Latest news with #TheJakartaPost
The Star
13 hours ago
- Health
- The Star
Indonesia mobilises cross-border efforts to combat malaria in Papua
Papua New Guinea accounts for 26.4 percent of all malaria cases in the Asia Pacific. - Antara via The Jakarta Post/ANN JAKARTA: Amid the geographical and social complexities of Papua, new hope emerges through the formation of the Papua Malaria Consortium, a cross-sector strategic alliance born from the commitment of governors and the support of stakeholders to accelerate malaria elimination. "If we want Indonesia to be malaria-free, Papua is the key," said Indonesian Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin during a press conference on Tuesday (June 17), held on the sidelines of the 9th Asia Pacific Leaders' Summit on Malaria Elimination in Bali, which brought together over 250 participants from 23 countries and regions and international organisations. He and Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Ribka Haluk led a meeting with six governors from across Papua to develop a more targeted, cross-sector strategy. Papua, the easternmost region of Indonesia, accounts for over 93 per cent of the country's total malaria cases and has now become the epicentre of Indonesia's fight to eliminate the disease. According to Budi, elimination in Papua is not only a health target but also a step toward achieving social justice and strengthening an inclusive health system. Sarthak Das, chief executive officer of the Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance, expressed support for Indonesia's move to prioritise Papua in malaria elimination efforts. "Strong local leadership and cross-country collaboration are key to achieving the Asia Pacific region's malaria-free target by 2030," he said. This local commitment is also reinforced by the Bilateral Joint Action Plan signed between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea on Monday. The cross-border cooperation framework aims to ensure that malaria control efforts are carried out in an integrated and equitable manner in areas that are geographically and epidemiologically interconnected. Papua New Guinea accounts for 26.4 percent of all malaria cases in the Asia Pacific. Therefore, Das added, Indonesia's ability to gain control in Papua would be a vital signal that similar success is possible in Papua New Guinea. The Global Fund, one of the key funding partners, affirmed its commitment to supporting Indonesia's efforts focused on malaria elimination in Papua. "I acknowledge the significant progress made by Indonesia in its fight against malaria, and the Global Fund is fully committed to supporting its partners in the region to combat and eliminate malaria across the Asia Pacific," said Peter Sands, executive director of the Global Fund. Sands also welcomed the launch of "Indonesia's Call to End Malaria" at the high-level forum, a national initiative to push for comprehensive malaria elimination. Indonesia's efforts go beyond commitment. The government is expanding the distribution of bed nets, strengthening surveillance systems, increasing the number and capacity of local health workers, and implementing community-based approaches that respect local Papuan wisdom, alongside treatment and vaccine development. Although challenges remain, especially in terms of geographical access, climate change, and population mobility, these joint efforts show that malaria elimination is no longer a distant dream. With strong political will, international support, and data-driven strategies, Papua could become an inspiring malaria elimination success story for the region. - Xinhua
The Star
4 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Indonesia sees no further need to send delegation to US for trade talks
JAKARTA: The government currently sees no need to send another delegation to the United States for the negotiations on tariffs as it believes it has made its case for open bilateral trade and says the ball is now in the US' court. Coordinating Economic Minister Airlangga Hartarto (pic), who helmed an Indonesian delegation dispatched to Washington, DC, in April, said in a press conference on Friday (June 13) that the documents submitted to his US counterparts were 'already relatively comprehensive' and that what was left was 'the [US] decision.' Asked whether Jakarta's negotiators would visit the US for a second round of top-level talks as US import tariffs loom over Indonesian exports, the minister replied: 'So far, no, because it's already deemed complete.' That contrasts with statements from June 6, when Airlangga said the team would depart to the US around this week. The decision not to send another trade mission comes after President Prabowo Subianto received a 15-minute phone call from US President Donald Trump on Thursday night, in which the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to global stability, according to Jakarta. The topic of the phone call included the two presidents seeing eye to eye on 'increasing bilateral cooperation between Indonesia and the US', said Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya in a press statement on Friday. The US Embassy in Jakarta declined to respond when asked about Jakarta's decision not to send a delegation, while the Office of the US Trade Representative, which spearheads Washington's side in the tariff negotiations, was not immediately available for comment. Monday marked the 56th day since Airlangga said on April 18 that both sides had agreed to conclude the negotiations within 60 days, before a grace period expires that the US granted Jakarta to try and stave off a 32 per cent import tariff on Indonesian goods shipped to the US. Trump announced the suspension on April 9, mere hours after the policy became effective, making July 9 the deadline by which dozens of countries need to conclude negotiations with Washington, or risk steep tariffs. Edi Prio Pambudi, an undersecretary for coordinating economic cooperation and investment at Airlangga's office, told The Jakarta Post last week that Indonesia was 'awaiting America's response'. Edi said the two sides had engaged in dialogue to follow up on the initial Indonesian trade delegation but admitted the previously agreed 60-day target to wrap up those talks was uncertain, noting: 'Who can guess what President Trump might do? Let's wait; the US is the one to decide the time limit. The ball is in their court.' The United Kingdom is the only country to have secured a tariff deal with the US so far, which was signed just a month after Trump had issued the reciprocal tariffs. Others are playing hard to get, like the European Union, which said on Monday that the trade talks with Washington were now focussing on the details but there was no guarantee of a deal. Japan also appears to be holding out, with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba last week stating: 'We won't compromise Japan's interests by prioritising a quick deal', according to Bloomberg. Bank Permata chief economist Josua Pardede told the Post on Monday that Indonesia did not have the privilege to adopt a similar stance, as doing so risked creating new uncertainties. 