VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

In less than two months, the South Jakarta Metropolitan Police's anti-drug squad has apprehended seven suspected drug dealers who may belong to big syndicates around South Jakarta and Bogor, West Java.

The suspects supplied marijuana and crystal methamphetamine to those who ordered the illicit drug packages from their drug rings, Head of the South Jakarta Metropolitan Police's Narcotics Department Adjunct Sen. Coms. Vivick Tjangkung said Thursday.

Several dealers of marijuana, arrested on January 13, 2020, may belong to an Aceh drug ring because the way they packed the drug was similar to that of the Aceh drug ring.

Regarding the trafficking activities of crystal meth, many dealers committed their criminal acts in Tebet's area, Tjangkung said.

The police recently confiscated 5.5 kg of marijuana from four suspects only identified by their initials SR, FA, AS, and FS alias Feby. The police also seized 69.02 grams of crystal meth from five suspects -- IKC, HHA alias Helmi, A alias Adong, OK, and RA.

The average ages of those suspected drug dealers were between 21 and 40 years. They were jobless, and had been regularly involved in the drug trade, he added.

Indonesia remains under serious threat from drug dealers, as several individuals from its working-age population have been trapped in a vicious circle.

The National Narcotics Agency's (BNN's) report that some 50 Indonesians die of drug use every day has not yet deterred drug users in the country from consuming these banned substances.

The users of crystal methamphetamine, narcotics, marijuana, and other types of addictive drugs are from any community and from distinct socio-economic and cultural backgrounds.

Among the drug users are also entertainers. Over the past three years, at least 12 entertainers have been apprehended for drug offences. They are Ammar Zoni, Rio Reifan, Roro Fitria, Fachri Albar, Fariz RM, Jennifer Dunn, Steve Emmanuel, Zul Zivilia, Jefri Nichol, Tri Retno Prayudati alias Nunung Srimulat, Nanie Darham, and Lucinta Luna.

Therefore, Indonesia is perceived by both domestic and transnational drug dealers as a potential market due to its huge population and millions of drug users. The value of the drug trade in the country is estimated to have reached nearly least Rp66 trillion.(ANTARA)

Indonesia's rupiah continued to drop by 20 points, or 0.15 percent, to Rp13,694 against the United States dollar on Thursday evening, while this morning it was recorded at Rp13,684 against the dollar.

"Markets have been concerned over the large number of casualties of the coronavirus," PT TRFX Garuda Berjangka Director, Ibrahi Assuaibi, said in Jakarta.

On Wednesday, China's authority updated the total number of casualties in Mainland China, which has reached 1,367, while the number of people who have been infected also climbed to 14,840 people.

Throughout the day, the rupiah moved within the range of Rp13,672 against the dollar to Rp13,707.

Meanwhile, according to Bank Indonesia's exchange rate, the rupiah plunged Rp13,679 against the dollar this morning, while the day before, it was recorded at Rp13,659. (ANTARA)

 The Indonesian composite index (IHSG) of the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) closed lower 41.13 points, or 0.7 percent, to 5,871.95, on Thursday evening amid the coronavirus outbreak in the past weeks in more than 25 countries outside mainland China.

In the meantime, the index of the 45 most liquid stocks, or LQ45, also plunged 6.77 points, or 0.7 percent, to 954.21.

"The market remains nervous over the outbreak, while on the domestic front, there has been no positive catalyst and the trade volume has been slightly down," Indopremier Securities analyst, Mino, said in Jakarta.

Despite the drop, Indonesia's composite index opened higher 8.83 points (0.15 percent higher), this morning, but an hour after the market opened, it dropped to the red zone throughout the day.

Before the closing, IDX recorded a net foreign buy at Rp49.43 billion, while 426,166 transactions of 6.17 billion stocks worth Rp6.81 trillion were traded today on the stock market.

Meanwhile, the regional markets that dropped this evening comprised Nikkei plunging 33.5 points, or 0.14 percent, to 23,827.7; Hang Seng index depreciating 93.7 points, or 0.34 percent to 27,730; and Straits Times index declining by 3.28 points, or 0.1 percent, to 3,220.09. (ANTARA)

South Sumatera expressed its readiness to host the FIFA U-20 World Cup because it has international standard match facilities. South Sumatera also had experience in hosting various international sports championships, South Sumatera Governor Herman Deru stated in Palembang, Wednesday.

"The Government of South Sumatera was committed and ready to host FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2021," he said.

South Sumatera also prepared to synergize with the central government for allocation of funds to comply with the required standards set by Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) and the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA).

"We can complete the infrastructure in one or two months," the governor said.

South Sumatera proved its commitment since the provincial government had signed an agreement as a host with PSSI at Griya Agung.

The chairman of PSSI Mochamad Iriawan visited South Sumatera to check the facility owned by its city as a host candidate.

PSSI would check the whole sporting area in Jakabaring Palembang in case any shortcomings needed to be followed up. PSSI also checked five more support stadiums.

PSSI would check the main stadium, accommodation, medical, hotel stadium distance and the distance of the stadium from the training areas.

There were 11 regions and there would be six chosen to host the U-20 World Cup. (ANTARA)