Day: June 24, 2021

Jakarta (ANTARA) – The government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and other stakeholders have helped bring down the incidence of forest fires as well as deforestation, according to Herry Purnomo, a researcher at the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR).

“It’s not only the government, or the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK), but there are also non-governmental organizations, the private sector, academia, and local governments (who have helped reduce forest fires and deforestation),” he said at an online discussion, originating from here on Thursday, on the Haze Outlook 2021 report released by the Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA).

Several local governments have launched initiatives to reduce forest and land fires and promoted greening programs, such as the ‘Riau Green’ program by the province of Riau and the ‘Green Development Plan’ by North Sumatra, he noted.

According to data from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, the area affected by forest fires declined from 1,649,258 hectares in 2019 to 296,757 hectares in 2020. As of the end of May this year, around 29 thousand hectares of forests were gutted by fires.

The Haze Outlook 2021, which projects the potential for transboundary haze in ASEAN, has given a green or low risk rating for this year.

According to the report, the decline in forest fires could also be attributed to wetter weather in 2020 and the La Nina phenomenon, which triggered rains.

Peat fires have also contributed to many hotspots indicating forest and land fires in recent years, it said.

While presenting the report, SIIA chairman Simon Tay had said that fires in peatland areas remain an issue. However, the move by the Indonesian government to extend the tenure of the Peat and Mangrove Restoration Agency (BRGM) is a significant indication of the nation’s commitment to preventing forest and land fires, he added.

He also lauded an increase in the commitment to prevent forest and land fires among ministries under the coordination of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry. (INE)

Source: Antara News

Jayapura, Papua (ANTARA) – Commander of the Military District 1715, Lt. Col Christian Irreuw, confirmed a report that unidentified gunmen shot dead five civilians near Wit river in Pingki area, Yahukimo district, Papua province on Thursday.

One of the victims was identified as Pingki tribal chief Obaja, while four others were employees of PT Papua Crenoma.

“It is true that there has been an attack on workers who were constructing a bridge in Pingki area,” he told ANTARA over phone on Thursday night.

Irreuw said he had not been able to visit the scene, which is far from Dekai, capital of Yakuhimo district. A joint team of military and police personnel will visit the scene on Friday to evacuate the bodies of the slain workers and the tribal chief, he informed.

Asked about how many PT Crenoma workers had fallen victim to the attack, he said he did not have the exact number.

“The joint team of military and police personnel will know exactly their number only on Friday when they go to the scene to evacuate them,” he added.

Before the attack on the workers, unidentified gunmen reportedly shot at the company’s dump truck in Pingki, prompting the driver to return to Kali Kuk camp on KM 47+600. (INE)

Source: Antara News

Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Papua provincial government has said it is prepared to host the 20th National Sports Week (PON) XX scheduled for October 2-15 this year.

With 100 days to go before the opening ceremony of PON XX, Jayapura Mayor Benhur Tommy Mano has assured that it is safe to host the quadrennial event, which was postponed for one year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in Papua.

“I told governors, 33 provincial offices of the Indonesian National Sport Committee (KONI), and athletes across Indonesia that Papua is ready to host PON 2020,” he said during a virtual event entitled ‘Eyeing Papua’s Preparedness for PON XX’ on Thursday. He made the remarks in response to uncertainty voiced by the public about the PON XX due to the conflict between Indonesian security agencies and Papuan separatists in the past few months.

He asked the public not to worry about the security situation in Papua, saying the areas affected by the conflict are far from the venue selected for PON XX.

He assured that the event will run smoothly as the local government has continued to step up COVID-19 vaccinations in four clusters near the PON venue. The move is expected to lower the risk of COVID-19 transmission during the event, he said.

“In accordance with the President’s instruction, the public must be vaccinated, accessories sellers must be vaccinated, athletes must be vaccinated, and spectators must be vaccinated. This proves in the four clusters. Their enthusiasm to get vaccinated is fairly high,” he remarked. (INE)

Source: Antara News

Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology is working with Twitter to increase social media literacy among students, teachers, and educational workers at the junior high school (SMP) level. “Social media, of course, was initially designed for good things and has many benefits if used wisely and in accordance with needs. Unfortunately, a large number of users in Indonesia are yet to be balanced with the level of good technology literacy and social media literacy. Currently, the digital literacy index in Indonesia has only achieved medium level,” Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, Nadiem Anwar Makarim, said here on Thursday.

He added that negative behaviors, such as spreading of hoaxes, bullying, and gender-based harassment, are emerging on social media.

“And what makes me concerned is many negative behaviors on social media involving students, either as actors or victims,” Makarim stated.

Hence, the minister said he has decided to work with Twitter to help improve digital literacy among the younger generation. To this end, an agreement was signed by the ministry’s acting secretary general, Ainun Na’im, and Twitter’s chief representative for Asia Pacific, Jakarta office, Agung Yudhawiranata.

“I hope that the education on social media literacy for young generations would help strengthen the character and form the Pancasila-profile students,” said Na’im after signing the cooperation agreement. Educating students at junior high school level on social media use is a good move and is in line with the character-building of Pancasila students, he noted.

“Being wise in using social media at early ages will shape good character, especially in developing critical thinking, creativity, the ability to work together, (building) self-esteem, and (inculcating) respect for others, and empathy,” he highlighted.

Through the collaboration with Twitter, a syllabus and learning module on social media literacy will be developed for students, teachers, and educational workers at SMP level. Also, education support on social media literacy will be provided to SMP students who represent the average age of novice social media users, he added.

Kemendikbudristek has lauded the private sector for providing support and cooperation for advancing national education.

“We welcome this collaboration. Hopefully, this will give positive impacts for all citizens of education,” he remarked.

Meanwhile, Yudhawiranata acknowledged that social media literacy has emerged as a problem in Indonesia. The age limit for users of Twitter and other social media platforms is 13 years, he noted.

“The main objective of Twitter is to facilitate public conversation. We are present to create a safe space in order that people can search for information, find various perspectives, and brainstorm with anyone else from all over the world,” he said.

With the increasing gap in social media literacy, which has become a challenge in Indonesia, as well as digital literacy, which is yet to become a part of the formal curriculum, he expressed the hope that the cooperation between the ministry and Twitter would help Indonesian youths to easily navigate digital platforms. (INE)

Source: Antara News

Jayapura, Papua (ANTARA) – The Papua provincial government is making preparations for the Pacific Exposition, which is scheduled to be held in Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, on October 28-30 this year.

The provincial government has appointed chief of the Border and Foreign Cooperation (BPKLN), Suzana Wanggai, as the person in-charge of showcasing the province at the event.

“We are still discussing ways and steps to make preparations for the Pacific Exposition 2021,” Wanggai said.

To that end, BPKLN is coordinating with relevant agencies to prepare for the event, she added. She said she has checked the province’s resources that will be displayed at the Pacific Exposition and the province’s potential to be promoted at the event

“But in essence, Papua is prepared to participate in the Pacific Exposition,” she added.

Earlier, Indonesian Ambassador to New Zealand, Tantowi Yahya, had expressed the hope that Papua would participate in Pacific Exposition 2021.

“I am optimistic that Papua will do much this time,” he said.

During an online meeting with the ambassador, Papua’s vice governor had offered to showcase a wide range of products, including Buah Merah (red fruit), at the expo. (INE)

Source: Antara News