'At present, Indonesia is not in a particularly strong position, as it is already contending with a weakening domestic economy. Therefore, policy decisions that enhance certainty are essential in mitigating the adverse effects of global uncertainty,' said Josua. While the US itself was facing economic challenges from the tariff policy, such as inflationary pressure and market backlash, 'Indonesia's current position is equally, if not more, vulnerable,' since the archipelago is grappling with current account and fiscal deficits, said Josua. Washington has pointed to its trade deficit as justification for double-digit levies placed on goods from dozens of countries in what it calls 'reciprocal' measures. The main concessions Jakarta had offered consist of importing more US-made products, exclusive tariff cuts and deregulation to benefit US companies. Indonesia has also presented a prospective US$2 billion investment in a blue ammonia project in the US state of Louisiana as a concession, even though that investment would come from Indorama, a private company rooted in Indonesia. Economist Intelligence Unit analyst Wen Chong Cheah told the Post on Wednesday that the concessions Jakarta offered were 'very generous' but had yielded 'insignificant progress' in the negotiations. 'The delay suggests Indonesia is not a current priority. [...] The negotiation with Indonesia may be perceived as less urgent from the US perspective, especially if the US is focused on larger geopolitical or trade wins,' said Cheah. - The Jakarta Post/ANN
The Star
7 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Indonesia's President Prabowo receives call from Trump ahead of Russia visit
INDONESIA: President Prabowo Subianto received a 15-minute phone call from United States President Donald Trump (pic) on Thursday (June 12) evening, during which both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and supporting global stability, just days before Prabowo is set to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. "As leaders of two major countries, President Prabowo and President Trump agreed to deepen cooperation between Indonesia and the US,' Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya said in a statement on Friday (June 13). 'Both reiterated their support for efforts to maintain global peace and stability'. The call marked the second conversation between the two presidents since Trump's re-election in 2024. They last spoke in November, when Prabowo congratulated Trump on his victory. Thursday's call came ahead of Prabowo's state visit to Moscow, where he is scheduled to meet Putin on Wednesday. The visit coincides with the 75th anniversary of Indonesia-Russia diplomatic relations and is expected to result in a joint declaration and at least three memorandums of understanding (MoUs) on cooperation. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Rolliansyah Soemirat confirmed that the president would not attend the Group of Seven (G7) Summit in Canada on Tuesday, citing a scheduling conflict. Prabowo is set to travel to Singapore on Monday before continuing on to Russia. Rolliansyah noted that the Moscow visit had been planned since 2024. Prabowo's diplomatic balancing act comes amid escalating tensions between Washington and Moscow over Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine. Trump recently described Putin as 'crazy' for intensifying attacks on Ukrainian cities, warning that such aggression could lead to Russia's downfall. Despite the geopolitical strain, Prabowo has maintained Jakarta's ties with Moscow, particularly in trade and defense procurement. He also held talks with Putin last year, ahead of his presidential inauguration in October. - The Jakarta Post/ANN
The Sun
7 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Human qualities remain core of journalism in AI era
KUALA LUMPUR: Human qualities must remain the central focus in the adaptation and use of artificial intelligence (AI) in newsrooms to ensure that the integrity and core values of journalism are preserved. Astro Awani editor-in-chief Ashwad Ismail said that while AI brings greater convenience and efficiency to newsroom operations, it cannot replace the role of journalists as storytellers and custodians of truth. 'Technological advancements are important, but the foundation must remain rooted in human qualities. The core philosophy is how AI can enhance our qualities as journalists and improve the journalism we produce,' he said. 'This technology will come and go, but what truly strengthens us is our core philosophy - our people and the quality of our journalism,' he said when appearing as a guest on the Bernama TV's Ruang Bicara programme titled 'Kewartawanan Era Baharu: Keseimbangan AI dan Etika' (Journalism in the New Era: Embracing AI, Safeguarding Ethics), held in conjunction with the National Journalists Day (HAWANA) 2025 celebration last night. Also featured on the programme were The Jakarta Post editor-in-chief Taufiq Rahman and media expert Sayed Munawar Sayed Mohd Mustar. Ashwad emphasised that the integration of AI in journalism must be guided by clear ethical principles to ensure it remains aligned with the profession's core mission, truth and social responsibility. 'When we acknowledge that there must always be a man behind the machine, it becomes clear that strong principles and proper guidance are essential in how we approach, use, and even embrace AI,' he said. Meanwhile, Taufiq noted that while AI can serve as a valuable tool for tasks like data compilation and document processing, editorial decisions must ultimately remain in human hands to preserve the integrity of news judgment. 