September 23, 2021 – Page 2 – Indonesia News Gazette

September 23, 2021

Indonesia targets rehabilitating 34,000 ha mangrove areas this year

Mangrove areas, spanning a total area of 34 thousand hectares (ha), will be rehabilitated this year, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) stated after planting mangrove trees in Tritih Lor Village, Cilacap District. North, Cilacap, Central Java Province, on Thursday.

“We will continue to conduct mangrove rehabilitation, both by the Peat and Mangrove Restoration Agency and also by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry. Our target in 2021 is to cover some 34 thousand hectares,” the president noted.

Mangrove rehabilitation is becoming increasingly important for the preservation of mangrove forests that can help to address the ongoing impacts of climate change.

According to the head of state, mangroves are expected to reduce wave energy, protect the coast from abrasion, inhibit water intrusion, and improve coastal habitats and the environment.

Jokowi also expressed hope that the presence of mangrove forests would increase the production of fish and other marine resources. Hence, fishermen can get more fish and be able to earn higher incomes.

“Especially crabs, we just got two crabs earlier. We are optimistic that it would increase the local people’s income,” according to the president.

Following the mangrove tree planting event, the president and his entourage headed to the state high school SMA Negeri 2 Cilacap to review the implementation of vaccination for students and to greet the vaccination participants at several other schools via video conference.

He also reviewed the implementation of the door-to-door vaccination drive for villagers in the Sentolo Kawat fisherman’s area, South Cilacap Sub-district.

Before returning to Jakarta, the head of state released hatchlings on Kemiren Beach, South Cilacap.

President Jokowi’s entourage comprised Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung; head of the Presidential Secretariat, Heru Budi Hartono; Presidential Military Secretary M. Tonny Harjono; Commander of the Presidential Security Detail (Paspampres), Major General Tri Budi Utomo; and Deputy for Protocol, Press, and Media at the Presidential Secretariat Bey Machmudin.

Source: Antara News

September 23, 2021

Sports Ministry expects health protocol adherence during Papua Games

Secretary of the Sports Ministry Gatot S. Dewa Broto believed that everyone would follow health protocols during the XX Papua National Sports Week if related information was disseminated massively.

“As long as we disseminate information on the guidelines, we convey it well. We have a positive appeal, and the public will follow it,” Broto noted during a virtual discussion on preparations for the National Sports Week, as seen in Jakarta on Thursday.

The government had earlier decided on an audience cap of 25 percent of the capacity for the Papua National Sports Week for athletes, officials, and spectators.

Broto was confident of the best possible application of health protocols during the event to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The experience of organizing the Sports Ministry Cup, IBL, and Liga 1 Indonesia would be a valuable asset during the National Sports Week later.

“When Liga 1 was being held, the people were a bit pessimistic whether the fans would not come, which were sometimes difficult to control. The fact was when they were asked not to come to the stadium, they could do it,” Broto revealed.

He drew attention to the strict imposition of health protocols during the 2021 Sports Ministry Cup. He did not sense any signs of spectators or supporters, who would potentially cause crowding or congregation while passing by the Maguwoharjo Stadium in Sleman.

This condition was attributed to the management that continuously expedited and disseminated information on health protocols.

On the other hand, his administration, in collaboration with the Health Ministry and the COVID-19 Task Force, are currently stipulating the 25-percent capacity for spectators. Strict security will be imposed when spectators will enter the main stadium area during the opening ceremony.

“Hence, at the opening (of the National Sports Week), there will be a procedure to enter the stadium, such as being given a bracelet to indicate whether they are fit or not to enter and then (the requirement of) proof of vaccination. We expect that a PeduliLindungi application will be used, so there is evidence (of vaccination) and (for people to) maintain their distance,” he stated.

Head of the Behavior Change Division of the COVID-19 Handling Task Force Sonny Harry B. Harmadi remarked that the National Sports Week will employ a bubble system as a preventive effort.

“Hence, through this bubble system, all participants, comprising athletes, team officials, and committees, are not allowed to conduct activities outside the predetermined activity plan,” he noted.

Harmadi noted that the application of a bubble system ensured that all parties involved in the National Sports Week would be safe. All movements using special transportation and the team’s destination were ensured to be free from COVID-19 and under control.

“Hence, the hope is that with the bubble system, we can mitigate and reduce the risks of transmission because after all, this is in the midst of the pandemic,” he stated.

Source: Antara News

September 23, 2021

84% of infant mortality caused by preterm birth: ministry

Preterm birth is responsible for 84 percent of deaths among newborn babies in Indonesia, director for family health at the Ministry of Health, Erna Mulati, has said.

“As many as 84 percent (of infant deaths) happened because of preterm birth. This is getting higher due to the number of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia cases that have been increasing from year to year,” she said at an event entitled ‘The launch of the USAID Momentum Partnership Program between Indonesia and the United States’, which was streamed live on the Health Ministry’s Youtube channel here on Thursday.

