VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Director General of Human Settlement at the Public Works and Public Housing Ministry Diana Kusumastuti and Solo Mayor Gibran Rakabuming Raka visit Legi Market in Solo City, Central Java Province, on January 15, 2022. (ANTARA/HO-Solo City Government/uyu) - 

The Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Ministry remains committed to accommodating the traders’ suggestions regarding the arrangement of Legi Market, Solo City, Central Java Province, scheduled to be inaugurated in January 2022.

"The merchants complained about the exhaust fans. Initially, the fans were installed since the center area of the market was a bit hot," Director General of Human Settlement at the ministry Diana Kusumastuti stated during her visit to the market on Saturday.

However, several traders reported that their activities were disturbed by the loud sounds of the fans, she noted.

"We will solve the problem later. We will create a more conducive environment for them," she remarked.

Another issue raised pertained to raindrops entering the kiosks through the building’s large vents.

The director general noted that it is natural for the rainwater to enter the kiosks since the market applied the green building concept that necessitated proper air circulation through the vents.

"We will find a solution to prevent the rain drops from entering while still allowing the circulation of air," she affirmed.

Furthermore, Kusumastuti noted that despite work on the market being fully completed, her side will continue to monitor management of the market.

"The building must be safe and clean. Cleanliness is important because if the market is dirty, it will become a slum. I call on the local government to urge the traders to be heedful to it, so that the market can be neater," Kusumastuti stressed.

According to the director general, the market will be inaugurated on January 20, 2022, though she could not as yet confirm who will officiate the market.

Meanwhile, Solo Mayor Gibran Rakabuming Raka confirmed that the traders had reached a common consensus on the location of their stalls.

"We have entered the building to check the complaints. We have accommodated all of them. Regarding the issue of exhaust fans and raindrops trickling into the kiosks, we will fix it later," he added//ANT

An art performance enlivens the opening of Borobudur Edupark in Magelang district on Saturday (January 15, 2022). (ANTARA/Heru Suyitno/KT) - 

Borobudur Edupark, a destination promoting education and art on Magelang-Yogyakarta Road in Central Java, has opened for visitors.

Following its inauguration on Monday (January 9, 2022) by Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo, the Edupark is ready to welcome tourists, Borobudur Edupark director and sculptor, I Nyoman Alim Mustapha, said here on Saturday.

Some religious leaders, tourism business players, and stakeholders, as well as the president director of PT TWC, the state company that manages popular destinations such as Prambanan Temple and Ratu Boko, also attended the opening.

The price of admission to Borobudur Edupark has been set at Rp30 thousand for adults and Rp20 thousand for children and students, Mustapha said. However, during the soft opening, the park is offering promotional tickets priced at Rp25 thousand for adults and Rp15 thousand for children and students, he added.

The Edupark, which includes the Unique Gallery of Borobudur Art (GUSBI), is expected to grow and develop the tourism industry as well as provide new insights and benefits to the tourism sector, Mustapha remarked. 

Meanwhile, PT TWC president director Edy Setijono said that the Borobudur Temple is not a mere grandiose monument, but also a center for knowledge.

"Today, we see Mr. Mustapha and his team at Nakula Sadewa creating a creative work that is inspired by Borobudur. Mustapha has produced an appreciative work domestically and internationally," Setijono added.

He also expressed the hope that more figures like Mustapha would emerge from the Borobudur area.

"Borobudur must be a real opportunity for the nation and people with different expertise," he said.

Borobudur Edupark showcases the work of Mustapha, a Balinese sculptor who has long settled in Magelang district.

His sculptures are world-known and have featured at the Miniature of Borobudur Temple in South Africa, Pairi Daiza Zoo in Belgium, Minimundus Amusement Park in Austria, Wat Khao Sukim Temple in Thailand, Venlo in the Netherlands, and many other sites.

