Day: April 16, 2023

Malang, East Java (ANTARA) - Minister of Tourism and Creative EconomySandiaga Salahuddin Unosays that Indonesia's Chairmanship at the 2023 ASEAN becomes an opportunity to strengthen and promote Indonesia's tourism potential.During his working visit to Malang, East Java, on Sunday, the minister noted that Indonesia's chairmanship is an opportunity to prove that Indonesia's domestic tourism sector is the best in the region. "This is our opportunity to show that our domestic tourism is superior in the ASEAN region," he emphasized. He believes that Indonesia's tourism sector is currently considered superior when compared to other ASEAN member countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines. He said that Indonesia's tourism potential is considered very large. With the very promising potential of the tourism sector, it must become the main focus to revive the Indonesian economy which was previously hit by the pandemic, he added. "Let us focus on our tourism industry for our economic revival and provide economic solutions for the people," he said. Specifically in the Greater Malang area, Uno said there are a number of tourist villages that have been receiving national and international awards with promising potential. One of them is the Pujon Kidul Tourism Village in Malang District, which received the 2021 Indonesian Tourism Village Award (ADWI) for the Inspirational Independent Village Category. There was also Sanankerto Village which won third place in the Tourism Attraction Village category and received appreciation from international forums for its participation in the 5th ASEAN Rural Development and Poverty Eradication Awards in 2022. "Therefore, I also encourage other tourism, not only in East Java but throughout Indonesia, to become a world-class tourism village," he said. s an effort to improve the quality of the tourist village, Unoemphasized that the government will provide assistance to existing tourism and strengthen the promotional effort to optimize its potentials. "We will provide mentoring training and the Indonesian Tourism Village Award program will promote it. With this effort, we hope more tourists will come, both foreign and domestic," he said. On that occasion, the minister visited the Kayutangan Heritage Village in Malang City, one of the 75 Indonesian Tourism Villages in 2023. baca-jugaRelated news: ASEAN nations intensify collaboration for economic revival: Minister Related news: Access to ASEAN air transportation drives Bali's tourism: BPS

Source: Antara News Agency

Involve the corporations. Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Population and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN) encouraged all local governments to immediately provide additional food for pregnant women and children under five years old, ahead of simultaneous children's examinations in August 2023."Spend the budget that has been allocated to expedite the reduction of stunting soon," Head of BKKBN Hasto Wardoyo remarked in a statement on Sunday. In a virtual roadshow for stunting reduction acceleration held in collaboration with the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture, he invited the local governments to use BKKBN's data to improve their stunting reduction program and become more on target. lthough many provinces have smaller stunting prevalence rates than the national rate, which reaches 21.6 percent according to the Indonesian Nutritional Status Survey (SSGI) 2022, the rates in each province may increase again due to poverty. For instance, the stunting prevalence rate in Bangka Belitung Islands Province was recorded at 18.5 percent; however, 0.82 percent of its population lived in poverty, according to Statistics Indonesia's (BPS) data in 2022. Hence, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy also emphasized that the local government should optimize the village fund for handling stunting and extreme poverty. The handling of stunting and extreme poverty greatly depends on the ability of the village heads to manage their village funds to overcome the problems as well as ensure food security, he said. The coordinating minister appealed to the local government to maintain good collaboration with civil servants, the military, police, and private companies in Bangka Belitung Island Province to run the foster parents for stunted children program. "Involve the corporations. I have not heard of any district or city governments (in Bangka Belitung Islands Province) that have involved companies in their respective regions (to run the program). The enterprises should be required to become companies that pay attention to stunting," he remarked. cting Governor of Bangka Belitung IslandsSuganda Pandapotan Pasaribunoted a number of challenges in handling stunting, including the limited capability of program implementers as well as inadequate data quality, management, and utilization. In addition, a number of indicators and targets of ministries and agencies are not aligned with Presidential Regulation Number 72 of 2021 on Stunting Reduction Acceleration, he continued. Hence, his party continues to innovate by implementing various programs, such as Pelita (Care for Mothers, Babies, and Toddlers) Stunting Program in Pangkal Pinang City, Ambong (Assistance and Additional Food Intake for Toddlers and Pregnant Women) in Belitung District, and Hidropenting (Hydroponics for Overcoming Stunting) in Central Bangka District. baca-jugaRelated news: Meat, eggs aid to be disbursed from Apr 15: BapanasRelated news: Optimize four funding sources to tackle stunting, village heads toldRelated news: Vast waters could hinder stunting-eradication efforts: BKKBN

