VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Covid-19 transmission rate in Indonesia has yet to show signs of slowing down. Daily positive cases of the Covid-19 pandemic confirmed that the recent figures still show above 10,000 thousand people. Large-Scale Social Restrictions that were enforced in several areas and the Public Activity Restrictions which are currently still in effect seem unable to curb the spread of the Covid-19. To make it effective, the government will impose micro-scale restrictions starting on Tuesday (9/2).

President Joko Widodo when meeting Governors of Jakarta, West Java, Central Java, Yogyakarta and Bali last Wednesday (3/2) emphasized two things that were still lacking during the Public Activity Restrictions. First, it’s the implementation of health protocols in the community, namely the lack of discipline in wearing masks, maintaining distance and avoiding crowds and the second point is the testing, tracing, and treatment efforts by the government. President Joko Widodo emphasized that the contact tracing process must be carried out for at least 30 people who are suspected of having close contact with Covid-19 patients. Thereby, he has instructed to limit community activities at the micro level, namely at the village and neighborhood community levels.

This micro-based approach will involve the Covid-19 Task Force from the central to the smallest levels. To ensure community discipline, of course, it is necessary to enforce the law that involves security elements at the micro level, including the Village Guidance Officer.

Throughout the implementation of the Public Activity Restrictions on a micro scale, the government will pay attention to the needs of the community through micro-operations in 98 regions that implement Community Activity Restrictions. Each village will be encouraged to establish a Covid-19 response post which acts as a companion to the Community Health Center and a team to track the spread of the Covid-19. One of the post's duties is to supervise and deliver food to local residents who undergo self-isolation for 14 days.

The success of implementing the Micro-scale Restrictions Community Activities will certainly depend on community discipline and compliance. Unless, hopes to reduce the rate of spread of the Covid-19 will be in vain.

The move by the Russian government to arrest thousands of protesters demanding the release of opposition figure Alexei Navalny, drew reactions from the European Community and the United States.

To stop and anticipate wider protests, the Russian government has taken firm steps to arrest and detain at least 5 thousand protesters on Sunday, January 31, 2021. The cold weather and heavy snow did not dampen the morale of the citizens of Moscow and other cities in Russia. They took to the streets asking the government to release Alexei Navalny, an opposition figure who is not afraid to criticize President Vladimir Putin's policies. Alexei Navalny, just returned to Moscow after recuperating in Berlin. Last summer, the critic of Putin's policies traveled to Berlin, Germany for treatment due to suspected poisoning by the nerve agent Novichok. Russian authorities have denied the allegations. But when Navalny returned to Moscow after nearly half a year of recovering, the police arrested and jailed him. Thousands of supporters and sympathizers immediately protested against Navalny's arrest by taking to the streets across Russia, until the police dispersed and arrested them. It was reported that the prison was full because of the mass arrests and detentions that were carried out.

The chaos in Russia has drawn reactions from both the United States and the European Community. Antony Blinken, Biden's new US Foreign Minister, has expressed deep concern. Blinken is concerned about the arrest of the Russian opposition figure which has been followed by the detention and arrest of protesters. As Minister of the Democratic Party Government, Blinken views the detention of Alexei Navalny and the arrest of thousands of protesters as concerning from a human rights perspective.

Like the United States, the European Union has also raised concerns over the actions of Russian police. The European Union Foreign Ministers, on Monday 24 January 2021, met and discussed Novolny's and thousands of Russian citizens arrest. European Union officials have stressed that they are not only paying attention, but also worrying about the incident, partly because Russia is Europe's close neighbor. Vladimir Putin's repressive actions could have an impact like the arrival of refugees from Russia to European countries which will cause new problems and difficulties.

The United States criticism   towards the arrest of Russian opposition figures and the detention of thousands of supporters could be the beginning of a possible change in policy in bilateral relations between the two countries. Meanwhile, the European Union's reaction to what happened last weekend in Russia might trigger tensions in diplomatic relations between the two.

Whether Vladimir Putin will stick with his moves and policies towards Navalny remains to be seen in the near future.

Indonesia calls for a dialogue approach over the political situation in Myanmar

Indonesia asked the involved parties in the current political situation in Myanmar to control and call for a dialogue approach, after military coup and the detention of civilian government leaders. The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in an official statement on Monday (1/2) stated that Indonesia urged all parties in Myanmar to control and prioritize a dialogue in finding out a solution from the various challenges and problems so that the situation is not getting worse.

As reported by Reuters.com, the military arrested Myanmar leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, President Win Myint and a number of other political leaders from the National League for Democracy (NLD) party in the raid on Monday. The military authority announced that the governmental power has been transferred to the Chief of the armed forces, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, along with the detention of political figures that was said as a response over last year's election fraud.

Moreover, Indonesia also expressed deep concern over the political developments in Myanmar and underlined that the disputes related to the results of the general election can be overcome by the available legal mechanisms. Besides, Indonesia appealed to Myanmar to implement the principles of the ASEAN Charter, including being committed to laws and running good governance based on democracy and constitution.

This tourism destination is appropriate for you to eagerly stimulate your adrenaline. To visit this tourism attraction, you can go along Kali Pusur through river tubing. The tourism of Kali Pusur River Moon is located in the northern area of Klaten downtown, exactly in Karanglo, Polanharjo, Klaten, Central Java. To reach the tourism location is quite easy. It takes only 30 minutes from Klaten downtown by motorcycle.  

You can follow a river with clear water for two kilometres at the Kali Pusur tourism attraction.   There are two types of entrance ticket prices for rafting, namely for beginners more or less 300 meters distance is IDR 15,000 to IDR 25,000 per person and for a distance of two kilometres priced at IDR 40,000 per person. In the river which has water directly from the spring on Mount Merapi, you can follow the clarity of the river water using tires and you are guided by professional tour guides. Besides getting security facilities, you will also get drinking water, snacks, and a pick-up car.

In addition to providing Kali Pusur river tubing tour, River Moon Kali Pusur also provides outbound, camping, and fun game facilities.  Even, this tourism location is often used as a venue to hold wedding receptions. It also provides various facilities which consists of a gazebo, an outbound area, a bathroom, a camping area, skill games area, catering as well as top instructors.