The Indonesian Embassy in Beirut has acknowledged its continued support for trade cooperation improvement between Indonesia and Lebanon. Indonesian Ambassador to Lebanon Hajriyanto Y Thohari gave the Primaduta Award to Lebanese businessman and importer, George R Fattouh. The award was given for his service in helping market Indonesian products in Paris from the Middle East. The award was given at a ceremony at the Indonesian Embassy in Beirut, Thursday (11/1) Fatough, is the owner of George R. Fattouh S.A.L, a business that has been importing Indonesian products since the 1980s. It has a range of products, including: palm oil and its derivatives, oil and fats (including cocoa butter substitute, fat spread, hydrogenated palm kernel oil, and lauric confectionery fats), cardboard, stationary, and school equipment. Some Indonesian products are now even available at famous retail networks, such as Spinney’s and Carrefour. In 2022, the value imported by George R. Fattough S.A.L of Indonesian products, was 981.3 million USD. This was a 149.5 million USD increase when compared to 2021. Fattouh said Indonesian products are known for their quality and are in high demand in Lebanese markets. However, he said, the challenge now is increasing freight costs due to security challenges in the region.
View
Listeners, a number of delicious dishes were served to the guests of Dhaup Ageng Pura Pakualaman Yogyakarta, at the wedding reception of the youngest son of K.G.P.A.A. Paku Alam X, namely B.P.H. Kusumo Kuntonugroho with Laily Annisa Kusumastuti which was held on January 10, 2024.Head of the Customs and Accommodation Division, Dhaup Ageng Pura Pakualaman, KRT Radyo Wisroyo said that the menu served to guests was quite varied. These menus are typical menus prepared by Pakualaman Pura, Indonesian menus and western food menus were also available. All invited guests including VIP and VVIP guests got the same menu. The first menu served to welcome guests, namely two types of welcome drink, namely lime lemongrass and ginger drink with lime. The welcome drink was given when guests sat down and watched the Bedhaya Sidamukti and Bedhaya Kakung Indrawidagda dance performances. Next, they gotsnacks for appetizer such as croquettes and other light snacks. There is a snack that is considered quite special and rare called Garulina. Garulina was the opening snack at the Pahargyan Dhaup Ageng Pakualaman lunch on the first day. Garulina has been around since the era before Indonesian independence. Garulina is actually not a typical Central Javanese food. It looks like the Lapis Legit layered cake, but there is something different, because there is a special layer like vla which is made from fresh milk, eggs and sugar. To get this sweet snack, Pakulaman Temple has to place a special order from the third generation of makers who have been pioneering since the 1950s. In Jogja, Garulina is very difficult to find and is considered rare because it is not sold every day.
ViewThe lack of awareness among Indonesians of mental health amid the Covid-19 pandemic situation can certainly cause special problems. Therefore, three students of the Ten November Institute of Technology (ITS) created Curhatin, an application for online psychology consulting services. By forming a team, they created an online psychology consultation service application.
The team leader, Bagas Juwono Priambodo said that the Indonesian people are still considered being less concerned about their mental health. Many people think that mental health consultation is not important. Even amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic situation, the psychological problems of the Indonesian people are increasing. Excessive worry is one reason for the emergence of mental health problems today. That is the basis of the team creating the application named “Curhatin”. It is a mobile android based application. This application is equipped with various psychological services that can help the community. The services provided are anti-stress tips, consultations with psychologists, stress healing methods, stress monitoring, and personal journal records.
The consultation services with psychologists will be carried out by sending messages, calls and video calls. People can freely choose according to their individual needs. The team also plans to coordinate with the Indonesian Mental Medicine Specialist Association. In the future, the anti-stress tips service features, stress monitoring, and several other tips will be presented in the form of videos and articles. Thanks to their great attention to the mental health of the Indonesian people through the application idea of Curhatin, Bano and team were successful in the INA IDEAthon Covid-19 competition held by the Ministry of Research and Technology / National Research and Innovation Agency (Kemenristek / BRIN). They have also been named as the 17 Best Ideas to defeat 5,590 ideas throughout Indonesia.
The Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) team developed a device for disinfection of reusable Personal Protective Equipment -PPE and disposable PPE. This is motivated by a variety of cases of medical personnel infected with COVID-19 while on duty, even though they have been equipped with appropriate PPE and good usage procedures. The team analyzed that the possibility of exposure occurred because of PPE management, both when interacting with patients and when changing PPE.
The team created a device that uses ozone gas as a disinfectant. Chief researcher Sri Harjati Suhardi, PhD said, there are two types of tools that are used according to their uses. The first one is a disinfectant device that uses ozone mist to sterilize reusable PPE after use, such as hazard clothes, face shields, and safety glasses. Whereas, the second tool uses ozone gas for disposable PPE, for example masks and gloves, before disposal. Both become effective tools because they can kill the virus within seven or ten seconds according to studies in disinfection of microorganisms.
In its use, PPE is only stored in tightly closed containers and there is very little contact with medical personnel when doing the sterilization process. The consideration for the selection of ozone because it is safe for humans does not leave residues, and will be transformed back into oxygen. Now the tool is already in the prototype stage and ready to be launched for mass production. It is hoped that this PPE cleaning and sterilization container device will become an alternative solution to solve the problem of protecting medical personnel and hospital management.
The Ten November Institute of Technology (ITS) collaborates with Airlangga University Hospital (RSUA) to continue to produce innovative technology for handling the Corona virus outbreak. This time, the invented innovation is in the form of Ultra Violet ITS - Airlangga (VIOLETA) robot which is useful to facilitate the process of room sterilization for the care of Covid-19 patients. ITS Deputy Rector IV, Bambang,Pramujati PhD explained that the idea of creating the VIOLETA robot began when several ITS lecturers succeeded in researching the use of UV light to eliminate or inhibit the growth of microorganisms. This robot can also avoid physical contact with UV exposure because it is very dangerous when it comes to humans directly.
VIOLETA uses a UV light that is controlled remotely by using wireless control. This robot is effectively used at a distance of 1 to 2 meters to the object and takes 10 to 15 minutes to fully sterilize. One of the VIOLETA's research teams, Endarko added that in general, these UV lights have wavelengths of 200 to 300 nanometers. In practice and theory, the wavelength range can kill microorganisms well. This 30 watt UV light is healthier and safer than using disinfectants. This is because there are no residues left after the sterilization process.
As for the application in the Covid-19 case, the VIOLETA robot has the benefit of being able to sterilize the isolation space that has been used or the area that has been used in handling Covid-19 and without involving humans directly. One of the VIOLETA robot team programmers, Achmad Zidan Akbar said, the robot which weighs 30 kilograms uses the basic platform of the ITS soccer robot named IRIS. The VIOLETA also uses an inverter to convert the direct current from the battery into an alternating current which will turn on the UV light.
Air circulation in a building is an important aspect that must be considered when trying to design a building. Three students of the Department of Civil Infrastructure Engineering created an eco-friendly building designed with a concept of a termite nest that is able to provide better air circulation. According to one member of the team, Muhammad Yusril Bastian, currently, Indonesia has many environmental problems. Therefore, eco-friendly building exists to overcome these problems.
Yusril revealed that this eco-friendly building adopts the concept of a termite nest. This concept can circulate air from outside. In addition, this concept can also reduce the temperature of heat in the room. This concept was chosen so that the building feels cool without using an air conditioner. He also explained that the temperature from outside was reduced first. Afterwards, the air is channeled into the rooms in it, so the building will feel cooler. Termite nest building can reduce temperatures to ten degrees Celsius.
In terms of building materials, Yusril said that there were no specific criteria needed in the construction of this building. The building material chosen is almost the same as conventional buildings in general. He also mentioned several advantages, including being able to save electricity by 93 percent in comparison with the use of Air Conditioners (AC) and 21 percent compared to the use of fans. As for water usage, this building is able to save water usage by 100 percent compared to conventional homes. Thanks to these advantages, Yusril and his two friends won second place in the scientific writing competition at the Udayana University in Bali last February.
Indonesia's sea wealth is enormous and its sea area reaches 2.3 million square kilometers. If managed properly, Indonesia can be independent in producing sea fish without importing from other countries. In this regard, the student of the Sepuluh November Technology Institute (ITS), Alfian Bimanjaya tried to make a new breakthrough named the Fisheries Potential Information System -SIRIPIKAN in the international competition Esri Young Scholars Award 2020 last March. He won two achievements at the same time. He successfully came out as runner-up and he was favorite among the finalists.
SIRIPIKAN was made with the primary objective to provide geospatial information about the potential of fisheries to improve the effectiveness of fishing activities and fish distribution activities. In addition, SIRIPIKAN also comes with several spatial analysis features, such as proximity analysis, direction search, route, and travel time which are still rarely provided by other similar applications today. In making SIRIPIKAN, Alfian used remote sensing technology, specifically the Moderate Resolution Imaging Specter-radio-meter satellite imagery to determine the Potential Fishing Zones. Geographic Information System (GIS) Technology is also used to analyze and present geospatial information on the distribution of Potential Fishing Zones.
Alfian explained that from the features possessed, the use of SIRIPIKAN can be used by not only fishermen as a supplier of capture fish, but also distributors and fish traders. The community as fish consumers can also use this technology, as well as the government as the party that takes the policy. SIRIPIKAN still needs a lot of development, especially in terms of data updating. At present, information on Potential Fishing Zones is still available periodically on a monthly basis. In the future, SIRIPIKAN can provide Potential Fishing Zones information every week, even updated every day.
Amid the Covid-19 pandemic that spread throughout the world, a scarcity of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) arises, that is needed by the medical team who stand at the forefront line in handling Covid-19. Responding to this, the Institut Teknologi Sepuluh November (ITS) Surabaya showed its contribution in suppressing the scarcity of the PPE on the market by producing Face Shield Mask needed by the medical team.
Head of Integrated Digital Design Laboratory of the ITS Industrial Product Design Department in Surabaya, Djoko Kuswanto said that the idea of making a Face Shield Mask was an active response to panic buying by the community on the impact of the outbreak of Covid-19, even though medical personnel were the ones who most needed this PPE. In the production of Face Shield Mask, ITS collaborates with the Indonesian 3D Printer Association. The production target of the Face Shield Mask is expected to meet 500-1,000 items every day.
This emergency PPE mask uses two types of materials, namely High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) and Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic. This emergency mask must also be produced by paying attention to the safety of the material used. Djoko stressed that these masks are only for clinical institutions that need them. This free distribution has a flow of distribution procedures that are not arbitrary. For clinical institutions that need this mask must prepare an official request letter and attach it together with the online form provided.
By implementing the policy of expanding social quarantine or enhancing community quarantine -EQC throughout Luzon Island, the people of the Philippines, including Indonesian citizens in the Philippines are requested not to be panic. Quoted from the Indonesian embassy’s statement in Manila which was received in Jakarta on Monday, the government of the Philippines ensures the availability of basic supplies, so that people need not be panic. The Indonesian embassy in Manila also coordinated with Foreign Affairs Ministry of the Philippines, and communicated with the Indonesian citizens, especially who live in Metro Manila to minimize the impact of the policy. The EQC policy and social restrictions on Luzon Island are effective from March 17, 2020 until April 13, 2020 at 00.00 local time. At the first day of the situation was very quiet, and shops and offices had to adjust their operation. Meanwhile, employees at vital services, such as security and border’s guards still do activities normally.