Source: Antara News Agency

Tangerang, West Java (ANTARA) - The number of passengers traveling at Soekarno-Hatta (Soetta) International Airport, Tangerang, on the seventh day ahead of Eid al-Fitr increased by 45 percent compared to last year.Based on data obtained from the 2023 Integrated Eid al-Fitr Transportation Post at Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Tangerang, the total number of passengers on April 15, 2023, was recorded at 142,186 people while the number of passengers on D-7 Eid last year was recorded at 98,227 people. "There has been an increase in the number of passengers because there is no restriction on community mobility (PPKM). The government has also eased rules related to traveling during the COVID-19 pandemic," the Senior Manager of Branch Communication and Legal at Soekarno-Hatta Airport M Holik Muwardisaid in Tangerang, Sunday. In detail, the number of passengers who departed from the airport was recorded at 77,047 people, up 53 percent from the same period last year, which was 50,477 people, he added. Meanwhile, the number of passengers arriving at Soekarno-Hatta Airport on April 15, 2023, was recorded at 65,112 people, or a 36 percent increase from last year's passengers with 47,750 people, he continued. He stated that on the other hand, there was an increase of 20 percent in air traffic. On April 15, 2023, the number of flights was recorded at 1,002 aircraft. While the record number of flights for the same period last year was 837 aircraft. In addition, a total of 500 aircraft departing from Soekarno-Hatta Airport were recorded, an increase of 17 percent from last year's record with 426 aircraft. Meanwhile, 502 aircraft were recorded arriving at Soekarno-Hatta Airport, up 22 percent from last year's total of 411 aircraft, he said. Muwardi said that Soekarno-Hatta Airport has predicted an increase in the number of passengers and traffic during this year's Eid homecoming. Therefore, Soekarno-Hatta Airport has prepared a number of anticipatory steps, for example by re-operating Sub Terminal 1B to avoid passenger overcrowding. part from that, the airport also has strengthened the readiness of supporting facilities and deployed additional security personnel in the terminal area. The additional security personnel also consist of members of the National Police (Polri) and Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) apart from the airport's internal staff, he disclosed. baca-jugaRelated news: andgtaruda Indonesia prepares 1.2 million seats for Eid season Related news: AP II receives 1,016 additional flight requests from airlines

Source: Antara News Agency

After Hannover Messe 2023 is inaugurated on April 16, 2023, more investment cooperation from various companies will continue to enter Indonesia. Hannover, Germany (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto ensured that the preparations of Indonesia as the official partner country at the world's largest industrial technology exhibition, Hannover Messe 2023, had been completed.s quoted from a press release on Sunday, he visited the Indonesian National Pavilion at Hall 2 of the exhibition venue, along with Industry Minister Gumiwang Kartasasmita. They also visited several other halls of the exhibition and the venue of the opening ceremony of the event at the Hannover Congress Center. The opening ceremony will be held on Sunday in Hannover, Germany, at 6:00 p.m. local time. Meanwhile, the exhibition will run from April 17 to 21, 2023. The Indonesian government involves 157 co-exhibitors to promote their products at the pavilion, including business entities, associations, industrial areas, special economic zones, state-owned enterprises (SOEs), lending agencies, ministries, and public institutions. The government chose the theme "Infinite Journey" for the exhibition this year to describe Indonesia's journey towards a limitless future with a spirit of optimism and broad future potential. With this tagline, Indonesia targets that participation in the Hannover Messe 2023 can increase inclusive sustainability, develop technology, and support a circular economy. Kartasasmita, who arrived in Germany on Friday (April 14, 2023), said that he believed that Indonesia could secure a lot of investment cooperation during the implementation of the Hannover Messe 2023. He made the statement after attending the signing of a business-to-business (B2B) cooperation contract worth US$2 billion (Rp30.58 trillion), ahead of the opening of the Hannover Messe 2023. "After Hannover Messe 2023 is inaugurated on April 16, 2023, more investment cooperation from various companies will continue to enter Indonesia," he remarked. The Industry Ministry has highlighted four main targets that Indonesia is keen to achieve at the exhibition. They include presenting the roadmap for Making Indonesia 4.0, fostering industrial cooperation, promoting foreign investment and exports, and improving bilateral relations with the host country of the exhibition, Germany. baca-jugaRelated news: Ministry explores vocational HR cooperation at Hannover Messe 2023Related news: Indonesia to put focus on green energy at Hannover Messe;o:p;/o:p

