Author: admin

Posted on

Legislator invites people to jointly fight hoaxes

House of Representatives’ (DPR RI’s) Commission I member Bobby Adhityo Rizaldi has invited Indonesians to work hand in hand in fighting hoaxes, so that people will not be influenced by slander and incitement.

“We invite you all to become netizens, who fight hoaxes jointly,” Rizaldi stated at the Talk with Legislators webinar held by the Ministry of Communication and Informatics and Commission I of DPR RI on Monday.

Rizaldi noted that in order to fight hoaxes, the people must understand the characteristics and types of fake news as well as ways to identify them.

The House member then drew attention to four characteristics of hoaxes, with the first being those that tend to spread through e-mail as the person behind it believes that it has the potential to draw a bigger response from the public.

The second type of hoaxes contain messages that can make readers feel anxious and panicky, he remarked. Third, hoaxes end with an appeal for readers to spread the false information to a wider forum, he added.

“Lastly, the identity of the initial spreader is mostly unknown,” he remarked.

On that occasion, he also pointed out types of hoaxes, such as fake news, clickbait, misinformation, confirmation bias, satirical news, post-truth news, and propaganda.

According to Rizaldi, there are three steps to check hoaxes. First, if the presumed hoax is complemented with a picture, people can search for the picture on Google, he remarked.

Thus, people can identify the source of the picture and get the truth behind the news, he added.

Second, if the hoax is accompanied by a web address, people must identify the owner of the web address through its about us page, the legislator explained.

Lastly, if people receive the news from messaging apps, then they must ask the sender about the source of the news, he stressed.

Source: Antara News

Posted on

Need to uphold public wish, ratify sexual violence bill: official

Deputy Head of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) Lestari Moerdijat has said that the public’s wish for the ratification of the Sexual Violence Crime Bill must be fulfilled promptly.

“In the midst of the discussion on Sexual Violence Crime Bill by the House of Representatives and the government arises the public’s desire for the immediate birth of the regulation, which can offer protection against threats of sexual violence, according to a survey on last February,” Moerdijat said in a written statement here on Tuesday.

She cited data from the Indonesian Politic Indicator survey, conducted from February 11 to 21, 2022, which showed that a majority or 65.3 percent of citizens supported the prompt ratification of the sexual violence bill.

She opined that the public’s wishes must be responded to wisely by stipulating the bill, which answers the people’s concerns, without delay.

She said she expected the bill’s legislation process, which is currently ongoing, to lead to the bill being ratified as actual law at the next plenary meeting.

“Moreover, the discussion on substantial matters at the committee of the Sexual Violence Crime Bill last week was largely agreed upon,” she added.

Moerdijat said that she expected the members of the Committee for the Sexual Violence Crime Bill to have the same enthusiasm for promptly finalizing the much-anticipated law, despite their belonging to different political parties.

This is because a satisfactory legislative process is a part of the House’s efforts to improve work performance, which the public has deemed as still less-than-ideal, she remarked.

“Generally, the finalization of the review of several drafts of laws that are included in the National Legislation Program must be carefully planned, so that the laws that are able to meet people’s expectations can be realized immediately,” she said.

Source: Antara News

Posted on

Temanggung: Visually impaired recite the Quran using Braille

Dozens of Muslims with visual impairment recited verses from the Holy Quran using an edition printed in tactile Braille letters at Penganthi Social Service Centre for Persons with Visual Impairment here on Monday.

Sumarni, a teacher at the Central Java government-run social center, said that Muslims with visual impairment who study the Quran using Braille at the center have varied proficiency, as they must first learn Braille letters before proceeding to read the Quran.

“We have a special class to read and write the Quran in Braille. We have assigned special teachers (for the class),” Sumarni informed.

The teacher said that those who can read the Quran using Braille participate in the collective reading, while those who are at present learning to read Braille join the assembly by listening to or memorizing Quranic verses.

The social center’s management has allocated more time for Quran reading for Muslims with visual impairment after the Tarawih evening prayer, but it is also allowing those who want to read the Quran outside the allotted time, she said.

Meanwhile, Suryadi, a Muslim with visual impairment at the social center, said that persistence in memorizing and understanding each Braille letter is necessary to read the Quran using Braille.

“We must use our fingers to read the Quran in Braille, and our fingers must be sensitive,” he added.