Indonesian Consulate General in Karachi held a meeting with Leaders and Management of SITE Association of Industry on March 11, 2020. SITE is the biggest industrial and trade zone in Pakistan, having 1,800 hectares wide and more than 4,500 factories. The meeting has very big opportunity to increase cooperation in the field of economy and trade between Indonesia and Pakistan. Indonesian Consul General, Totok Prianamto said that there is opportunity to increase cooperation in the field of economy, trade and investment among the two countries; one of them is through investment utilization on the SITE industrial zone. President of SITE Association, Mr. Suleman Chawla welcomed the opportunity and agreed to cooperate with Indonesia. The cooperation is through the form of joint venture. This is supported by the increasing demand for industrial raw materials, as well as enormous potential for Indonesia to meet the needs of the Pakistani market
Indonesian Consulate General in Kuching issued an appeal to all Indonesian citizens who are in Sarawak, Malaysia to keep watching out on Covid-19. Head of Representative of the Indonesian Consulate General in Kuching, Yonni Triprayitno said in Kuching on Tuesday (17/3) that taking into account the latest development on Covid-19 outbreak and listening to the statement and appeal of Indonesian President, Malaysian Prime Minister, Chief Minister of Sarawak, and West Kalimantan governor on March 16, 2020, all Indonesian citizens in Sarawak have to respond and implement the government recommendations and directives wisely for the good and safety to all in a bid to avoid the Covid-19. Yonni explained that Representative of Indonesian Consulate General in Kuching starting from March 17, 2020 will establish a special team of monitoring and handling Corona case in Sarawak. He also hopes that people, especially Indonesian citizens in Sarawak can cooperate and coordinate each other with the Indonesian Consulate General in Kuching. The Head of Indonesian Consulate General also appeals to all Indonesian citizens in Sarawak to keep protecting their health, and communicating well and politely.
Indian Ambassador to Indonesia, Pradeep Kumar Rawat on Saturday (14/3) visited Banjar regency related to cooperation plan between the governments of India and Banjar regency. The cooperation plans with Banjar regency cover diamond processing, skill development and human resources. Regent of Banjar, Khalilurrahman hopes that in the meeting, they also discussed cooperation to exchange information by being able to improve the welfare of the people of Banjar Regency. Ambassador Pradeep Kumar Rawat explained that his arrival aimed to know more on Banjar regency and also to see any existing potential in Martapura which can be developed. He also offered the cooperation plan, especially in the field of culture and the results of natural resources in Banjar Regency.
Minister of Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises, Teten Masduki held a bilateral meeting with delegation of the government of the Dutch Kingdom which was led by Vice Minister of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality of the Dutch Kingdom, Jan-Kees Goet in Jakarta on Thursday (12/3). On the occasion, Minister Teten Masduki offered development cooperation of Indonesian Agricultural Cooperative with agricultural cooperative in the Netherlands. He encourages the existence of investment and cooperative of the Dutch with Indonesian cooperative in order to realize the transfer of knowledge, innovation, and management.
Indonesian embassy in Madrid, Spain on Sunday (15/3) called on Indonesian citizens in order to obey the policy of local government which restricts outdoor activities for 15 days beginning on Monday (16/3) in order to reduce the spread of new types of corona viruses -COVID-19). The Indonesian embassy in Madrid requests Indonesian citizens to provide sufficient food and medicines and actively establish communication with the Indonesian representative office in Spain. This was stated by the Executive of the Social and Cultural Education Function of the Indonesian Embassy in Madrid, Ekalyptha Setyo Cahyono through a written statement received in Jakarta. During the period of isolation, the Indonesian Embassy in Madrid also requested Indonesian citizens, who are on holidays in Spain, to immediately return to Indonesia, remembering that all attractions and restaurants are suspended to operate in Spain.
After the Indonesian government announced that there were Indonesian citizens who were positive for the corona virus (Covid-19) some time ago, many residents were busy buying masks and hand sanitizers. So, the masks and hand sanitizers are becoming rare in the market. In fact, efforts to prevent the spread of the corona virus can be done with a clean and healthy lifestyle. One of them is by washing hands with soap. However, if it is outside and there is no water or soap, the choice is with antiseptic liquid hand sanitizer. Seeing this condition, one of the lecturers from the Faculty of Pharmacy, Gadjah Mada University, UGM, Dr. Ronny Martien, M.Sc., makes herbal Nano polymers hand sanitizer spray.
