Day: June 4, 2022

Saudi Arabia on Saturday welcomed its first batch of foreign Hajj pilgrims since before the coronavirus pandemic, which prompted authorities to sharply restrict the annual ritual in line with global health guidelines, Trend reports citing Al Arabiya.

The group from Indonesia landed in the city of Medina and was set to travel south to the holy city of Mecca in the coming weeks to prepare for the Hajj next month, state media reported.

“Today we received the first group of this year’s pilgrims from Indonesia, and the flights will continue from Malaysia and India,” Mohammed al-Bijawi of the country’s Hajj Ministry told the al-Ekhbariya channel.

“Today we are happy to receive the guests of God from outside the kingdom, after a two-year interruption due to the pandemic,” he added, describing Saudi Arabia as “fully prepared” to accommodate them.

One of the five pillars of Islam, the Hajj must be undertaken by all Muslims who have the means at least once in their lives.

Usually one of the world’s largest religious gatherings, about 2.5 million people participated in 2019.

But after the onset of the pandemic in 2020, authorities announced they would only let 1,000 pilgrims take part.

The following year, they increased the total to 60,000 fully vaccinated Saudi Arabian citizens and residents chosen through a lottery.

In April, the kingdom announced it would permit one million Muslims from inside and outside the country to participate in this year’s Hajj, which will take place in July.

The Hajj consists of a series of religious rites that are completed over five days in Islam’s holiest city, Mecca, and surrounding areas of western Saudi Arabia.

This year’s pilgrimage will be limited to vaccinated Muslims under age 65, the Hajj ministry has said.

Those coming from outside Saudi Arabia, who must apply for Hajj visas, are required to submit a negative Covid-19 PCR result from a test taken within 72 hours of travel.

Source: Trend News Agency

Jakarta (ANTARA) – The National Police hosted competitions to commemorate the 76th Bhayangkara Day, with the aim of fostering creativity among members of the public after two years of the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak.

Head of public relations at the National Police Inspector General Dedi Prasetyo stated that among the competitions conducted by the National Police were a music festival, in which street musicians from various regions participated; three-pillar competitions; short film competitions; and others.

“Moreover, (there is a) shooting competition (that would involve) the media editors at the Kelapa II Depok Mobile Brigade Headquarters on June 11,” Prasetyo noted in a written statement received here on Saturday.

As for the three-pillar competition, a short film competition that brought up the theme of “Police Force’s Small Step towards Change”, a photo contest, and a public service advertisement competition that would culminate on June 22 would be held.

Also held was an art competition themed “Bright Indonesia” and among the contests were a dance competition, vocal group, and artistic performances, which would be held on June 28, with the conclusion hosted at The Tribrata Building, South Jakarta.

“On July 1, the National Police will announce the Hoegeng Awards, an award for Bhayangkaras (police) who have integrity, dedication, and innovation,” Dedi affirmed.

He also revealed that apart from competitions, the anniversary also included religious social services as well as the distribution of social assistance on Wednesday, June 15. Medical services would also be expedited in all regions, with Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, being the center of the operation.

He also stated that from May to June 30, they would conduct a vaccination program, and on June 7, they would also hold a blood donation activity. Operations, such as cleft lip surgery, circumcision, and cataract eye surgery, would be conducted in Balikpapan, he added.

As many as 20 thousand packages of social assistance will be distributed at the Bhayangkara Field, South Jakarta, on Monday, June 20. The aid will be targeted for orphans, poor people, factory workers, laid off workers, nursing homes, social institutions, orphanages, people with disabilities, retired personnel of the police force or national defense force, medical staff, MSME actors affected by the pandemic, motorcycle taxi drivers, as well as drivers and families of victims of COVID-19.

“Social assistance in (commemoration) of the 76th Anniversary of Bhayangkara will be distributed all over Indonesia. At the National Police Headquarters scope, the event will be held on Monday (June 20, 2022) at the Bhayangkara Field,” he concluded.

Source: Antara News

Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Public Works and Public Housing Ministry expects Dutch technology and experience to be employed to assist Indonesia in developing disaster-resilient cities and managing water resources in an integrated and efficient manner.

Public Works and Public Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono noted in a written statement received here on Saturday that he and Minister of Infrastructure and Water Resources of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Mark Harbers, had agreed upon a memorandum of understanding that stipulated cooperation on phase 5 of water resources.

The agreement between the duo was signed in Den Haag, the Netherlands, on Friday, June 3, at local time.

“I look forward to the presence of Dutch technology and experience for the development of disaster-resilient cities, integrated smart water management, water management, and low land development,” Basuki noted.

He affirmed that Indonesia’s collaboration with the Netherlands on water resources aspects had been established since 2000 and has grown ever stronger in supporting the management of water resources as a priority listed in the 2020-2024 National Medium Term Development Plan (RPJMN) and the National Strategic Project (PSN).

The minister also extended invitation to Harbers to attend the 2024 World Water Forum (WWF) in Bali. WWF, themed “Water for Shared Prosperity,” served as the right opportunity to pursue the realization of Sustainable Development Goals in the water sector as well as to address various challenges related to food security, including the use of swamp land outside Java, energy security, and climate resilience.

