Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi. (ANTARA_

Jakarta - The Indonesian Government dispatched an evacuation team to Yokohama, Japan, to repatriate 68 Indonesians employed as cabin crew members of the Diamond Princess cruise ship.

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi bore witness to the departure of 23 evacuation team members at the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten Province, on Friday.

“The health condition of all of our citizens working as cabin crew at the Diamond Princess has thoroughly been examined. They have tested negative for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Hence, we send an evacuation team to pick them up," she remarked.

The evacuation team members boarded a Garuda Indonesia aircraft scheduled to take off on Friday at 4 p.m. Western Indonesia Time (WIB). It was scheduled to arrive at the Haneda International Airport on Saturday at 1 a.m. local time.

Shortly after their arrival at the Haneda International Airport, they would then pick up the 68 Indonesians to be airlifted. Their aircraft would arrive in Indonesia on March 1 at around 6 p.m. local time.

However, Marsudi steered clear from speaking about the city where the aircraft would land and disembark the evacuees.

The minister confirmed that two Indonesians had opted to stay at the Diamond Princess to continue working as the cruise ship's crew members. Thus, only 68 Indonesians will be airlifted from Japan.

The evacuation team members comprise representatives of related ministries and agencies, including the Indonesian Defence Force and National Police, Social Affairs Ministry, Transportation Ministry, and Legal and Human Rights Ministry.

The Indonesian government continues to claim that Indonesia remains free from confirmed COVID-19 cases.

However, a report released by the United Nations' World Health Organization as of February 25, 2020, noted that globally, there are 81,109 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with the addition of 871 new cases, including 459 new cases in 37 countries outside China and 412 new cases in China.

Among the countries reporting confirmed COVID-19 cases are nations with Muslim-majority populations, including the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, Iraq, Iran, Kuwait, Bahrain, Afghanistan, Oman, Egypt, and India.

On Feb 2, the Government of Indonesia had airlifted 238 Indonesians from Wuhan, China, which is believed to be the epicenter of this deadly virus since the end of 2019. They were then quarantined for 14 days in Natuna District, Riau Islands Province.

An Indonesian naval ship has also sent 188 Indonesians, the World Dream liner's crew, who were repatriated from the international waters near the Indonesian islands of Bintan on Sunday to a small island of Jakarta's Thousand Islands District for quarantine. (ANTARA)

Jakarta (VOI News) - President Joko Widodo received a visit from former British Prime Minister, Toni Blair and SoftBank CEO, Masayoshi Son at the State Palace in Jakarta, Friday (02/28/2020). Before sharing discussion among the delegation and the government, President Joko Widodo first invited Toni Blair, who served as Executive Chairman of the Toni Blair Institute for Global Change and Masayoshi Son to have a relaxed conversation on the veranda of the State Palace in Jakarta. President Joko Widodo welcomed the arrival of the two world leaders who will be involved in the construction of Indonesia's new capital.

"Welcome to Indonesia Mr. Toni Blair and Mr. Masayoshi Son with the delegation. I am pleased to receive your visit to further discuss the development plan for Indonesia's new capital city. Thank you for accepting the offer to advisory both members on the relocation of the capital city. I'm sure this strong cooperation will further support the establishment of the modern and environmentally friendly capital city," said Joko Widodo.

After meeting President Joko Widodo, Toni Blair said that he appreciated President Joko Widodo's vision of the existence of a new capital. He will try to cooperate with the best people to be involved in the construction of the new capital.

"Part of the reason, whatever it is so that you create something that is absolutely and identifiably the capital for Indonesia but it is also somewhere where people from around the world want to contribute because they see this as an exciting project," Presiden Joko Widodo added.

Meanwhile, SoftBank CEO, Masayoshi Son stated that his side is in the process of investing in the construction of Indonesia's new capital. Even though it is still in process, Masayoshi Son said that until now, the talks have been going well.

"As it comes to investment, we have to always look at the total picture. What is the risk? What is the excitement? We have to look at the total balance. So we have discussed all kind of planning. What is the total amount of capital we need? What is the design of the city? What is the population? What are the basic rules and regulations? So we have to look at the total picture. At the end with the total picture, we decide how much, from which entity. But so far the discussion is going into the right direction, very exciting and good direction," said Masayoshi Son.

Previously it was reported that President Joko Widodo had invited 3 international figures as the Steering Board for the construction of the new capital. The three were Abu Dhabi Crown Prince, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, CEO of SoftBank, Masayoshi Son and former British Prime Minister, Toni Blair. The selection of these figures is expected to be able to build international trust making it easier for Indonesia to carry out various collaborations related to the new capital development. (VOI/Ndy-Wen/AHM)

Jakarta - Secretary General of Rabithah Al Alam Al Islami or Muslim World League (MWL) Syekh Muhamad bin Abdul Karim Al Issa has thrown his weight behind Indonesian Islamic organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU)'s peace and harmonization mission at local and global levels.

"God willing, Rabithah Al Alam Al Islami will support NU's steps to harmonize the world, not only at a national level but also at an international level," .Syekh Muhammad said while visiting the NU Central Executive Board in Jakarta on Thursday. .

Syekh Muhammad said he was impressed by the development of Islam in Indonesia which is very peaceful because it is able to harmonize between religion and nationalism.

Indonesia is able to set an example for other Muslim countries to keep the balance between religion and nationalism in a harmonious way, he said.

"This is thanks to the foundations of the Indonesian state, the Indonesian government and the Indonesian community that have good conduct and culture particularly thanks to NU which always struggles to disseminate Islam with peace, regards, brotherhood, far from radicalism, extremism, and far from all of these. Let us continue these all," he said.

NU General Chairman KH Said Aqil Siroj warmly welcomed Syekh Muhamad's visit to the NU Central Executive Board.

During the visit, KH Said Aqil Siroj and Syekh Muhamad discussed the latest dynamics of Islam.

"We discussed what is true Islam. Islam is a religion of mercy and peace. It is not a religion which teaches radicalism and hatred," he said.

MWL is an international non-governmental Islamic organization based in Makkah. Its goal is to clarify the true message of Islam. (ANTARA)

The Indonesian Navy's amphibious force command (Kopaska) is conducting water patrolling around Sebaru Kecil Island, Kepulauan Seribu District, where 188 Indonesian citizens working on the World Dream ship, are being quarantined over coronavirus prevention.

Water patrol was conducted during the observation process for the next 14 days, Commander of the Fleet Command I's Kopaska Marine Colonel Johan Wahyudi stated at the Lipan Island pier here on Friday.

Johan stated that the patrol was conducting round the clock to ensure that all circumstances and the environment were safe in accordance with the orders of Commander of the Joint Regional Defense Command (Pangkogabwilhan) I Vice Admiral Yudo Margono.

"In the event of undesirable circumstances, we can take action as soon as possible," Wahyudi stated.

Indonesian warship KRI Dr. Soeharso-990, with 188 Indonesian crew members of the World Dream cruise aboard, is scheduled to arrive on Sebaru Island on Friday at 2 p.m. local time. The 188 crew comprises 172 men and 16 women.