He said it takes two years to become proficient in reading the Quran using Braille letters. He then said he is thankful that his newly-acquired proficiency would allow him to read the Quran during the Ramadan period.

“We have no target of completing the Quran during the Ramadan period. I also want to complete my Quran recitation, but we must understand that the Quran in Braille is different from other Quran editions because one Quranic Juz’ (a division of the Quran) in Braille is bundled in a large book,” Suryadi added.

Source: Antara News

Posted on

Government to control COVID spread during Ramadan: minister

Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno has assured that the government will work to control the spread of COVID-19 and prevent an infection spike during Ramadan, the Eid exodus, and the period after Eid.

“Of course, we hope the relaxation (of restrictions) for worship activities during the holy month of Ramadan can be followed by (public) compliance in implementing the health protocols,” he said at a weekly press briefing here on Monday.

He noted that the government’s decision to allow people to join iftar gatherings and the Eid homecoming exodus has increased optimism among tourism and creative economy players.

Nevertheless, he reminded the people to keep complying with the health protocols and get fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Regarding the prohibition on government officials and state civil apparatuses (ASN) from holding iftar gatherings, suhoor gatherings, and open houses during Eid, he said he hoped it would build efficiency by directing government activities to help the community directly.

He explained that officials and ASN could help the community, for example, by providing incentives to tourism and creative economy players during Ramadan.

“I will immediately issue a circular, preferably within the next 1–2 days, regarding the health protocols during the holy month of Ramadan. Hopefully, it can be disseminated to all tourism industry players,” he said.

He then lauded the improvement in the acceleration of vaccinations, which will continue to be enhanced during the fasting month through the provision of vaccination services at night.

In addition, the minister also urged people to continue using the PeduliLindungi application.

The first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Indonesia in March 2020. According to data from the COVID-19 Handling Task Force, as of April 3, 2022, Indonesia has recorded a total of 6,019,981 COVID-19 cases, 5,768,703 recoveries, and 155,288 deaths.

Source: Antara News

Posted on

COVID-19 daily cases decline to 97 percent from peak: Minister

COVID-19 daily cases have currently sharply decreased to 97 percent as compared to the Omicron variant case peak several months ago, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan stated.

“The COVID-19 pandemic condition and situation to this day is in a very good state,” the minister noted in a press statement after the Public Activity Restriction (PPKM) evaluation limited meeting here on Monday.

“If we observe it nationally, within less than three months, the number of daily cases had sharply declined to 97 percent, from the case peak,” he pointed out.

In addition to the COVID-19 daily cases or new cases, the total number of active COVID-19 cases in Indonesia also declined to 83 percent, from the peak of Omicron cases.

With this, the total number of COVID-19 active cases is currently below 100 thousand.

Pandjaitan, concurrently the Java-Bali PPKM coordinator, also reported the progress in terms of several other COVID-19 handling indicators.

For instance, the Bed Occupancy Ratio (BOR) is currently only at six percent. This was obtained based on the fact that as of April 2022, the number of inpatients decreased to 85 percent.

“The positivity rate (infection rate) is below WHO’s standard, which is four percent. The number of people, who died also sharply declined to 88 percent as compared to the previous peak of Omicron cases,” he noted.

Based on these indicators, the government concluded that the cases of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in Indonesia are under control, the ministry noted.

“With the Omicron variant under control, economic recovery can be well-maintained,” he stated.

“While it did drop down, Indonesia’s economic recovery can revive quickly and has been showing a very positive trend since the end of January 2022,” he stated.

Source: Antara News

Posted on

Gov’t plans to intensify vaccinations after Tarawih prayers

The government plans to scale up vaccinations in houses of worship after Tarawih prayers to make it easier for the public to access COVID-19 vaccination services.

“The government will carry out vaccinations that will be carried out when Tarawih is finished. The government will also implement vaccinations in other public places such as stations, airports, bus terminals, crowd centers, and places for joint homecoming,” Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said at a virtual press conference in Jakarta on Monday.

According to Pandjaitan, increasing the ease of people in reaching vaccination outlets is an important step in the government’s efforts to maintain a good momentum in controlling the COVID-19 situation in Indonesia.

Pandjaitan stated that currently, the spread of the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 pandemic is relatively under control, with a decrease in daily cases of 97 percent compared to the peak point, and national active cases down 83 percent compared to the current peak to less than 100 thousand.