He also expects support from the Netherlands in the form of vocational education instructors at the Public Works Polytechnic in Semarang.

“I want students to be able to master specific, practical skills (which enable them to delve into the) workforce,” he stated.

“We are truly delighted that the MoU between Indonesia and the Netherlands in terms of water resources can finally be signed because we have been waiting for a long time and had not been able to come around it due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I believe this can further (improve) the cooperation between Indonesia and the Netherlands,” he remarked.

Prior to meeting with Harbers, the minister held a meeting with the CEO of the Global Center of Adaptation (GCA) Patrick Verkooijen. At this meeting, he invited the GCA advance team to visit Indonesia at the end of June 2022 to discuss plans with the ministry in order to develop an action program.

“We will propose to the president to (make this a part of) the G20 agendas in Bali, in which the adaptation factor to climate change is vital in every policy setting and development program, so that it offers tangible value and impact on the economy,” he added.

The minister’s entourage comprised Indonesian Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Mayerfas; Inspector General of Public Works and Public Housing, T. Iskandar; Expert staff on Technology, Industry, and Environment at the Public Works and Public Housing Ministry, Endra S. Atmawidjaja; and Water Management Expert Arie Setiadi Moerwanto.

Source: Antara News

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Although it is no longer mandatory to mask up, Indonesian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Abdul Aziz Ahmad, has appealed to Hajj pilgrims to continue wearing masks on account of the extreme weather in the kingdom.

“However, it is better to wear masks for our own safety, especially for those who have flu and cough,” he said in Medina, Saudi Arabia, on Friday Arabian Standard Time (AST, UTC+3), according to the Hajj Media Center.

Healthy pilgrims must keep wearing masks in view of dust storms and high temperatures, he added. Currently, the temperature in Saudi Arabia is reaching up to 45 degrees Celsius, he noted.

In addition, pilgrims must carry lots of water and snacks to maintain their physical condition.

The Saudi Arabian government has made good preparations for the 2022 Hajj pilgrimage and arranged several conveniences for Indonesian pilgrims, the ambassador stated.

Related news: Dehydration, heat stroke pose threat to Hajj pilgrims: Health Ministry

Regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, there are no activity restrictions in Saudi Arabia, but it is mandatory for pilgrims to have obtained full vaccination and booster doses.

Those suffering from COVID-19 symptoms must conduct a PCR test at once and undergo self-isolation. If the test is negative, they can carry out the pilgrimage normally.

The test is quite cheap, with the most expensive one costing SAR100 (Saudi Riyal) or around Rp300 thousand (US$20.55), Ahmad said.

He further informed that the increase in transportation and accommodation costs for pilgrims, officers, as well as guides for their stay in Arafah, Mina, and Muzdalifah (Armuzna) will be applicable to nationals from all countries.

“Since the (pilgrimage) facilities in Armuzna have not been used for two years, it becomes the consideration for (increasing) the price,” he added.

Hence, the Religious Affairs Ministry has proposed an additional operational cost for Indonesian Hajj pilgrims of around Rp1.5 trillion (US$102.7 million) to cover the increase in transportation and accommodation costs in Armuzna; technical costs for the landing of the Surabaya embarkation pilgrims; Saudi Arabian Airlines flight exchange rate difference; as well as special Hajj operational costs.

Source: Antara News

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Member of Commission XI of the House of Representatives (DPR) Mukhamad Misbakhun and Bank Indonesia (BI) have launched the “Love Rupiah Movement” on the remote island of Gili Ketapang, Probolinggo district, East Java.

“Rupiah, as a symbol of state sovereignty and a manifestation of our love for the homeland, must be maintained properly. In all parts of this country, all transactions use rupiah. That is the symbol of our sovereignty,” Misbakhun said in a written statement received in Jakarta on Saturday.

The Currency Law mandates the use of rupiah for all transactions conducted on Indonesian territory, he noted.

Gili Ketapang is a small island off the northern coast of Probolinggo city. To reach the island, which is under the jurisdiction of the Sumberasih sub-district administration, Misbakhum and the chief of the BI Office in Malang, Samsun Hadi, used a patrol boat owned by the water and air police of the Probolinggo district police.

“Bank Indonesia is my work partner in my capacity as your representative at the House Commission XI,” Misbakhum told residents of Gili Ketapang, who are mostly members of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Islamic organization.

Meanwhile, Hadi said BI is a central bank that has been assigned to print and circulate rupiah.

“As Mr. Misbakhum has stated, rupiah is a symbol of state sovereignty,” he added.

In addition, BI has also been tasked with controlling inflation, he said.

He then said he was thankful to God that inflation in Indonesia could be brought under control during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Source: Antara News

Jakarta (ANTARA) – President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) presented the trophy to Jaguar TCS Racing’s Mitch Evans for winning the Jakarta E-Prix 2022, or the 9th Formula E series, at the Jakarta International E-Circuit, Ancol, here on Saturday.

New Zealand’s Evans, who rode the Jaguar TCS Racing team car, completed the 40-lap race with the fastest record time of 48 minutes 28.424 seconds.

