Jakarta (VOI News) - The chart of COVID-19 cases in Mexico has not shown signs of declining, on the contrary, it continues to increase. Eva Triana Sari, Coordinator of the Social and Cultural Information Function of the Indonesian Embassy in Mexico City, Mexico, told Voice of Indonesia via telephone on Sunday (05/17), the Mexican Ministry of Health through a Press Briefing on Saturday (16/05) confirmed 47,144 positive cases and 5,045 deaths. The death rates in Mexico as of May 15, Eva Triana added, exceeded the mortality rate in China. Eva Triana Sari said there are three cities in Mexico that became the epicenter of COVID-19.

"The regions with the highest number of COVID-19 positive cases are first in CDMX, Ciudad de México with 13,076 cases, then the second is Estado de México with 7,892 cases, and the third is Baja (read: baya) California with 3,168 cases," said Eva Triana Sari.

Eva Triana Sari continued, of 47,144 positive cases in Mexico, to date only one Indonesian citizen is confirmed positive with COVID-19 and has been treated at a local hospital and is well monitored by the Indonesian Embassy in Mexico. (VOI / ADVENT / AHM)

Artist Yusuf Susilo Hartono held an online exhibition of his work in Jakarta on Friday (May 15, 2020). (ANTARA)

Artist Yusuf Susilo Hartono exhibited 70 of his sketches through online streaming on the YouTube account, Budaya Saya, on Friday in Jakarta.

The exhibition themed 'Move On' was curated by National Gallery curator Citra Smara Dewi. "The theme 'Move On' was chosen as it represented a number of different meanings, one of which, as a part of a visual expression, related to the spirit of movement dynamics," she explained.

She added that the sketches were a part of fine art that captures events, or momentum. The speed of the work is important in a sketch, she said.

She said Yusuf, who is also a journalist, sketches often, even when he is covering cultural events.

The chosen theme is associated with the hope and the challenge the COVID-19 pandemic will soon pass. “And, we can lead a better life," she said.

The exhibition featured 70 sketches that had been collected since 2002. A number of themes were raised, ranging from humanity, religion, to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Interestingly, Yusuf also raised the theme of women, who have always been an inspiration for artists. However, Yusuf described them as independent figures with a fighting spirit," she stated.

Yusuf's sketches were done using a variety of media, starting from ink, acrylic, oil pastel, soft pastel, charcoal, to Tanah Toraja coffee.

The exhibition was opened by the secretary of the Directorate General of Culture at the Ministry of Education and Culture, Sri Hartini, who expressed her appreciation of the artist, Yusuf Susilo Hartono.

"This is an extraordinary opportunity. We hope that this exhibition can serve as a good example, or encouragement for other artists to continue working even during the COVID-19 pandemic," she said. (ANTARA)

The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) highlighted that the daily nominal wages of national farm workers in April 2020 reached Rp55,318, a slight rise of 0.12 percent, from Rp55,254 per day in March 2020.

"The wages of national farm workers are stable and increased by 0.12 percent," BPS Head Suhariyanto remarked while holding an online press conference in Jakarta on Friday.

The BPS head believes this condition was influenced by the 0.11-percent inflation in villages in April 2020. Thus, the real wages of farm laborers tended to be stable.

Suhariyanto remarked that the daily nominal wages of construction workers (non-foremen) in April 2020 increased to Rp89,675, or a rise of 0.01 percent, from Rp89,666 per day in March 2020, while real wages decreased by 0.07 percent.

The average nominal wages of hairdressers in April 2020 increased by 0.21 percent to reach Rp28,607, from Rp28,547 in March 2020. The real wages of hairdressers in April 2020 rose by 0.13 percent, to Rp27,297, from Rp27,261 in March 2020.

Furthermore, the average nominal wages of household assistants in April 2020 rose by 0.01 percent, to Rp419,780, from Rp419,739 per month in March 2020. The real wages of household assistants in April 2020 decreased by 0.07 percent, to Rp400,820, as compared to that in March 2020. (ANTARA)

Acting Deputy for Investment Control to the BKPM Chief Farah Ratnadewi Indriani.

ANTARA/HO-BKPM/Indriani

West Java has drawn the highest foreign investment among six provinces in Java in the past five years, with investment totaling US$22.98 billion, according to the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM).

Coming second is Jakarta, attracting $17.89 billion of investment; Banten, $10.98 billion; Central Java, $8.82 billion; East Java, $6.04 billion; and Yogyakarta, $0.15 billion.

"Indeed, Java Island, particularly West Java, still holds special attraction for investors. After all, the BKPM will encourage equitable distribution of investment across Indonesia," acting deputy for investment control to the BKPM Chief Farah Indriani noted in a written statement released on Friday.

The BKPM remarked that investment in regions outside Java clocked notable growth in the past five years and inching nearer to that recorded in Java.

Foreign investment in Java Island until the third quarter of 2016 had reached $66.86 billion, while domestic investment amounted to Rp739.70 trillion (equivalent to $53.09 billion).

Over the period of five years, the ratio of investment in Java to that outside it had reached 55 percent to 45 percent of the total investment of Rp3,047.2 trillion.

However, based on data from the Command Center for Investment Operation and Control of BKPM, East Java was ranked first in terms of realized investment in the past five years, totaling $2.18 billion. (ANTARA)