil.

In 2018-2019, the EU cracked down on the maximum limit of 1,000 micrograms per kilogram on another compound found in palm oil, known as glycidyl esters (GE). The EU plan to introduce the same restrictions on the 3-MCPD (3-monochlorpro-pandiol ester) compound, despite the recommended safety limit for these compounds being as high as 2,500 micrograms per kilogram. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Forum, Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, claimed these regulations were unfair and inconsistent with those imposed on other vegetable oils.  He emphasized the need for developing Asian economies to start speaking up on the world stage.

"We have to make several strategies, not leave it to countries like Europe to set the standard just for the sake of protecting their market. We can raise our voice, say it loudly. And the economy of regional RCEP, Regional Communicative Economy is way bigger than the EU. We have thirty-two percent of the economy, and we have almost more forty percent of the population. So the voice of us should be on par with the size that we have," said Minister Airlangga Hartarto.

Directorate-General for Health and Consumers from the European Commission Frans Verstraete, at the event, emphasized the EU’s concern for the “human and animal health” effects of palm oil consumption with high 3-MCPD levels, while maintaining the importance of the free movement of food imports across Europe. Vice-Chairman of Indonesian Palm Oil Association Togar Sitanggang said if the regulations passed in the EU, it would “limit” palm oil exports to Europe and would cause a price drop on the commodity if the market was lost. (VOI/LAURA GREEN/AHM)