Jakarta - President Joko Widodo led a limited Cabinet Meeting that discussed preparations for capital moving at the State Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday afternoon (01/15/2020). Through his direction, President Joko Widodo highlighted a number of aspects in the preparation for new capital of Indonesia. In terms of regulation, he also asked ministers to prepare a number of draft bills and regulations regarding the new state capital.  The President hopes that the draft legislation can be completed sooner so that it can be discussed immediately by House of Representatives (DPR).  President Joko Widodo also asked Minister of the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas),  Suharso Monoarfa to prepare the Capital Authority Agency.  It is expected that the institution can be formed immediately so that it can focus on preparing the movement of the capital.

“I think that great ideas for the design have already existed but  the design is a design that can be improved and it can change.  So, I hope that later on, all my ministers can provide inputs related to the design, and the transportation because in the new capital, public transportation will generally use autonomous vehicles and also the private vehicles will also use autonomous cars and the design will be explained by Minister of Transportation and Minister of Research. Regarding with readiness, the infrastructure will also be directed to the use of electric vehicles and autonomous vehicles,” said President Joko Widodo.

Moreover,  President Joko Widodo also highlighted the issue of land in the new state capital. He asked Minister Suharso Monoarfa to collaborate with Minister of Environment and Forestry, Siti Nurbaya Bakar to be able to soon resolve land issues so that the designers of the new capital can immediately realize the final design of the capital. (NDY/AHM/TRANS: AF)

Natuna - Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Politics, Law and Security, Mahfud MD monitored Natuna waters, using the Indonesian Warship (KRI) Semarang 594 during his visit to Natuna on Wednesday (15/1). Besides,  he also witnessed the F-16 fighter aircraft maneuver  which secures the waters of Natuna in Ocean operations activity.  After witnessing the maneuver of the main equipment of both the sea and air weapons systems, Minister Mahfud MD was accompanied by Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Edi Prabowo along with entourage of TNI officers and the Indonesian Police conducted a limited meeting on the KRI. The limited meeting was also attended by  Acting Governor of Riau Islands, Isdianto and Natuna Regent, Abdul Hamid Rizal. Minister Mahfud MD in a press conference  explained that his visit to Natuna was related to efforts to improve security in northern Natuna waters.

“Firstly, Presidential Instruction is that the patrol volume is increased.  Symbolically, it has been shown the readiness of the patrol that passed before the gentlemen; there are so many ships. Then next, the government coordinates across ministries and across institutions as well as central relations with the regions related to the management of Natuna,” said mahfud MD.

In addition, Minister Mahfud MD also held dialogue with Natuna fishermen regarding with issues of the placement of north coast fishermen to Natuna waters. The dialogue with the fisherman representatives was held at the Lampa Strait Integrated Marine and Fisheries Center, Pulau Tiga District on Wednesday afternoon (15/1). In initiating the meeting with fishermen, the minister also reviewed the infrastructure of the Center for integrated Maritime and Fisheries and the fishery control ships. (Marjani-AF)

Jakarta - Minister of Health, Terawan Agus Putranto explained in Jakarta on Wednesday (01/15 that to anticipate the outbreak of severe pneumonia virus from China into Indonesia. The Indonesian government takes concrete and necessary efforts. The anticipation is done by increasing security at the entrances, both at the airport and seaport.  Although there has been no report of the virus infected the people, Minister Terawan said that his ministry has already have standard operational procedures to anticipate the virus to spread in Indonesia.

“We have started the movement for the alertness in all the entrances; both airports and seaports already stand by.  They use thermo scans, detector devices and so on. Particularly  to anticipate the entry of the virus that is now just spreading in Wuhan, and now there is  again in Thailand, the government has already been alert  and done the practices and  anticipated that if there is an incident, what needs to be done, all sides are holding the standard operational procedures (SOP)," said Terawan.

Furthermore, Minister Terawan Agus Putranto also explained that his side has also prepared a number of hospitals if the virus from China is found domestically. But, he keeps on appealing for preventive measures so that the severe pneumonia virus does not infect the people of Indonesia. (VOI/Ndy/TRANS: AF)

Indonesian researcher won the 2019 Newton Prize for research conducted in collaboration with British researcher that focused on protecting coastal communities from the impacts of climate change.

An association between Indonesian and UK scientists to better prepare coastal communities against the effects of climate change has won a share of the prestigious one million pound sterling Newton Prize.

The winner was announced at a reception in Jakarta on Tuesday (Jan 14), according to a written statement from the British Embassy in Jakarta received in Jakarta on Wednesday.

The project was co-led by Dr Harkunti Rahayu from the Institut Teknologi Bandung and Professor Richard Haigh from the University of Huddersfield.

The research was jointly funded by Indonesia and the United Kingdom through the Newton Fund, facilitated by the British Council and Indonesia's Ministry of Research and Technology.

Climate change is increasing the frequency and impact of extreme weather events, such as the recent devastating floods and tsunamis in Indonesia.

Along with a team of researchers, Dr Harkunti Rahayu and Professor Richard Haigh have devised a novel strategy to better protect homes, businesses, and infrastructure in coastal urban areas.

The team coalesced two distinct approaches – disaster risk reduction and climate change adaption – and came up with a new-fangled integrated strategy that can be incorporated into Indonesia’s development plan.

The researchers also assessed tsunami preparedness in Indonesia and other countries in the Indian Ocean, which informed of the work and priorities of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO and the Intergovernmental Coordination Group for Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning.

The research sets an example of how international cooperation on science and innovation can address key global challenges. Results of this research can be adapted for use in other countries and areas at risk, including in the UK.

Moreover, winning the prize will enable researchers to advance their work to the next level.

The Newton Fund builds research and innovation partnerships with 17 partner countries to support their economic development and social welfare as well as to develop their research and innovation capacity for long-term sustainable growth.

It has a total UK Government investment of 735 million pound sterling up until 2021, with matched resources from the partner countries.

The Newton Prize, launched in 2016 and part of the broader Newton Fund, will be annually awarded for the best research or innovation that promotes economic development and social welfare of Newton partner countries. (ANTARA)