Source: Antara News Agency

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Population and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN) said that the establishment of an elderly school is an effort to improve the development of senior programs."To realize healthy, independent, active, productive, and dignified (SMART) elderly, they must consistently receive assistance in the spiritual, intellectual, vocational or hobby, social, physical, and mental health, emotional well-being, and environmental aspects," acting head of BKKBN Bengkulu Province Zainin noted in his official statement received here Sunday. Data from Statistics Indonesia (BPS) in 2020 showed the elderly population in the country reached 26.82 million people, or 9.92 percent of Indonesia's population. Thus, Indonesia is approaching an aging population because the number of elderly people has almost exceeded the 10 percent mark, he said. Meanwhile, in Bengkulu, the number of elderly people amounts to 10.06 percent, or 202,273 people out of 2,010,670 residents. The increase in the elderly population nationally is caused by the health and socio-economic development carried out by the Indonesian government, which increases life expectancy, Zainin said. Considering that more elderly people in Indonesia have a low level of education and economy, the government decided to develop various policies as part of its comprehensive efforts to reduce the elderly's burden on the family and society by exploring their potential, he remarked. Zainin addressed the fact that the establishment of an elderly school was carried out by the Elderly Family Development Group program (BKL) and aims to prepare the elderly to become smart individuals. In Bengkulu, there are four elderly schools located in Kepahiang, North Bengkulu, and Seluma districts. Meanwhile, the fourth elderly school, which was recently inaugurated on April 13, is located in the Rejang Lebong district, he informed. "The elderly school program also aims to address the challenges of the fast aging process." "The government is anticipating the aging process, especially to help those who come from low-income families," he said. In addition, head of Rejang Lebong district Syamsul Effendi hopes that with the increasing number of schools for the elderly, they will become productive in their old age. baca-jugaRelated news: andgtovt formulating policy to ensure independent elderly populationRelated news: Data integration aids in eradicating extreme poverty in elderly: BKKBNRelated news: Eight provinces experiencing population aging: BKKBN

Source: Antara News Agency

Kapuas Hulu (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) has built a small-scale facility (PESK) for processing gold without mercury in Geruguk Village, Boyan Tanjung Sub-district, Kapuas Hulu District, West Kalimantan Province."We are grateful for the construction of the PESK facility by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry. In this way, the Kapuas Hulu local government has contributed to the action of the regional plan for mercury reduction," Kapuas Hulu district head Fransiskus Diaan said in Putussibau Kapuas Hulu on Saturday. The Kapuas Hulu local government and the director general of waste, hazardous, and toxic materials management at the Ministry of LHK signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) and work agreement related to gold processing without mercury in Jakarta on Friday (April 14, 2023). ccording to Diaan, the three largest gold mines in Kapuas Hulu are in Boyan Tanjung, Bunut Hilir, and Bunut Hulu Sub-districts. Kehatilab consultant team has also conducted environmental studies in three villages, which are part of the largest community mining clusters in Boyan Tanjung sub-district, namely Teluk Geruguk, Nanga Boyan, and Landau MentailVillages. With gold mining activities currently taking place in the area, Diaan expressed concern over the possibility of environmental pollution in the future due to the use of chemicals and the waste generated during the mining process. He said, in the past, gold mining activities were done manually, using equipment such as hoes and traditional gold pans, which were done on the mainland, but now, gold mining is being done on the banks of rivers and even in the middle of rivers using driftwood and suction machines or pumps. "The results of testing environmental samples is very important information for us to find out the environmental conditions of gold mining in our area so that it becomes a material for our consideration in monitoring and coaching miners in the area," he said. Therefore, it is hoped that the community will take advantage of the PESK facility built by the Ministry of LHK, which aims to reduce the risk of chemicals in the hope that gold mining activities would not involve the use of mercury. baca-jugaRelated news: West Sumatra police's special team formed to examine mining permitsRelated news: Support govt policy to check illegal tin mining: DPR