He makes herbal hand sanitizer spray Nano polymers. This product was made as an alternative to antiseptics because hand sanitizers are now rare and expensive in the market due to the outbreak of the corona virus in Indonesia. The raw ingredient is green betel leaf which is widely used as traditional medicine.Apparently, the development of a product called " Betel Infusion Nano polymer Spray " has been carried out by Ronny since last year. The green betel leaf was chosen as raw material because it has an antibacterial activity which is generally caused by bacterial infections such as Staphylococcus auerus and Escherichia coli. He also remarked that the use of many synthetic antibiotics cause bacterial resistance. Because it needs formulations from natural ingredients such as green betel leaf.
The hand sanitizer product made by Ronny uses Nano technology. The formulation in the form of nanoparticles is carried out because green betel leaves has relatively low solubility in water. According to him, the betel leaf infusion Nano polymer spray is made alcohol-free by formulating betel leaf infusion with chitosan. Therefore, he hopes that his creation can be an alternative solution in overcoming scarcity and the high cost of hand sanitizers on the market.
Indonesian Embassy in Seoul rotated the Aju Command Post close to Daegu City as the corona virus outbreak centers in South Korea by withdrawing the previous team and sending a second team on Thursday (12/3). The embassy in a press statement stated that Aju Command Post team from Daegu is in good health. After returning to the duty, the team will conduct an independent quarantine and work at home for 14 days. The team will be replaced every two weeks with the aim of changing officers to continuously monitor the situation of around 1,403 Indonesian Citizens (WNI) who live in Daegu and Gyeongsangbuk-do cities as the two areas most affected by the outbreak. The Aju Command Post was established on February 27 in Gyeongbuk, Euiseonggun, Bongyangmyeon Ansilgil 7-11, about 50 kilometres from Daegu City, as an expansion of the efforts to protect Indonesian citizens, particularly after the South Korean government set a high alertness status.
Indonesian Embassy in Singapore announced that there are five Indonesian citizens who are positive for COVID-19 in the local country and one of them is declared to have recovered and returned from the hospital. This was said by Head of the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore's Social and Political Affairs Office, Ratna Lestari Harjana on Thursday (12/3). The number of COVID-19 Positive Indonesians continuously grows. Finally, the Singaporean Ministry of Health announced the 170th positive case of COVID-19 in Singapore on Wednesday (11/3), a 56-year-old Indonesian citizen with female sex arrived in Singapore on March 9, 2020 and was delivered to the Singapore General Hospital (SGH) on the same day. The test results concerned tested positive for COVID-19 on the afternoon of March 10. The Indonesian citizen felt the symptoms of COVID-19 since March 6 while she was in Indonesia. The Indonesian Embassy released that the Indonesian citizen is a family member of the 152th case of Indonesian citizen who has been declared positive for COVID-19. The Indonesian Embassy will continuously and closely monitor and coordinate with relevant authorities regarding with the tackling of these Indonesian citizens.
Indonesian Embassy in Singapore urged Indonesian citizens who want to visit the "Lion Country" to prepare themselves with travel insurance related to local state policy in handling COVID-19. Based on the provisions of the Singaporean Government, from 7 March 2020, all visitors visiting Singapore, with a short-term visit pass (tourist visa / 30-day visit) who undergo COVID-19 treatment in Singapore, are required to pay medical expenses. Head of the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore's Social and Political Affairs Office, Ratna Lestari Harjana stated on Thursday (12/3) that it is important for Indonesian citizens to prepare themselves with travel insurance. The Singaporean Ministry of Health will continue to conduct COVID-19 tests free of charge to all parties as a preventive measure for the spread of COVID-19 in Singapore. On the occasion, the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore reminded all Indonesian citizens who are in Singapore and Indonesian citizens who plan to visit Singapore that DORSCON Orange status is still applicable.