VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Jakarta. South Sulawesi Police Chief Inspector General Pol. Merdisyam confirmed the suicide bombing in the entrance of Cathedral Church in Makassar, South Sulawesi on Sunday morning has claimed one life.

"For information update, one person was killed and he was the suicide bomber. The police is still identifying him," Merdisyam said here on Sunday.

According to Merdisyam, the perpetrator had yet to enter the church as security personnel stopped him at the gate. At the same time, worshipers have ended the service.

"He has no chance to enter (the church). Because security guard got suspicious on him who was about to enter the church. The explosion happened at the entrance," he said, adding the explosion has destroyed the perpetrator's body.

The bomb blasted at around 10.30 a.m. local time in the entrance of Cathedral Church in Kajaolalido Street, Ujung Pandang Sub-district, Makassar.

The site of the bomb blast is close to Ujung Pandang Sub-District Police Station, Makassar Police Headquarter and Makassar City Hall.

The police immediately secured the location. (Antaranews)

Jakarta. North Sulawesi province has suspended the use of AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine as a precaution after vaccinated people experienced fever, chills, headache and fatigue.

"It is suspended temporarily while awaiting official clarification and statement from the Health Ministry and WHO representative for Indonesia with regard to the official letter we sent on March 26, 2021," Head of the North Sulawesi Provincial Health Office dr Debie KR Kalalo MSoPH said here on Saturday.

Spokesman for the North Sulawesi Covid-19 Response Task Force dr Steven Dandel MPH said the use of AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine has been temporarily suspended as a precaution after 5 to 10 percent of people administered AstraZeneca Covd-19 vaccine suffered a post-immunization side effect.

The post-immunization side effect include symptoms of fever, chills, bone pain, nausea and vomiting.

Steven said the emergency use authorization (EUA) for AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine stipulates that the post-immunization side effect is a frequent adverse effect which is found in one out of every 10 people administered the vaccine.

"We need to prepare risk communication to the public so they can accept the fact and will not panic,"he said.

The Indonesian government is targeting to obtain 100 million doses of AstraZeneca's vaccine to help the country contain the COVID-19 pandemic, Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin has informed.

"(We) are targeting to receive more than 100 million doses," he said while observing the vaccination of hundreds of preachers at the Office of East Java Provincial Executive Board of the Islamic Organization Nahdlatul Ulama (PWNU) in Surabaya on Tuesday.

The government had suspended the distribution of AstraZeneca's vaccines following a report on their side-effects.

With the results of a study conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO), the British Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), and the European drugs authority showing that the vaccine is safe for use, the government has now decided to restart distribution of the AstraZeneca vaccines.

Indonesia received 1.1 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine under the COVAX facility, the global initiative for equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines, on March 8 this year. (Antaranews)

Jakarta. Vice President Ma'ruf Amin said digital technology has helped Indonesia pass through the difficult time due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

During the pandemic, economic, government, educational, and social communication activities continued to run thanks to digital technology, he said in a written statement released on Sunday.

"Innovations in the use of digital technology have actually been ongoing since some time ago and have been accelerated globally due to the pandemic. The pandemic has compelled us to adapt (to the existing condition) and spur literacy and technology use," he said while addressing the digital business forum of Nahdliyin Business Association (HPN) held virtually in Bali on March 26-28, 2021.

He said the "forced" process of adapting to the current condition and increasing literacy and technology use has eliminated all hindrances related to age, gender, geography, and educational level.

"Now we are part of global digital community," he said.

The vice president further highlighted the development of sharia economy.

The government is strongly committed to developing sharia economy, focusing on developing halal industry, sharia financial industry, sharia social fund, and developing and expanding sharia business.

All these will drive micro small businesses to become stronger as part of global value chain.

He further encouraged HPN to build inclusive cooperation with various stakeholders, including regional government, industry, technology supplier, small and large businesses to boost the growth of sharia business centers across Indonesia.

Ï call on all sides to develop incubation centers to help would-be businessmen at all levels in many regions," he said. (Antaranews)

Jakarta.  A suicide bomber exploded himself in the entrance of Cathedral Church in the South Sulawesi provincial capital of Makassar on Sunday morning.

A body part and damaged motorcycle were found in the scene.

An eyewitness said he heard strong explosion which drew attention from nearby residents.

The police are still investigating the bomb blast.

No party has claimed responsibility for the suicide bomb attack. (Antaranews)