VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Social Affairs Minister Juliari P Batubara ensures adequate rice supply to send to 10 million families in the Family Hope Program (PKH) until October.

"Bulog's (State Logistics Agency's) rice supply is adequate for 10 million PKH beneficiaries who will receive 15 kg per household per month in August, September, and October," the minister said in a statement on Sunday.

The rice aid would be disbursed in two stages, where each household would receive 30 kg in September and 15 kg in October, he elaborated.

Besides implementing the social safety net scheme, the synergy between the ministry and the State Logistics Agency will help the distribution of rice stock in Bulog's warehouses, Batubara said.

"Bulog can absorb more farmers 'rice, and this can improve the farmers' welfare," he added.

Rice aid is a program under the Social Safety Net (JPS) scheme to cope with the social effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The program also aims to absorb farmers' rice production.

Director-General of Social Empowerment at the Social Affairs Ministry Edi Suharto said the ministry has the responsibility to ensure that beneficiaries will receive qualified rice for consumption.

"We guarantee the rice quality. We have to monitor this starting from packaging and distribution. We have to check the process in Bulog's warehouses," Suharto said.

After the packaging process in the agency's warehouses, the rice will be delivered directly to beneficiaries' houses. PT. Bhanda Ghara Reksa (BGR) and PT. Dos Ni Roha (DNR) were appointed to transport and deliver the rice. (Antaranews)

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto revealed that the government has disbursed Rp 3.3 trillion down payment for the Covid-19 vaccine.

"The total fund is Rp37 trillion for the multiyear program," he said at a press conference in Jakarta, on Friday.

On that occasion, Airlangga also revealed that the recovery rate in Indonesia reached 71.7 percent or higher than global, and the mortality rate reached 4.2 percent.

Meanwhile, until now, several Covid-19 vaccine candidates are still in the testing phase in Indonesia, amidst producers from several countries in the world competing to find the vaccine.

In carrying out the third phase clinical trial of the vaccine, the government will collaborate with the Chinese company, Sinovac. While its production is carried out by state-owned company Bio Farma.

Director of Bio Farma Honesti Basyir recently revealed that around 160 million Indonesians are prioritized to get the vaccine, with about two doses per person.

When the clinical trial is over, the vaccine candidate will be registered with the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) around January 2021.

In addition, the government is also developing its own vaccine, the Merah Putih vaccine by the Eijkman Institute for Molecular Biology.

The Merah Putih Vaccine is scheduled to complete animal trials by the end of 2020.

After the test is successful, they will submit the vaccine to Bio Farma for preclinical and clinical trials. (Antaranews)

The Indonesian government through the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment signed an agreement with the Australian iron ore industry company Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) to develop renewable energy to support the green industry.

The Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan and the founder of Fortescue Metals Group Andrew Forrest signed the agreement at the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Jakarta, Friday.

"The signing of this agreement shows the close and strategic relationship between Indonesia and Australia. I believe our efforts today will strengthen the foundation of partnerships to build a bright future together," Luhut said in his remarks.

Luhut said that through the agreement, there will be a joint task force to facilitate, accelerate and realize FMG investment in the construction of 60 GW hydroelectric power and 25 GW of renewable energy from geothermal power in the land Water.

"This investment, excluding the supporting infrastructure, will cost tens of billions of dollars. This huge investment will have a positive impact on Indonesia," Luhut added, without mentioning details of the investment value.

According to Luhut, Indonesia and Australia have the potential for minerals and renewable energy so they can collaborate and become key players in the green and renewable energy industry in the global arena.

The former Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs added that collaboration is an important thing to do in tough times such as the current Covid-19 pandemic.

He believes the agreement promotes sustainable development that combines economic development, social progress, and environmental protection.

"This agreement also strengthens President Joko Widodo's policy of bringing together economic recovery measures as the key ingredient of our fight against the pandemic," he said.

Besides the signing of the agreement deed, the two parties also signed an agreement to reduce the leakage of plastic waste into Indonesian waters.

According to Luhut, Andrew Forest through the Minderoo Foundation has made significant contributions to over 280 initiatives around the world by providing approximately 2 billion Australian dollars, including in major initiatives for the oceans.

"I believe this will further strengthen Indonesia's policy to reduce plastic waste leakage into Indonesian waters," he said.

Meanwhile, Andrew Forrest said that the development of renewable energy is a humanitarian effort to create a sustainable environment.

He said that to deal with plastic waste, there will be coordination of plastic waste processing with several multinational companies and the first prototype will be launched in December.

Meanwhile, power generation and renewable energy projects are expected to support a green industry that enhances the skills of Indonesia's workforce.

"And creating new jobs for the people of Indonesia," he said. (Antaranews)

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi chaired the Foreign Policy and Global Health Ministers' Virtual Meeting (FPGH MVM), Wednesday (3/9/2020).

During the meeting, Minister Retno discussed three important things. First, global cooperation to ensure equal and fair access to vaccines.

"The state's interest in meeting national needs and ensures access to vaccines for all must go hand in hand. No one is safe until everyone is safe," Retno said via teleconference, on Friday.

Retno also stated the importance of governance or a strong global health system.

According to Retno, FPGH countries must strengthen the World Health Organization, especially in carrying out early detection and responding to global health challenges.

Finally, Retno conveyed the importance of building a strong national health system for each country.

"This is very important considering that a strong national health system will support a strong global health architecture," said Retno.

He also hopes that FPGH can become a motor for strengthening the spirit of international cooperation and collaboration in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic.

Seven ministers from FPGH countries attended the meeting, they were South Africa, Brazil, Indonesia, France, Norway, Senegal, and Thailand.

The WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also attended the meeting. (RRI)