The hospitalization rate has fallen to 85 percent and the occupancy rate (BOR) is only 6 percent, while the positivity rate is below the WHO standard, which is 4 percent.

“Since it was announced as one of the conditions for this year’s Eid al-Fitr homecoming, the daily rate of booster vaccinations throughout Java and Bali has shown signs of a fairly high increase,” Pandjaitan noted.

Currently, the vaccination rate for booster doses has reached only 23.6 million, while the second dose coverage has reached 159.9 million.

Meanwhile, he said, the government has allowed the public to carry out worship during the fasting month while maintaining strict health protocols, namely wearing masks, checking temperature, and ensuring good ventilation in places of worship.

“In addition, the government is also distributing masks and hand soap to mosques for people who are carrying out worship during the month of Ramadan,” Pandjaitan added.

Source: Antara News

Posted on

Gov’t extends operating hours of malls, restaurants to 10 p.m.

The Indonesian Government has extended the operating hours of malls, restaurants, and cafes to 10 p.m. Western Indonesia Time (WIB) in regions implementing Level 2 community activity restrictions (PPKM).

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment and Coordinator for the Enforcement of PPKM in Java and Bali Regions Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan made the announcement at a virtual press conference on the limited meeting of PPKM evaluation on Monday.

Regarding the extended operating hours, the government appealed to the Regional Leadership Communication Forums (Forkopimda) as well as mall and restaurant managers to remain disciplined in enforcing the use of the PeduliLindungi health screening application, especially around iftar time when public places become more crowded.

The coordinating minister said that the use of the application and the administration of vaccinations are still the primary means to suppress any surge in COVID-19 cases in the midst of rapid economic recovery and mobility.

Based on the number of additional confirmed cases, hospitalized patients, and mortality, currently, Java and Bali regions are experiencing a very significant decline in COVID-19 cases, he added.

“The decline in the number of COVID-19 cases in all provinces in Java and Bali regions has reached 96 to 98 percent compared to the number of cases at the peak period of Omicron cases some time ago,” he stated.

The control of Omicron spread has resulted in a well-maintained economic recovery. Indonesia’s economy has been able to rise quickly and shown a very positive trend since the end of February.

This can be seen from the expenditure index, which has increased in all regions, as assessed by the Mandiri Institute.

Since the pandemic has become more controlled, the government has prepared a road map to support the transition from the pandemic to the endemic phase, Government Spokesperson for COVID-19 Handling Reisa Broto Asmoro said earlier.

Source: Antara News

Posted on

Pandemic in Indonesia more controlled than in neighboring countries

Indonesian Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin has said that the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia is relatively more controlled compared to neighboring countries.

“Indonesia is one of the countries that’s relatively far better than other countries, including our neighboring countries (in terms of the COVID-19 situation),” he said in a press statement on the ‘Limited Meeting on the Evaluation of the Implementation of Restrictions on Community Activities (PPKM),’ here on Monday.

However, the government will remain cautious and monitor global developments regarding the potential for new variants of COVID-19, he added.

“The government realizes that the high spike in cases is always caused by the emergence of new variants. Therefore, we always monitor the new variants that exist,” he said.

The current spike in cases in Europe and China has been caused by a new variant, namely Omicron BA.2, the minister noted. This variant has also entered Indonesia and has become the dominant variant.

“We are lucky with the condition of the Indonesian people’s immunity which is quite good so that this new variant has not caused a spike in cases,” Sadikin said.

Given the fairly controlled conditions, the government is optimistic that people will be able to carry out their activities more freely, he added.

Based on a serological survey of the Indonesian population for the SARS-CoV-2 virus conducted in November–December 2021, 86.6 percent of the Indonesian population had antibodies against COVID-19.

That means that 86.6 percent of Indonesia’s population had immunity to COVID-19 in that month. However, this number is expected to continue to grow as the government continues to pursue its vaccination program, he said.

The government has allowed citizens to go back to their hometowns during this year’s Eid since the public’s health condition is already adequately protected through vaccinations, the minister added.

“The government feels confident that we can carry out activities more freely,” he said.

The Eid homecoming policy is a follow-up to President Joko Widodo’s directive that people be allowed to go back to their hometowns to enjoy the month of Ramadan and the Eid holidays, he added.

Source: Antara News

Proudly powered by WordPress