VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesian Vice President, Ma'aruf Amin visited a book exhibition on the occasion of National Book Day at the Jakarta National Library building (Photo : Perpusnas) - 

VOInews, Jakarta : The Indonesian Vice President (Wapres) Ma'ruf Amin launched the Village Literacy Movement which was the highlight of the 44th Anniversary of the National Library of the Republic of Indonesia (Perpusnas) and National Book Day 2024. In his speech, on Friday (17/05/24) at Jakarta National Library Building, Vice President of Indonesia, Ma'aruf Amin said that the village literacy movement invites active participation of village communities in creating superior human resources and competitiveness in developing villages in Indonesia.

"The village literacy movement that will be launched today invites the active participation of village communities in creating superior and competitive human resources, especially in developing villages in Indonesia. This movement should be able to shape and change the mindset of village communities so that they can actively participate in development and empowerment programs for village communities launched by the government", Vice President said. 

Vice President Ma'aruf Amin added that books are the main medium for increasing literacy and a prerequisite for the birth of intellect. Books also encourage the development of critical thinking skills and problem-solving abilities. Therefore libraries are important as a source of inspiration and a center for community literacy activities. 

Meanwhile, Acting Director of National Library E. Aminudin Aziz stated that one of National Library's missions is to organize a program to improve the reading culture and literacy skills of the community.

Since 2015, this program has become a national movement to welcome a Golden Indonesia 2045. However, the results of literacy development are still often questioned considering that facts are still found that show the low level of interest in reading among students and the general public.

"We believe that the low level of reading interest and literacy skills is due to the lack of availability of reading books that suit readers' interests. In fact, data shows that people's interest in reading is actually quite high," he said.

He said that the National Library was making efforts to coordinate with various stakeholders in providing quality books.

"Alignment of policies and programs that we have implemented is carried out with Bappenas, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Education and Culture, and Ministry of Villages PDTT with coordination from the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture," he said.

The understanding to harmonize literacy development policies and programs, he continued, resulted in several initiatives, namely National Library will build reading rooms in 10 thousand villages and community reading parks with the support of a thousand reading book titles for each reading room, the Ministry of Education and Culture will distribute around 27 million reading books to the surrounding area.

45 thousand elementary schools, the Ministry of Home Affairs optimizes the role of libraries in provinces, districts and cities to facilitate literacy programs, the Ministry of Villages PDTT provides village budget support for the operation of reading rooms and TBM in villages.

In the peak event, there was a symbolic handover of 10 million books for 10,000 villages, a symbolic handover of 27 million books for 45,000 elementary schools, a symbolic handover of library development aid in the form of mobile library cars and mobile library service motorbikes.

The event commemorating the 44th Anniversary of the National Library in 2024 was also enlivened with various exhibitions, such as library exhibitions from time to time, quality book exhibitions, exhibitions of ancient manuscripts and manuscripts, exhibitions of mobile libraries and TBMs, exhibitions of library transformation based on social inclusion (TPBIS), and exhibitions creativity of literacy activists//VOI

VOInews, Jakarta: Yemen plans to build an Indonesia-Yemen Cultural Centre (Markaz ar Tsaqafah al Indunisi wal Yamani) to strengthen cultural cooperation between the two countries. The plan was revealed by the Yemeni Ambassador to Indonesia, H.E. Dr Abdulghani Nassr Ali Al Shamiri to Voice of Indonesia on Friday (17/5/2024) in Jakarta. "The Yemeni government strongly encourages the construction of the Indonesia-Yemen Cultural Centre here in Indonesia. And this will strengthen cultural relations between the two nations," Ambassador Abdulghani Nassr Ali said. 

Ambassador Abdulghani Nassr Ali believes the Yemen-Indonesia Cultural Centre will further strengthen cultural cooperation, education and other sectors more intensively and better in the future. The construction of the Indonesia-Yemen Cultural Centre is planned to be completed by the end of 2024. "Insha Allah, the construction of the Indonesian-Yemeni Cultural Centre will be built by the end of 2024 in Jakarta and there will be (followed by) branches in other major cities," Ambassador Abdulghani Nassr Ali said. 