Fifty percent of infant mortality occurs in the first 28 days after birth, Mulati said. Meanwhile, 11.4 percent of deaths occur 7-27 days after birth, while 38.2 percent of deaths occur within 7 days of birth, she informed.

Based on 2019 Basic Health Research data, the high rate of infant mortality due to preterm birth was because 17 percent of pregnant women experienced chronic energy deficiency and almost 50 percent of pregnant women experienced anemia, Mulati said.

For that reason, improvements starting from the community health center level are needed to prevent the rise in infant mortality, she added.

Separately, chief of the National Demography and Family Planning Board (BKKBN), Hasto Wardoyo, said that women planning a pregnancy must undergo a health screening first to find out their nutritional status.

“Women should meet the requirements before getting pregnant. The BKKBN will not prohibit people from getting married because it is not under our authority. However, we want health screening to be conducted first before marriage to check the nutritional status,” he added.

Source: Antara News

September 23, 2021

PON athletes must abide by arrival, departure arrangement: official

Secretary to the Minister of Youth and Sports Gatot S. Dewa Broto has asked athletes participating in the PON XX National Games in Papua to abide by the arrival and departure times arranged by officials.

It is mandatory for provincial delegates to arrive in Papua three days before their match date and depart a maximum of three days after the conclusion of the match, he said, adding that the measure is meant to prevent COVID-19 infection among athletes.

“Therefore, athletes are no longer allowed to stay longer just to wait for fellow athletes completing their match,” Broto said during a discussion on health protocols for the PON XX in Papua and the 2021 World Superbike event in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara Province, on Thursday.

Officials will also require athletes to undergo a COVID-19 PCR test at departure and arrival, he added.

The ministry intends to imitate the same health protocol regime that was implemented during the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo at the PON XX National Games, Broto said.

“But due to budget constraints and other factors, we cannot completely imitate the health protocols implemented during the 2020 Olympics at the PON Games,” he noted.

Besides regulating provincial delegates’ arrival and departure times, PON officials will limit the number of spectators to 25 percent of a sporting venue’s total capacity, he said.

“We agree to bar the match spectators to a maximum of 25 percent from the total capacity, and the 25 percent already includes the athletes and officials, health workers, match committees, media crews, and other relevant officials,” Broto informed.

The ministry and stakeholders will collaborate to ensure the smooth conduct of the PON XX National Games, he added.

Officials will also conduct evaluations at several competitions that will be held this week before the PON Games officially open on October 2, 2021, he informed.

Source: Antara News

September 23, 2021

President Jokowi attends Global COVID-19 Summit

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) virtually attended the Global COVID-19 Summit to discuss world leaders’ commitment to expediting vaccination efforts worldwide, according to Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin.

During a virtual press conference broadcasted from the Presidential Secretariat YouTube channel on Thursday morning, Minister Sadikin stated that President Jokowi had attended the Global COVID-19 Summit on Wednesday evening after accepting US President Joe Biden’s personal invitation to attend the summit.

President Jokowi is among the only four world leaders to be personally invited by President Biden to attend the summit and provide suggestions on the COVID-19 pandemic handling strategy, according to Sadikin.

The minister noted that President Biden had laid emphasis on three key points for the COVID-19 handling strategy at the summit.

“The first point is to reiterate our commitment with world leaders to expedite vaccination rates worldwide,” Sadikin revealed.

The minister noted that the World Health Organisation’s current target was to achieve a 40-percent vaccination coverage for the global population in 2021 and 70-percent coverage in 2022.

The second point is the importance of quick decisions to save humanity from the disease, as currently, around 4.5 million people worldwide have succumbed to the virus, the minister noted.

“President Biden specifically emphasises the necessity to ensure the provision of oxygen, testing and tracing equipment, and medicines stocks in hospitals to treat patients infected by the virus,” Minister Sadikin stated.

The minister explained that the third point pertained to ensuring global recovery from the pandemic and preparedness to face a future epidemic.

“We need to conceive a global health resilience architecture and plan a global healthcare financial system for a country needing financial assistance to address domestic health issues,” the minister stated.

President Biden also highlighted the importance of a resilient healthcare system in developing and developed countries for a better future and ensuring preparedness to face a future epidemic, Sadikin affirmed.

Source: Antara News

September 23, 2021

People should adapt and coexist with COVID-19: Minister

Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin has called on the public to start learning to adapt and coexist with the COVID-19 pandemic, as no pandemic could ever be over in a short period of time.

Sadikin delivered the statement while accompanying Vice President Ma’ruf Amin during the review of mass COVID-19 vaccination for media workers at Bentara Budaya here on Thursday.