A workshop on constructing four iconic gates to the Borobudur area can also be observed at Borobudur Edupark, Mustapha said//ANT

Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno takes a selfie with millenials on the "Netes Business Incubation: HR Development" discussion. and Opportunities for Economic Acceleration in the Metaverse Era" at Cafe Netes, Sleman, DIY, Friday (14/1/2022) - 

Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno invites the younger generation, especially the millennial generation as well as generation Z to increase competence so that they are able to take opportunities in the metaverse era which is full of new opportunities in accelerating the economy, especially in the tourism and creative economy sectors.

"We just had a discussion with millennial generation friends, generation Z discussed the metaverse which we believe is an opportunity that we can use for economic revival and opening up job opportunities," said Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno during the "Netes Business Incubation: HR Development" discussion. and Opportunities for Economic Acceleration in the Metaverse Era" at Cafe Netes, Sleman, DIY, Friday (14/1/2022).

Metaverse is a virtual world where users can shop, socialize, take part in activities, trade, recreation, and learn in it.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Sunday (16/01/22), through the Metaverse, entrepreneurs can unlock limitless opportunities to earn a lot of profit in ways never before imagined. For players in the creative industry, especially digital, design, and games, this will be a wide open field to seize many opportunities.

Seeing that Indonesia's human resources are dominated by productive age, the metaverse era can be a place and opportunity for economic acceleration.

"As many as 23 million jobs may be replaced, but there are 46 million new jobs, especially those related to artificial intelligence, blockchains with virtual reality and augmented reality, as well as other innovations," said Sandiaga.

"This is the beginning of a revival, we must move with the right target, right benefits, and on time so that what our millennial friends want is to host them in their own country," said Sandiaga.

He hopes that discussion rooms like this can continue to be presented so that they can become a space for discussion and creation that is full of innovation and creativity.

On that occasion, Menparekraf Sandiaga also mentioned "Coffee in the Sky", a destination that had gone viral in recent times. However, by the Regional Government of DIY, the ride that invites visitors to enjoy coffee and other dishes from a height by riding a gondola that is hung using a crane was temporarily stopped by the Provincial Government of DIY for safety reasons. Including the absence of an operational permit.

"The results of the temporary review carried out by the K3 team, still need improvement and we fully support them so that they prioritize safety and also CHSE certification. After they have fulfilled the security and safety aspects, of course also in the framework of integrated CHSE with PeduliLindung," said Sandiaga.

"We will certainly coordinate, provide facilitation. And hopefully if all of these are met, then it can operate," said Sandiaga//VOI-NK

Minister of Health (Menkes) Budi G. Sadikin, Deputy Minister of Health (Wamenkes) Dante Saksono Harbuwono, and the Coordinator of the Covid-19 Task Force Expert Team Prof. Wiku Adisasmito, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Menko Marves) discuss the omicron increase cases in Indonesia - 

Together with the Minister of Health (Menkes) Budi G. Sadikin, Deputy Minister of Health (Wamenkes) Dante Saksono Harbuwono, and the Coordinator of the Covid-19 Task Force Expert Team Prof. Wiku Adisasmito, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Menko Marves) held a dialogue with epidemiologists, health experts, doctors, and social experts from various educational and research institutions in Indonesia. The purpose of this virtual activity on Friday (14-01-2022) is to get the best input in dealing with the Omicron variant that has entered Indonesia.

The focus of the discussion is on handling when a spike occurs and after a spike occurs.

"From various studies given to me by fellow epidemiologists and doctors, we know that this Omicron variant spreads very quickly, but is less severe or not severe, although there are mortality rates in several countries but the numbers are quite low from this variant. Even so, we want us to reduce the spike in confirmed cases and what are our efforts after the Omicron spike," said Coordinating Minister Luhut when opening the discussion.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Sunday (16/01/22), in the last few weeks, it was discovered that the Omicron Variant in Indonesia came from Overseas Travelers (PPLN). So far, more than 500 positive confirmed cases of the Omicron variant have been detected in Indonesia, especially in the DKI Jakarta area and local transmission has occurred. Therefore, definite steps are needed regarding this matter.