'Media is an industry of truth. What we report, what we write, is all about the truth. I still doubt whether AI today is capable of fully understanding the nuance or subtlety in journalistic content,' Taufiq said. He added that in Indonesia, the Dewan Pers (Press Council) issued guidelines on the use of AI in journalism in January, which among other things, emphasise the importance of labelling AI-generated content to ensure transparency. 'If a news item, photo, or video is produced by AI, it must be clearly labelled. We cannot mislead the public by presenting it as the work of journalists,' he said. While acknowledging that some media organisations still operate with basic equipment, he stressed that this should not be seen as a disadvantage, but rather as a testament to their commitment to uphold ethical principles that have been the foundation of journalism for centuries. Meanwhile, Sayed Munawar noted that journalistic ethics remain as relevant as ever, even in the rapidly evolving era of AI, as ethics themselves are not new, only the context of their application has shifted with technological progress. 'Ethics is still a relevant issue. What has changed is the context, such as the balance between privacy and intrusion. Now we face the question of AI, but the core ethical principles remain unchanged. With AI, processes may become faster, more accurate, and better guided. 'If it is a tool, AI remains just that, a tool. Like an axe, it won't function without someone wielding it. But what AI lacks is wisdom. The real question is how far we want to use this tool, and for what purpose. Even a blunt axe can be used as a hammer, that's creativity,' Sayed Munawar added. The three-day HAWANA 2025 celebration, which runs until tomorrow, is organised by the Ministry of Communications, with the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) serving as the implementing agency. The HAWANA 2025 celebration's main event will be officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL) today. The date May 29 was gazetted as National Journalists' Day to commemorate the publication of the first edition of 'Utusan Melayu' newspaper on May 29, 1939, honouring the contributions and services of media professionals as vital agents in shaping an informed society.
The Sun
7 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
AI in Newsrooms Must Uphold Ethics, Say Media Experts
KUALA LUMPUR: Human qualities must remain the central focus in the adaptation and use of artificial intelligence (AI) in newsrooms to ensure that the integrity and core values of journalism are preserved. Astro Awani editor-in-chief Ashwad Ismail said that while AI brings greater convenience and efficiency to newsroom operations, it cannot replace the role of journalists as storytellers and custodians of truth. 'Technological advancements are important, but the foundation must remain rooted in human qualities. The core philosophy is how AI can enhance our qualities as journalists and improve the journalism we produce,' he said. 'This technology will come and go, but what truly strengthens us is our core philosophy - our people and the quality of our journalism,' he said when appearing as a guest on the Bernama TV's Ruang Bicara programme titled 'Kewartawanan Era Baharu: Keseimbangan AI dan Etika' (Journalism in the New Era: Embracing AI, Safeguarding Ethics), held in conjunction with the National Journalists Day (HAWANA) 2025 celebration last night. Also featured on the programme were The Jakarta Post editor-in-chief Taufiq Rahman and media expert Sayed Munawar Sayed Mohd Mustar. Ashwad emphasised that the integration of AI in journalism must be guided by clear ethical principles to ensure it remains aligned with the profession's core mission, truth and social responsibility. 'When we acknowledge that there must always be a man behind the machine, it becomes clear that strong principles and proper guidance are essential in how we approach, use, and even embrace AI,' he said. Meanwhile, Taufiq noted that while AI can serve as a valuable tool for tasks like data compilation and document processing, editorial decisions must ultimately remain in human hands to preserve the integrity of news judgment. 'Media is an industry of truth. What we report, what we write, is all about the truth. I still doubt whether AI today is capable of fully understanding the nuance or subtlety in journalistic content,' Taufiq said. He added that in Indonesia, the Dewan Pers (Press Council) issued guidelines on the use of AI in journalism in January, which among other things, emphasise the importance of labelling AI-generated content to ensure transparency. 'If a news item, photo, or video is produced by AI, it must be clearly labelled. We cannot mislead the public by presenting it as the work of journalists,' he said. While acknowledging that some media organisations still operate with basic equipment, he stressed that this should not be seen as a disadvantage, but rather as a testament to their commitment to uphold ethical principles that have been the foundation of journalism for centuries. Meanwhile, Sayed Munawar noted that journalistic ethics remain as relevant as ever, even in the rapidly evolving era of AI, as ethics themselves are not new, only the context of their application has shifted with technological progress. 'Ethics is still a relevant issue. What has changed is the context, such as the balance between privacy and intrusion. Now we face the question of AI, but the core ethical principles remain unchanged. With AI, processes may become faster, more accurate, and better guided. 'If it is a tool, AI remains just that, a tool. Like an axe, it won't function without someone wielding it. But what AI lacks is wisdom. The real question is how far we want to use this tool, and for what purpose. Even a blunt axe can be used as a hammer, that's creativity,' Sayed Munawar added. The three-day HAWANA 2025 celebration, which runs until tomorrow, is organised by the Ministry of Communications, with the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) serving as the implementing agency. The HAWANA 2025 celebration's main event will be officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL) today. The date May 29 was gazetted as National Journalists' Day to commemorate the publication of the first edition of 'Utusan Melayu' newspaper on May 29, 1939, honouring the contributions and services of media professionals as vital agents in shaping an informed society.