He bagged the winning trophy for this season after beating DS Techeetah racer Jean-Eric Vergne (France) by just 0.733 secs. Switzerland’s Edoardo Montara of Rokit Venturi Racing ended third.

President Jokowi handed over the trophy to Evans, who looked a little confused upon not being presented a champagne bottle to uncork and celebrate his win, which is the norm at international racing events.

His confusion was not new considering that at the Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia, or the 2022 MotoGP Series, and the 2021 Mandalika World Superbike (WSBK), the committee did not present any champagne bottles.

Meanwhile, Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan handed over the trophy to representatives of the Jaguar TCS Racing team, which was named the contractor champion of the Jakarta E-Prix 2022.

After the championship ceremony at the podium, Jokowi expressed his gratitude for the success of the Jakarta E-Prix 2022.

“Alhamdulillah, everything went smoothly and well,” he told reporters.

“I think this is the event of the future because we know that there will be a shift from the current car to electric cars, so this will be entertainment that will be even more popular,” he added.

The Jakarta E-Prix 2022 marked Indonesia’s success in fulfilling the trust of the International Automotive Federation (FIA) by hosting the electric car race, which has been held since 2014.

Jakarta was supposed to hold the 2019–20 Formula E Championship, but it was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to the race being hosted in Germany.

Source: Antara News

Batam, Riau Islands (ANTARA) – The Health Ministry is committed to supporting the Batam Free Zone Authority Agency Hospital (RSBP) by meeting its requirements to enable it to become a referral for patients from abroad.

“The Batam Free Zone Authority (BP Batam) has come up with a grand concept for a hospital, which not only serves but also facilitates education and research for specialist doctors. Hopefully, in future, patients from overseas will also seek treatment at the Batam Hospital,” Secretary General at Health Ministry Kunta Wibawa Dasa Nugraha noted in a written statement received in Batam, Riau Islands, on Saturday.

The ministry’s support was demonstrated through the signing of a memorandum of understanding pertaining to the health sector between BP Batam and the Indonesian Ministry of Health.

“The Health Ministry is ready to support the efforts of the Batam Indonesia Free Zone Authority to (optimize) and provide the items needed for the management of the Batam Free Zone Authority Agency Hospital,” Nugraha stated.

Among the terms agreed upon by the two entities include the improvement of human resources, the use of information data, administrative support, the preparation of health development policy recommendations, and the development of facilities and infrastructure.

Head of the Batam Free Zone Authority Agency, Muhammad Rudi, expects that this agreement would mark the start of sound cooperation for increasing investment in the health sector and encourage national economic growth.

“At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, everyone could not go abroad for treatment, especially to Singapore and Malaysia. RSBP has become a reference for the people of Riau Islands,” he stated.

This agreement is a new-fangled measure that serves as means to provide added value to RSBP, which would be integrated with the Sekupang Health SEZ in future.

“I hope that the Batam Free Zone Authority Agency Hospital would become a regional referral hospital for the Sumatran region and become a (matter of pride and joy) for Batam’s people,” Rudi stated.

The hospital, located in Tanjung Pinggir, Sekupang, is equipped with excellent Cardio, Cerebrovascular, Trauma Center, and Oncology services.

They also offered five additional services in 2021, including Electrophysiology and Cardiac Ablation Studies, Endourology, Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL), Retrograde IntraRenal Surgery (RIRS), Mammography and the Alamanda Pavilion at the Mental Health Clinic.

Source: Antara News

Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Health Ministry has urged Hajj pilgrims to limit their activities to avoid the risk of coronavirus exposure before leaving for Saudi Arabia.

“We urge (pilgrims) to limit their activities before leaving, at least a week before leaving, so that they are not exposed to COVID-19, and their PCR test results can be negative when they leave,” head of the Health Ministry’s Hajj Health Center, Budi Sylvana, said here on Saturday.

The ministry has made the appeal so that the departure of Hajj pilgrims is not delayed since, if they contract COVID-19, then they will need to undergo quarantine until they are declared negative for COVID-19 in order to leave for the Holy Land.

Sylvana particularly reminded pilgrims in the last departure group to be careful because they would not be able to perform Hajj this year if they get infected with COVID-19.

“Avoid excessive activities outside and contact with large crowds so that the departure process goes well,” he said.

Meanwhile, director general of Hajj and Umrah organization at the Religious Affairs Ministry, Hilman Latief, said that the pilgrims entering the Hajj dormitory have been confirmed to be in good health and ready to perform their worship.

Latief advised the pilgrims to obey the rules in Indonesia and Saudi Arabia so their worship activities can run smoothly.

“We expect the commitment of all accompanying officers and also the pilgrims. We all currently represent millions of Indonesian pilgrims who are waiting in line for Hajj,” he said.

He also asked pilgrims to be self-disciplined and follow the advice of health officials because the weather in Saudi Arabia is very hot, with temperatures reaching 43 degrees Celsius.

“Get enough rest and do lots of worship, or do both sufficiently because (you) will be there for 42 days until the peak (of the pilgrimage), wukuf, throwing jumrah, and so on,” he said.

Source: Antara News