Source: Antara News Agency

We hope that the toll road (fare) discount offered by the highway operator can be used by people who have (more) flexible time to go home earlier or return later, Jakarta (ANTARA) - Five toll Road Business Entities (BUJTs) provide discounts on toll rates during the 2023 Eid Al-Fitr exodus period for five highways, the Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Ministry has said.PUPR Ministry spokesperson Endra S Atmawidjajasaid in a press release received on Sunday that discounts are expected to reduce traffic jams during the homecoming and returning period of the Islamic holiday. The government had scheduled a joint leave period for 1444 Hijri Eid Al-Fitr on April 19-25, 2023, as the holy day is estimated to fall on April 22, 2023. Discounts are provided to encourage even distribution of traffic flow at the beginning and end of the holiday period without reducing the quality of toll road services, thespokesperson said. "We hope that the toll road (fare) discount offered by the highway operators can be used by people who have (more) flexible time to go home earlier or return later," he continued. State-owned BUJT PT Jasa Marga gives a 20 percent discount on the route from the Cikampek Main Toll Gate to the Kalihurip Utama Toll Gate, or vice versa, of the Jakarta-Cikampek Highway on April 16-17 and April 27-29. 20 percent discount is also provided for all types of vehicles byPT Hutama Karya on the Bakauheni-Terbanggi Besar section of the Trans-Sumatra Toll Road on April 16-18 and April 26-28, 2023. Furthermore, PT Waskita Sriwijaya Tol, a subsidiary of state-owned BUJT PT Waskita Toll Road offers a 20 percent discount for all vehicle categories on April 16-18 and April 27-29, 2023, inKayu Agung-Palembang-Betung Toll Road. nother subsidiary of PT Waskita Toll Road, PT Cibitung Tanjung Priok Port Tollways, provides highway fare discount at the Cibitung-Cilincing Toll Road on April 14-30, 2023. The company gives a 15 percent discount for Class I vehicles, 44 percent discount for Class II and III vehicles, as well as 58 percent discount for Class IV and V. Meanwhile, PT Marga Mandalasakti or ASTRA Infra Toll Road Tangerang-Merak offers a discount of 20 percent on the Tangerang-Merak Highway on April 16-18 and April 27-28, 2023. baca-jugaRelated news: Eid exodus: Police readies posts on arterial roads for motorcyclists Related news: Eid exodus likely to peak in phases: Jakarta Police;o:p;/o:p

Source: Antara News Agency

Nearly 4.24 million people travelled to tourism destinations across the country on April 15, the second day of Khmer New Year holiday, according to a report of the Ministry of Tourism issued this afternoon.

The figure showed an increase of 101.94 percent compared to the first day, read the report, adding that of the total registered number, more than 4.2 million were national tourists and the rest were foreigners.

Siem Reap province topped the list of destinations receiving 653,679 tourists, followed by Kampong Cham and Kampot provinces with 515,129 with 404,058 visitors, respectively.

Cambodian people are celebrating their traditional New Year, the Year of Rabbit, from April 14 to 16.

Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse