VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Chairman of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), Laksamana Tri Handoko during a Forum Group Discussion on National Research Priority of Health and Drugs 2020-2024 in West Java, Thursday (12/3/2020). ANTARA

The Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) projects shifts and new-fangled business models in the new normal, so as to facilitate people in conducting their businesses whilst settling to coexist with the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

"We also ponder over how we can support changes and business models," Laksana Tri Handoko, the institute’s chairman, stated during a webinar titled “Indonesia's Technology and Innovation in the face of COVID-19” in Jakarta, Tuesday.

Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) had become one of the sectors bearing the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to sustain in such a challenging scenario, the MSME business models should capitalize on the apt technologies, either existing ones or those that can be developed further.

The pertinent technology can take shape in the form of packaging of local food products and diversification of existing products.

During the enactment of Large-Scale Social Restrictions (PSBB), customers are unable to eat at restaurants or cafes. MSME business makers that earlier sold their food only at cafes and restaurants can migrate to package them to be sold in to-go packaging, such as cans, for being shipped to areas across Indonesia.

Handoko stated that the spread of COVID-19 had resulted in the most popular restaurants shutting down, and even if they are open, they are receiving significantly fewer customers.

Packaging food and diversifying products can unveil market opportunities and can potentially boost revenue for MSME businesses.

For instance, the meat-based dish empal gentong popular in Cirebon, West Java, can be packaged in cans and sold in the nationwide market.

In terms of product diversification, diners that initially only sold riced corn can start producing corn- or cassava-based noodles. The products can then be packaged properly and sent to different areas in the country and sold within networks. (ANTARA)

Indonesia’s coronavirus case count has shot up to 18,496 as of Tuesday, with 4,467 people recovering from the virus and 1,221 people succumbing to it, according to Achmad Yurianto, the government's spokesperson for COVID-19 response.

"Let's take a broad look, (we can see) that transmission is still happening," Yurianto said at a press conference held by the Task Force for the Acceleration of COVID-19 Response on Tuesday at Graha BNPB in Jakarta.

Since Monday noon, Indonesia has added 486 new confirmed cases, bringing the total to 18,496 cases. Coronavirus infections have been reported across 390 districts and cities in 34 provinces in the country.

Meanwhile, the number of people recovering from the novel coronavirus disease has increased by 143 on Tuesday, Yurianto stated.

In addition, the task force has recorded 30 new deaths, which have raised the death toll to 1,221.

According to Yurianto, the government has tested 202,936 specimens using real-time PCR (polymerase chain reaction) and molecular rapid tests (TCM).

So far, Indonesia has placed 45,300 people under monitoring (ODP) and 11,891 patients under surveillance (PDP), according to the latest data provided by the COVID-19 task force.

Yurianto said the government will soon complete laboratory examinations to confirm the status of the PDPs.

He urged the public to comply with health protocols to reduce the rate of novel coronavirus transmission.

"In fact, the impact (of COVID-19 has been felt) not only in community groups, but many health workers have also been affected," Yurianto, concurrently the director general of Disease Prevention and Control (P2P) of the Ministry of Health, noted.

He conveyed the government's condolences over the death of several health workers who contracted the disease in the past few days.

He urged community members to strengthen their commitment to take steps to reduce the number of COVID-19 infections.

Yurianto also called on concerned parties to cooperate simultaneously and continuously to break the chain of COVID-19 transmission. (ANTARA)

Archive photo: Minister of Religious Affairs, Fachrul Razi (middle), Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs, Zainut Tauhid (left), and director general of Islamic Community Guidance, Kamaruddin Amir (right). (ANTARA FOTO/HO-Ministry of Religious Affairs-ROMADANYL)

Minister of Religious Affairs, Fachrul Razi, has asked people to heed the government's appeal to not return to their hometowns and to spend Eid al-Fitr at home to minimize the risk of COVID-19 spread.

"Do not go to your hometowns, carry out your Eid prayers at home, and celebrate at home. Maintain communication via social media and keep (following) health protocols," he requested citizens on Tuesday in Jakarta, after attending a virtual meeting on the preparations for this year's Eid al-Fitr.

The ministry had issued an appeal on May 12, 2020, with regard to the celebration of Eid al-Fitr for the year 1441 of the Islamic calendar.


The minister said he believes that, at the moment, it would not be possible to relax restrictions on social and religious activities as it is feared that could lead to a surge in coronavirus cases.

Therefore, he appealed to citizens to comply with government regulations on preventing COVID-19 spread by refraining from organizing religious activities involving large congregations, including the Eid prayers.

"We should obey Law number 6 of 2018 regarding local quarantine, restrictions on religious activities, (prayers) to be carried out at home," he urged.

"The threat of COVID-19 must not interfere with the celebration of the day of victory. Do not forget to share your care with those who are less fortunate,” he added. (ANTARA)

Screen capture photo of Denni P. Purbasari, the executive director of Pre-Employment Card program management, during a virtual discussion held in Jakarta, Tuesday, May 19, 2020. (ANTARA)

Some 680 thousand are currently listed for the Pre-Employment Card Program, a cumulative figure of three terms since mid-April, with the forth term opening shortly, Denni P. Purbasari, program's management’s executive director, stated in Jakarta, Tuesday.

"All the 680 thousand participants had received program funding of Rp3,550,000 (some US$240) through each virtual bank account. Of this figure, over 300 thousand had also received the monthly incentive of Rp600,000 after the training," Purbasari highlighted during a virtual discussion held in Jakarta on Tuesday.

The incentive will only be given to participants on completion of the training session, comprising some skill-based virtual trainings that they choose from over a thousand trainings in various topics available.

As per Tuesday, some 10.4 million people have enrolled for this program. However, people, who could pass to participate, are automatically selected by machine alignment with the program's priority. Hence, those not listed may wait until the next term opens.

"Fellow friends, who could not make it (to join the program) now, please be patient, as we continue to open next batches through November," Purbasari stressed.

Purbasari highlighted the need to suspend the forth term for a while owing to system issues as well as to spare some time for employees hit hard by the outbreak, as they should be prioritized in line with the government's suggestion.

However, Purbasari has vowed that the fourth term will open after this Ramadan season. (ANTARA)