It is known that the relationship between Indonesia and Yemen has been established since the 9th century through trade and Islamic propagation. Ambassador Abdulghani Nassr Ali praised the success of the early generation of Yemenis in Indonesia who were able to present a good portrait for the Yemeni and Indonesian people through noble morals and good relationships so as to successfully preach Islam through a cultural approach. 

VOInews, Jakarta: Yemen plans to build an Indonesia-Yemen Cultural Centre (Markaz ar Tsaqafah al Indunisi wal Yamani) to strengthen cultural cooperation between the two countries. The plan was revealed by the Yemeni Ambassador to Indonesia, H.E. Dr Abdulghani Nassr Ali Al Shamiri to Voice of Indonesia on Friday (17/5/2024) in Jakarta. "The Yemeni government strongly encourages the construction of the Indonesia-Yemen Cultural Centre here in Indonesia. And this will strengthen cultural relations between the two nations," Ambassador Abdulghani Nassr Ali said. 

Ambassador Abdulghani Nassr Ali believes the Yemen-Indonesia Cultural Centre will further strengthen cultural cooperation, education and other sectors more intensively and better in the future. The construction of the Indonesia-Yemen Cultural Centre is planned to be completed by the end of 2024. "Insha Allah, the construction of the Indonesian-Yemeni Cultural Centre will be built by the end of 2024 in Jakarta and there will be (followed by) branches in other major cities," Ambassador Abdulghani Nassr Ali said. 

It is known that the relationship between Indonesia and Yemen has been established since the 9th century through trade and Islamic propagation. Ambassador Abdulghani Nassr Ali praised the success of the early generation of Yemenis in Indonesia who were able to present a good portrait for the Yemeni and Indonesian people through noble morals and good relationships so as to successfully preach Islam through a cultural approach. 

VOInews, Jakarta: Indonesian hajj pilgrims need to be aware of the transmission of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), which is caused by the Middle East respiratory syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV).

According to a press release from the Indonesian Ministry of Health (Kemenkes), Thursday (16/5/2024) the MERS-CoV virus is sourced from camels. "MERS-CoV has been identified and associated with human infection from camel mounts in several Middle Eastern, African and South Asian countries," wrote the Indonesian Ministry of Health. 

Most confirmed cases of MERS, according to the Ministry of Health, experience severe acute respiratory syndrome. The initial symptoms most often found, namely fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Some cases also have symptoms of diarrhoea and nausea or vomiting. In addition, severe complications can include pneumonia and kidney failure. 

Previously, Director of Health Quarantine Surveillance at the Directorate General of Disease Prevention and Control (P2P) of the Indonesian Ministry of Health, Dr Achmad Farchanny Tri Adryanto, M.K.M in Jakarta, on Tuesday (14/5) said that hajj pilgrims who suffer from fevre or headache should report their condition to the Indonesian Hajj Health Workers (TKHI). "All infectious diseases due to viruses and bacteria are generally preceded by fever. It is very important, and we have also conveyed this to our hajj pilgrims, if they start to feel unwell, start to feel feverish, they must immediately report to their TKHI in the kloter to get further examination and treatment," Farchanny said.

According to Farchanny, when hajj pilgrims are examined by health workers or doctors, questions that will be explored more deeply include the history of the pilgrims' contact with camels and the history of consumption of products from camels. The potential for transmission of MERS-CoV, continued Farchanny, is mainly transmission from virus-carrying animals to humans. However, there is a possibility of transmission from human to human. "The criteria for human-to-human transmission of MERS-CoV is the first when there is close contact between the patient and his family members at home. Second, there is close contact between the patient and health workers at the hospital or health facilities," he said.

Given the potential for MERS-CoV transmission, Farchanny urged pilgrims to always take precautions. First, always wear a mask when in crowded places. Second, always implement a Clean and Healthy Lifestyle (PHBS), especially washing hands with soap or using hand sanitiser. Third, avoid contact with camels. "In addition, maintain your physical condition because Hajj is a physical act of worship. Don't forget to get enough rest, don't be forced to travel. MERS-CoV is a virus, if our immune system is good, the potential for transmission will be small," said Farchanny.

Source: Indonesian Ministry of Health