VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

President Joko Widodo inaugurated the national hero monument Fatmawati Soekarno, the first lady of the Republic of Indonesia at Simpang Lima Ratu Samban, Bengkulu City on Wednesday afternoon (5/2). He said the First Lady Fatmawati Soekarno, who came from Bengkulu, is instrumental in her efforts to seize and defend the independence of the Republic of Indonesia. He sewed the Red and White heirloom flag which was hoisted during the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence on August 17, 1945 at Jalan Pegangsaan Timur No. 56 in Jakarta. President Joko Widodo also said, as a first lady, Fatmawati always supported the struggle of President Soekarno, motivating Bung Karno to fight for independence amid limitations during the colonial period. Fatmawati Monument, according to him, is an evidence of respect for the Indonesian people against the struggle of Fatmawati Soekarno. (Ant)

Indonesian President, Joko Widodo said that until now, the repatriation of Indonesian citizens who were former members of Islamic countries in Iraq and Syria or ISIS from the Middle East, is still in the process of being discussed. As reported by Antara, President Joko Widodo at the State Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday (5/2) emphasized the need to hold a limited meeting to specifically discuss the plan. According to the President, everything related to this matter must go through detailed considerations. He added that in the meeting a decision would be taken, so that it could then be followed up immediately. Previously, Minister of Religious Affairs, Fachrul Razi said, the National Counterterrorism Agency would repatriate 600 Indonesian citizens who were members of ISIS from the Middle East. (Ant.06 02 2020/Nrl)

Three of the 238 Indonesians recently airlifted from Wuhan, China's epicenter of the novel coronavirus outbreak, are residents of Bulukumba District, South Sulawesi Province, South Sulawesi Governor HM Nurdin Abdullah has confirmed. "We have coordinated with the provincial health office. We are taking precautionary measures and are preparing for their return from Natuna District after they complete their 14-day coronavirus incubation period," he told journalists here Wednesday.

"The provincial administration should ensure that they are in good health after being quarantined in Natuna District, Riau Islands Province, so that they can be united with their families in Bulukumba," he said.

A special team whose members comprise those from the South Sulawesi provincial and Bulukumba district administrations has been prepared, Abdullah added.

The Indonesian Government had brought 238 Indonesians home. They were airlifted using a chartered aircraft and arrived in Batam city, Riau Islands Province, on Sunday, February 2. On the same day, they were all flown to Natuna and quarantined.

Before their departure, the health of these 238 Indonesian evacuees had been thoroughly examined by the Chinese authorities before being allowed to board the aircraft.

The Chinese health authorities confirmed that they were all in good health and could be airlifted, according to Indonesian Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto. There were seven other Indonesians who did not join the evacuation.

Four of the seven were offered the opportunity to join the emergency evacuation but refused because they felt more comfortable there, while three others failed the health examinations by Chinese authorities, Putranto said.

The novel coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan has seriously challenged mainland China as the death toll of this virus has risen to 479 and the number of reported confirmed 2019-nCoV cases in Hubei Province had reached 16,678 as of Tuesday.

Considering the rising mortality rate and the number of those infected inside and outside mainland China, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared this 2019-nCoV as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

According to WHO's official website, as of February 3, 2020 there have been 23 countries which have been reported with confirmed 2019-nCoV cases. Among them are Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand, Australia, Malaysia, USA, and the Philippines.

Indonesia and many other countries are working with the Chinese authorities to evacuate their citizens from Wuhan. The evacuation is part of the accountability of the governments of those countries to their respective citizens. (ANTARA)

Some 285 Indonesian citizens including students, aircraft crew and pick-up team members, returning from Wuhan, China, are in good health while undergoing observation on Natuna Island, Riau Islands Province, the Ministry of Health has said. "So far, their body temperature has not increased, they have no cough, cold, or shortness of breath which are symptoms of the coronavirus disease," Director General of Disease Prevention and Control of the Ministry of Health Anung Sugihantono said via a long distant video conference, here Wednesday.

Anung is currently at the observation post in Natuna to monitor the health of the Indonesian citizens who had been picked up by the government from Wuhan, Hubei Province, recently.

The 285 Indonesians comprise 238 Indonesian citizens, mostly students staying in Hubei Province, five officers of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 18 crew members of Batik Air flight, and 24 members of pickup team.

On the fourth day of the observation process, the government deployed seven psychologists, to join internists, lung specialists, cardiologists, and obstetrics.

Besides, some general practitioners and nurses are ready 24x7 to provide medical assistance.

On February 5, 2020, Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto and Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto visited the quarantined Indonesians on Natuna Island. (ANTARA)