"Local transmission has occurred and DKI Jakarta is the cluster of transmission, for that we need to coordinate with local governments regarding mobility restrictions and also be accompanied by strengthening health protocols, booster vaccines, and health service facilities," explained Minister of Health, Budi advised.

Adding, Deputy Minister of Health Dante, said the need for re-administration of drug packages for patients with mild, moderate, and severe symptoms. "We will prepare this medicine package soon. The existence of this drug package is intended for people who are asymptomatic and have mild symptoms, this is intended to reduce the number of hospitalizations in various hospitals in Indonesia," said Deputy Minister of Health Dante.

On the same occasion, the Coordinator of the Covid-19 Task Force Expert Team Wiku Adisasmito also commented on the strategy to be used. The focus is related to tightening PPLN coming to Indonesia. “For PPLN, they will be quarantined for 7 days after they arrive. During this quarantine, they will be tested by PCR and must be completely safe before entering the community," he said.

In this discussion, one of the experts, Amin Soebandrio from the Eijkman Institute, stated that Indonesia is entering a transition period in handling Covid-19 from the Delta variant to the Omicron. According to him, monitoring at the molecular level needs to be sharpened considering that many things are not known about this variant.

"Until now this Omicron is still being studied, the speed of transmission is fast. Although this is a different variant of Delta with a mortality rate that is still not there, but we need to continue to anticipate the various possibilities that can occur," he said.

Regarding this new variant of Omicron, there has been a significant increase. Epidemiologist from the Faculty of Medicine (FK) Gadjah Mada University (UGM) Hari Kusnanto from Epidemiologist from FK Universitas Airlangga (Unair) Windhu Purnomo said that the government should be able to flatten the curve or be able to keep the increase in cases from being too fast and too high so that the peak will occur in March but with a lower number of cases.

However, according to Hari, the control of transmission of the Omicron Variant can be carried out if the health protocols, mobility restrictions, vaccinations, and health care facilities are properly accommodated.

Other experts, namely Erlina Burhan and Siti Setiati from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia (UI) reminded the public not to be lulled by the narrative that the Omicron variant is not as vicious as the previous variant. Both of them gave advice to Coordinating Minister Luhut and the ranks of Ministers and the task force to make firm efforts to enforce health protocols and also carry out booster vaccines.

“This variant is still being researched, it is less severe than Delta, but it is still being researched. This can increase if we are not firm in reducing transmission or the transmission is high,” said Doctor Siti in the discussion.

Furthermore, apart from advice from the health aspect, Coordinating Minister Luhut also asked for input from the social aspect to formulate a more comprehensive strategy.

In the discussion, UI sociologist Imam B. Prasodjo explained that the strategy that had been used so far in the social aspect was correct. According to him, there are four main points that the government needs to continue to do, namely strengthening coordination between government and security forces. The second strategy, added Imam, is to encourage people to do public-pressure on others who violate the health protocol rules, conduct campaigns to increase body resistance or body immunity in the family, and also try to empower local communities through education so that generation loss does not occur.

At the end of this discussion, Coordinating Minister Luhut, Minister of Health Budi G. Sadikin, Deputy Minister of Health Dante, and Coordinator of the Expert Team of the Covid-19 Task Force Wiku Adisasmito, expressed their gratitude and appreciation for the input, criticism, and suggestions given by the experts in this discussion. The positive side of handling the Covid-19 Pandemic, according to Coordinating Minister Luhut, actually increases solidarity among Indonesian people to work hand in hand, helping each other.

"We need to maintain this, not only during this pandemic, but also in the future. This is a good thing and we should be grateful for what has arisen from this pandemic," he concluded.

Apart from the above experts, several other experts were also present in this discussion, namely Ismoedijanto Moedjito from FK Unair, Panji Hadisoemarto from FK Universitas Padjadjaran (Unpad), Iwan Ariawan from the Faculty of Public Health (FKM) UI, Pandu Riono from Faculty of Public Health (FKM) UI. FKM UI, and pediatrician Aman Bhakti Pulungan//VOI-NK