President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) urged teenage officers, who graduated from the Police and Military Academy in 2019, to follow and stay abreast of swift scientific and technological developments, particularly pertaining to the military and police.

"You must follow and pursue the era of development," President Jokowi noted at the inauguration of the 2019 young officers at the yard of Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday.

The head of state pointed to wide-ranging developments in strategy, tactics, doctrine, and the weapons system in the military world.

Police officers are also required to adopt more sophisticated means and approaches in combating digital crimes, enforcing the law, maintaining security and order, ensuring protection, and offering service to the people.

"Everything must be handled with a swift response. All must be faced with a smart response," he emphasized.

The president stated that the 4.0 Industrial Revolution has given birth to several new-fangled technologies that are transforming the way of living of members of the international community, while social media has changed the way people communicate and interact.

"There are good effects, but there are also many risks. Advanced robotics and artificial intelligence have made it easier for us in many ways, including in the military and police. However, simultaneously, it also gives rise to new types of crimes that are our shared challenges," he pointed out.

The former Jakarta governor remarked that today's world is marked by widespread disruption, changes, and risks.

"The world is complex and full of surprises that are often far and beyond our calculations. Once again, speed, complexity, and unpredictability are new features of the international world that are changing today," he stated.

He reminded the young officers of the challenges and problems that have evolved significantly, thereby necessitating a change in tactics and strategies in handling them. We can no longer continue using the old ways and models.

"We are left with no other choice but to be fast, flexible, and smart. We must further master science and technology," he stated.

The president emphasized that all must be dealt with in a smart, precise, and professional manner, with mastery gained in science and technology.

"Hence, you are an important part of Indonesia's great quality human resources to build a sovereign and dignified Indonesia," Jokowi affirmed.  (ANTARA)

The Palembang municipal administration in South Sumatra, Sumatra Island, has explored sister-city ties with Houston, Texas, the United States, and suggested forging cooperation in the areas of tourism, education, health, culture, and urban planning. 

"We are keen to have in place exchange programs involving experts, paramedics, students, and manpower to enhance the quality of human resources in Palembang," Harrey Hadi, head of the Palembang development planning office, remarked in Palembang, South Sumatra, on Tuesday.

Palembang has put forth a suggestion of establishing a Palembang Corner in Houston City to help promote tourism in Palembang.

Hadi is upbeat about Houston offering a program that can help improve the quality of teachers and doctors of Palembang, so they can match up to the global competency standard.

"Education and health services in Houston are highly advanced in several aspects, and it would be wonderful if there were to be a transfer of knowledge," he stated.

Speaking in connection with the cultural field, Hadi suggested that it would be an interesting if a study and seminar were to be held in Palembang, the country's oldest city, and particularly centering on life around Musi River.

Palembang is also ready to send traditional artists to perform in Houston, he noted.

Hadi also expressed hope to establish cooperation in the areas of water management and waste treatment, as Houston is highly advanced in those areas.

Palembang will give a presentation on sister-city ties and potential cooperation with Houston next week, he revealed.

Hadi is also upbeat about attracting investors to Palembang, the second-largest city on Sumatra Island.

Palembang's Human Development Index is recorded at 77.2 percent, while it clocked an economic growth rate of 6.15 percent in 2018, or surpassing the national average index and growth rate.  (ANTARA)

A Rapid Reaction Team of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has been deployed in the earthquake-affected area in South Halmahera District, Acting Head of Information Data Center and Public Relations of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), Agus Wibowo, said.

"The Rapid Reaction Team has arrived in Ternate. The team used a motorboat to get to the affected location," Agus Wibowo said during a press conference in Jakarta, Monday. BNPB also dispatched an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle team to the disaster area to monitor the impact and damage caused by the earthquake.

The location of the disaster is an archipelago consisting of several islands making it quite difficult to handle and collect data on the damage.

"Since Sunday night (July 14), the regional government along with the Indonesian National Armed Force/Indonesian National Police and related agencies have handled refugees, collected and installed tents, and organized the distribution of aid," he said.

The Communication Forum for the Regional Leaders of South Halmahera District has established a post in Labuha City, the capital of South Halmahera District.

The South Halmahera District Government has set up an emergency response status for seven days that will end on Sunday, July 21.

South Halmahera District was hit by an earthquake measuring 7.2 on the Richter Scale at a depth of 10 kilometers under sea level, 62 kilometers northeast of Labuha, North Maluku.

The earthquake occurred on Sunday, July 14, at 16.10 Western Indonesian Time at the coordinates of 0.59 degrees South Latitude and 128.06 degrees East Longitude.

The earthquake that occurred was a shallow one due to the Sorong-Bacan fault activity. The results of the analysis of the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) showed that the earthquake was generated by a rock deformation with a horizontal movement structure. (ANTARA)

The trend of non-communicable disease in Indonesia has increased based on the Public Health Development Index (IPKM) issued by the Research and Development Center of the Health Ministry. The negative growth of sub-index of non-communicable diseases in 2018 compared to 2013 has shown that the health levels of Indonesians have shown a decline every year, Health Minister Nila Moeloek said here Monday.

"This is a double burden. It means that if we do nothing, the data at the center has shown that non-communicable diseases will increase," Moeloek said after the launching of the IPKM.

Based on the index, none of the non-communicable disease sub-indexes in 34 provinces have shown a good rank. Although, in general, the national index has increased.

IPKM is the result of an assessment of 30 indicators categorized in seven sub-index for each province, such as toddlers' health, reproduction health, health-concerning behavior, health service, and environmental health.

Of those sub-indexes, only non-communicable disease has shown a worsening trend.

Non-communicable diseases could be prevented by adopting a healthier style by consuming balanced food, consuming more fruits and vegetables, exercising, and having routine medical checkups, Moeloek said.

"The IPKM has shown bad results in all provinces. It means that it has become a national problem, our problem. We will ask for provincial intervention surely," the minister said, adding that the government would also need the public to improve their lifestyle. (ANTARA)