“There is no pandemic that ends in a short time. The shortest, as far as I know, is five years, but some (last up to) tens to hundreds of years. Hence, we must learn to live with it,” he remarked.

To start adapting to the pandemic, the first step for everyone is to get vaccinated against COVID-19, the minister emphasized.

“The first measure we have to take is ensure that our friends get vaccinated quickly. That is the number-one priority. If we can, we should immediately get two doses of the vaccination,” he stressed.

Furthermore, he reminded the public to steer clear from being ecstatic or euphoric over the better control of COVID-19 transmission cases through vaccines.

Sadikin cited the examples of several countries that had high COVID-19 vaccination rates, yet they continued to witness an increase in the number of cases.

“We see countries, such as Israel and the United States. The vaccination rate is high, but (cases of transmission) are rising again, as they ignore health protocols,” he pointed out.

Hence, he urged people to continuously adhere to health protocols through a disciplined approach despite having received doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

On the other hand, Vice President Ma’ruf Amin stated that the government will increase efforts in testing, tracking, and treatment (3T), so that the cases of COVID-19 transmission can be suppressed.

“The government continues to conduct testing, tracing, and isolation. If one person is hit, they are immediately examined and tracked until maybe more than 10 people are tracked,” the vice president remarked.

In addition to stepping up the application of 3T, Amin pushed for diligent adherence to health protocols and vaccinations as crucial aspects to prevent the transmission of COVID-19.

Source: Antara News

September 23, 2021

Vice President calls for better testing, tracing, isolation

Vice President Ma’ruf Amin has called for better and more rigorous testing, tracing, isolation to anticipate any spike in COVID-19 transmission in Indonesia.

“The government must continuously carry out testing, tracing, and isolation. If there is one person who is infected (found positive), then they (their contacts) are immediately sought, until maybe more than 10 people are tracked,” Amin said while reviewing mass vaccinations of media workers at Bentara Budaya Jakarta on Thursday.

Amplifying the testing, tracking, and isolation of positive people could help health workers handle COVID-19 cases better, he pointed out.

“So, if they were found out (test positive for COVID-19), they will be immediately isolated, not just let go freely,” he said.

Amin also urged citizens to get vaccinated against COVID-19 without delay, so that herd immunity can be achieved on a national scale.

“Then also we will continue to strive for this vaccination so that it could cover 208 million people, so that (the goal of building) herd immunity is met,” he explained.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin, who accompanied the Vice President during Thursday’s review, said that his ministry will ensure that testing, tracing, and treatment (3T) facilities in the regions operate and function well.

By implementing the 3Ts, any COVID-19 cases that arise would be handled properly, thereby coronavirus spread would be controlled, the minister said.

“The government will better the 3T facility. Maybe there is a small explosion, a cluster, it (COVID-19 transmission) can be quickly noticed in the cluster. You don’t have to wait until it expands like we have experienced before, so the impact is not too (severe),” he added.

Source: Antara News

September 23, 2021

Indonesia lobbies Saudi Arabia for Umrah permits

The acting director general of Hajj and Umrah at the Indonesian Religion Affairs Ministry has lobbied the Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Indonesia to allow prospective Indonesian pilgrims to undertake Umrah soon.

“We hope that the Saudi Arabian government will immediately end the suspension of the implementation of Umrah for prospective Indonesian pilgrims, thus they can have the opportunity to go to the Holy Land,” acting director general of Hajj and Umrah, Khoirizi, said in a written statement received here on Thursday.

There has been no recent regulation from Saudi Arabia on the implementation of Umrah for foreign countries, he said. Suspended countries have to undergo strict health protocols if they want to continue to dispatch prospective pilgrims, he added.

During a meeting with Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Indonesia, Esham Altsaqafi, Khorizi informed him that the handling of COVID-19 in Indonesia has continued to improve.

In addition, he said that prospective Indonesian pilgrims are prepared to follow the health protocols promulgated by the Saudi Arabian government to undertake Umrah.

“There are five countries which send the most Umrah pilgrims but have not been able to send them – comprising Pakistan, Indonesia, India, Turkey, and Egypt. We hope that Indonesian Umrah pilgrims will be prioritized to be dispatched soon,” he remarked.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Altsaqafi emphasized that his government has never prohibited Indonesian Muslims from performing Umrah.

However, Umrah has been suspended in order to control the pandemic, he said.

Furthermore, the ambassador said he had apprised the Saudi Arabian government of the decline in COVID-19 cases in Indonesia, which would be considered when the government decides on issuing Umrah permits.

Although Umrah has been allowed since Muharram 1443 Hijri for certain countries, only 1,000-1,500 pilgrims have participated in it, he informed.

“The low participation is due to the strict procedures in the Umrah implementation to curb pandemic transmission,” he added.

Source: Antara News