Month: April 2022

Head of the National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) Boy Rafli Amar invited the people, as religious devotees, to uphold their love for the nation to nurture harmony in civic living.

“We expect all citizens, wherever they are, to not forget their own nation,” he noted during the Ramadhan Special of Tolerance Cafe Podcast titled “The Danger of Politicizing Religion for Power” streamed on YouTube on Saturday.

“It is why we hear the principle from ulemas that is hubbul wathan minnal iman, meaning the love for the nation is part of faith. This is what we actually have to nurture,” he remarked.

Through love for the nation, the people will also come to love all living beings in the nation, he stated.

Related news: BNPT asks youth to spread positive narratives on social media

During the event, he also urged Indonesians to be wary of content in the digital space that reflected intolerance and also radical ideas that can potentially destroy harmony and also unity.

In the digital space, particularly on social media, there are several account owners that spread contents that promote hostility toward certain groups, Amar noted.

To this end, he expects all Indonesians to not be easily swayed by such contents.

Related news: Potential for radicalism high among women: BNPT

The people must verify the truth of the contents that they find on social media by clearing their minds and conducting verification, he noted.

“The people must be aware. Do not be swayed by such contents or even participate in spreading them,” he remarked.

“You must truly think (about the content on social media) because electronic transactions that occur in the digital space have legal repercussions,” he emphasized.

The BNPT collaborates with various parties, such as the Communication and Informatics Ministry, to handle content related to radical ideology, Amar noted.

Moreover, cooperation with the people is necessary to tackle radical content through counter narration, he affirmed.

Source: Antara News

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) arrived at the Gedung Agung Presidential Palace, Yogyakarta City, on Saturday afternoon, to spend the end of the holy month of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr in the city located in Central Java.

Jokowi, seated in a black Toyota Alphard, entered the Agung Building complex at around 1 p.m. local time.

Before entering the gates of Gedung Agung, he waved out from inside the car to the crowds that welcomed his arrival.

Meanwhile, police officers and several military personnel were seen on standby to maintain security in front of the gates of the palace located in the Jalan Malioboro area.

Nur Hasanah, 53, a tourist from Cilegon, expressed enthusiasm on welcoming President Jokowi. She was eager to halt her tour agenda along Jalan Malioboro to capture the moment.

Hasanah said this was the first time she had seen the president in person, although it was only from a distance.

“It is nice to see Pak Jokowi. I could see him from the window. I want to be able to shake hands with Pak Jokowi,” she remarked.

Related news: Seats in trains, planes available for Eid homecoming: Jokowi

Earlier, after reviewing the Formula E Circuit in Ancol, North Jakarta, on Monday (Apr 25), President Joko Widodo said he would go home and perform Eid prayers in the Special Region of Yogyakarta.

Although he could not confirm how long he would be in Yogyakarta, the president said that the palace would not hold any halal-bihalal (open house) activities.

“When I go home, it is in Solo, Central Java. However, I do not go to Solo. I will go to Yogyakarta. Insyaallah (God willing), yes, it is for (Eid al-Fitr prayers),” Jokowi stated.

Source: Antara News

Toll road operators have installed some 2,800 additional toilets in all rest areas to cater to travelers during the Eid al-Fitr exodus period, according to an official of the Toll Road Regulatory Agency (BPJT).

“Overall, a total of 1,700 toilets (are available) in all rest areas, and (during this period), more toilets will be installed (to complement) permanent toilets that are currently available,” Toll Road Regulatory Agency Head Danang Parikesit stated while inspecting the Kalikangkung toll gate here on Saturday.

Installing new toilets in rest areas will reduce the queue of travelers looking to use toilets, he remarked.

“We must ensure that toilet queues will be less than 10 minutes. We hope to be able to accommodate (all travelers),” the BPJT head remarked.

Parikesit noted that according to his observation earlier, no congestion had occurred in the traffic in both the eastward and westward directions of the toll road.

Related news: PMI commends high health protocol adherence amid Eid exodus trip

“In general, no congestion is seen on toll roads. This proves that the one-way traffic modification approach is successful,” Parikesit stated.

The agency head pointed out that travelers, who stop at the road shoulder, either to rest or since their car broke down, could impede toll road traffic and cause congestion.

A toll road officer will approach travelers that stop at the road shoulder and urge them to continue driving to the closest rest area for a break, he remarked.

“For travelers whose cars broke down, the officers will assist them by towing the cars to the nearest rest area,” Parikesit added.

Related news: Ensure Eid al-Fitr exodus travel is safe for children: KPAI

Meanwhile, state-run toll operator Jasa Marga Transjawa Toll Road Regional Division (JTTRD) had earlier appealed to travelers to refrain from making long halts at rest areas along toll roads.

“At the peak of the 2022 Eid al-Fitr homecoming traffic, travelers are encouraged to stay in the rest area for no more than 30 minutes,” head of the marketing and communication department of JTTRD, Tody Satria, stated when contacted by ANTARA on Tuesday (Apr 26).

The attempt is aimed at reducing crowding in rest areas since many travelers will partake in the exodus from and to various regions, he added.

Source: Antara News