VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Health Ministry updated the development of the Covid-19 case in Indonesia on Thursday, with record-breaking 4,634 positive cases in a day.

This is the highest daily increase in cases since the first Covid-19 cases were announced in Indonesia in March 2020. The total of Covid-19 cases automatically becomes 262,022 cases.

The Covid-19 case has spread to 494 regencies/cities in 34 provinces in Indonesia.

The highest additional cases today are in Jakarta with an additional 1,044 new cases, West Java with 804 cases, Central Java with 434 cases, East Java with 343 cases, and West Sumatra with 302 cases.

Patients who recovered increased by 3,895 people, bringing the total to 191,853 people, while 128 people died today,  bringing the total fatalities to 10,105 people. (RRI)

Muhammad Lutfi, Indonesian Ambassador to the United States, invited partners in the US to work together to improve bilateral relations between the two countries, and make Indonesia and the US as the old new best friends.

"My mission as the Indonesian Ambassador to the United States is to make Indonesia and the United States the old new best friends in the future," he said in his welcoming ceremony which was held virtually by the United States-Indonesia Society (USINDO), as quoted in a written statement received in Jakarta, Thursday.

The ambassador, who recently submitted his credentials to President Donald Trump, emphasized his commitment and optimism to further strengthen the cooperation between the two countries.

"Apart from the ups and downs of the relationship between the two countries, I am sure that this is the start of a better path forward because we have a lot in common in terms of principles and values, including democracy, freedom of opinion, and respect for human rights," he said.

According to Ambassador Lutfi, Indonesia and the United States are currently in a situation of mutual need, especially in terms of economic advancement and maintaining stability in the Indo-Pacific Region.

“Indonesia is currently working hard to avoid the middle-income trap by continuing to maintain a good investment climate and improve export-import performance and the quality of human resources. In this regard, the United States is Indonesia's strategic partner to achieve these goals through investment, innovation, human resources, and technology,” Ambassador Lutfi said.

In addition, he added, in the context of maintaining political stability and security in the Indo-Pacific Region, Indonesia is a key player in the eyes of the US.

"Looking at our track record in the Indo-Pacific Region, it can be said that the US can rely on and work closely with Indonesia to continue to protect the Indo-Pacific Region to remain inclusive, open and transparent," he explained.

Apart from these two things, an aspect of cooperation that is a priority for Ambassador Lutfi is economic recovery after the COVID-19 Pandemic.

In addition to appreciating the US for assistance in handling the pandemic such as providing 500 ventilators, the agenda for the future is to collaborate with the US in infrastructure development in Indonesia and to improve the quality of human resources and technology transfer.

Meanwhile, Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs David R Stilwell, who was also present and represented the US Department of State, also conveyed the US commitment to support Ambassador Lutfi's goals.

"As a strategic partner, the US is ready to work with Indonesia to continue to maintain the stability of the Indo-Pacific Region," he said.

In addition, Stilwell also stated his commitment to support and assist Indonesia in post-pandemic economic recovery, one of which is through the Cooperation Framework to Strengthen Infrastructure Finance and Market Building, which was signed by the Ministers of Finance of the two countries, Steven T. Mnuchin and Sri Mulyani Indrawati on 18 September.

USINDO, represented by Theo L. Sambuaga as the Indonesian Co-Chair, explained that there were 300 participants who attended virtually at the event. They showed interest in the exposure of the new Indonesian Ambassador to the US.

Apart from Ambassador Lutfi himself, USINDO also gave a warm welcome to Mrs. Bianca Adinegoro Lutfi who was also present. (Antaranews)

President Joko Widodo told ministries and institutions to implement an integrated and solid strategy in growing the village economy and mitigating the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

President Jokowi, in a closed meeting at the State Palace, Jakarta, Thursday, asked the ministries and institutions not to carry out sectoral programs independently and to complement one another.

"If we do not integrate it, we would not see the results. Everything should be in a solid and integrated grand strategy," President Jokowi said at a meeting on the Acceleration of Village Economic Improvement.

President Jokowi asks that rural economic development must also coincide with poverty alleviation programs.

Rural economic growth must be a concern because rural areas are now an economic buffer for big cities after the reverse flow of population movement from cities to villages due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"This is a momentum to reinstall, improve, and also carry out reforms regarding the big strategy in transforming the village economy," President Jokowi said.

The President gave an example that the Ministry of Rural Affairs must ensure that they use the Village Fund budget for productive expenditure allocations.

Then add the rural basic infrastructure development program from the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing to the strategy.

He said the Ministry of Transportation could plan and build rural connectivity. The Ministry of Social Affairs can also focus on handling underprivileged residents. The Ministry of Cooperatives and Small and Micro Enterprises can focus on empowering small and micro business actors.

"This must be properly integrated," President Jokowi said. (Antaranews)

President Joko Widodo asked his staff to ensure that programs in the social protection net scheme run effectively and on target.

"In the short term, all program schemes related to social protection nets such as PKH, cash assistance, village cash assistance, need to run effectively," he said on a limited meeting via video conference on accelerating village economic improvement, in Jakarta, on Thursday.

The President said that the social protection net scheme must reach people in need, especially rural communities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We need to observe the implementation of cash (program) for the village so it can reduce the burden on rural communities who have lost their jobs or come from poor families in the village," he said.

The President also said that the COVID-19 pandemic should be used as a momentum to improve and reform the grand strategy of transforming the village economy. (Antaranews)