Jokowi Emphasizes the Importance of Monitoring Project Developments in IKN After Groundbreaking

PENAJAM, LELEMUKU.COM - President Joko Widodo emphasized the significance of monitoring the progress of several projects that have undergone groundbreaking in the Capital City of the Nation or Ibu Kota Nusantara (IKN). 

He made these remarks during a media briefing on Wednesday, December 20, 2023, after planting trees at the Rehabilitation of Forests and Lands in the Core Area of the Central Government Center (KIPP) in the IKN area, Penajam Paser Utara Regency, East Kalimantan Province.

"The most important thing is that the projects that have undergone groundbreaking show progress, there is development every month. Like the Nusantara Hotel, for example, it is already 34 percent completed. I asked, 'Will it be finished before August?' It will be finished," he stated.

Not stopping in the current year, President Jokowi announced that in January 2024, several other development projects are planned to have their groundbreaking ceremonies in the IKN area.

"In January, we will have another groundbreaking, maybe more than 10 projects will start again," he revealed.

During his statement, the Head of State mentioned an increasing number of domestic investors who continue to invest in IKN, some of whom have collaborated with foreign investors. The President sees this collaboration as a positive development.

"But what is clear is that more investors are coming, local investors, national investors who have partnered with foreigners; I think it will be very good," he added. (Setpres)

Indonesia Focuses on Deep-Sea Research to Unlock Economic Potential

JAYAPURA, LELEMUKU.COM - Deep-sea research is unveiling a wealth of knowledge aimed at tapping into its economic potential while also preserving its ecosystem from damage or extinction. Indonesia, being a maritime nation with two-thirds or 77 percent of its total area consisting of water, is spearheading efforts to explore and understand the depths of its vast marine resources.

According to data from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), out of Indonesia's total 6.4 million square kilometers of water, approximately 4.4 million square kilometers are deep-sea, and the remaining 2 million square kilometers are shallow waters.

This implies that 68 percent of Indonesia's maritime territory consists of deep-sea areas, reaching a minimum depth of 2,000 meters below the surface. 

Despite the economic potential being equally enticing, deep-sea exploration faces challenges due to the lack of light penetrating depths up to 2,000 meters, coupled with high pressure reaching up to 11,000 pounds per square inch (PSI), as acknowledged by Indah Suci Nurhati, Head of the Center for Deep-Sea Research at BRIN.

These conditions have led to limited research activities in these areas. Currently, Indonesia faces constraints in terms of equipment and access to reach deep-sea regions, resulting in the limited exploration of discoveries in these remote waters.

In response to this, BRIN has established the Center for Deep-Sea Research under the Earth and Maritime Research Organization. The aim of deep-sea research is to understand, utilize, and conserve the potential biodiversity in the deep sea, according to Indah Suci, as quoted by Antara.

Through deep-sea research, a wealth of knowledge can be acquired to explore the economic potential that can be developed. This includes efforts to safeguard the ecosystem from deterioration or extinction.

Many enzymes remain undiscovered in the deep sea, with some of the biodiversity in these extreme regions producing enzymes essential for food, health, and pharmaceutical development.

Therefore, the BRIN Deep-Sea Research Center conducts research to monitor various aspects. First, research on the environment to understand the dynamics of life in the deep sea, including current patterns, pressure, and other factors.

Second, research on deep-sea bioprospecting involves scientific efforts to seek and explore local biological and genetic sources. The goal is to turn biodiversity into commercial products, including the exploration and utilization of hydrothermal vent locations and unique and extreme environmental sites.

Third, research on the connectivity between the deep sea, coastal areas, and the land, which have interconnected and mutually influential relationships. To conduct deep-sea research, technological support is crucial to facilitate the collection of data samples.

"Changes that occur in the deep sea come from the surface, such as from the coast, so the problems in the deep sea cannot be separated from the pollution that occurs on the coast and the land, including the presence of, for example, plastic that damages the deep-sea ecosystem," explained Indah Suci.

Specialized equipment is required for deep-sea research. BRIN itself has a fleet of research vessels used for oceanography voyages. Therefore, it is hoped that investments will be made so that research vessels can deploy equipment such as cameras to collect deep-sea data.

"We hope that investments in research vessels can go beyond that, so in the future, research vessels can deploy equipment such as cameras to collect deep-sea data. With the technology of tools and cameras to observe life in the deep sea, we can gain a different perspective than bringing deep-sea biodiversity to the surface," she said.

Meanwhile, Ocky Karna Radjasa, Head of the Earth and Maritime Research Organization at BRIN, stated that the deep sea holds vast potential in terms of natural resources. This includes biodiversity at micro, macro, and molecular scales, as well as barophilic biodiversity capable of surviving in extreme conditions.

Furthermore, it encompasses future food and medicine supplements and economic mineral deposits. "Exploration also needs to be carried out for further utilization of deep-sea biodiversity resources and sustainable deep-sea mining exploration to determine potential hazards," he added. (Setpres)

Papua Province Commemorates 75th National Defense Day with Call for Unity

JAYAPURA, LELEMUKU.COM - In commemoration of the 75th National Defense Day in 2023, the Provincial Government of Papua organized a ceremony attended by civil servants (ASN), military/police personnel, community organizations, and various segments of society on December 19.

The Acting Assistant Secretary for Government Affairs, Yohanes Walilo, S. Sos, M. Si, served as the Ceremony Inspector and delivered the President of the Republic of Indonesia's address. 

He emphasized that every citizen must possess the spirit of National Defense as a fundamental pillar, making individuals resilient and intelligent in facing uncertain situations. The spirit of National Defense is not solely the responsibility of defense forces; it requires active participation from all elements of society. 

In Indonesia, National Defense goes beyond military aspects, encompassing all layers of society in daily life. Through the 75th National Defense Day commemoration in 2023, the people of Indonesia, especially in Papua, are encouraged to continue fostering the spirit of National Defense.

As part of the ceremony, a National Defense Pledge was recited, urging citizens to: Love the homeland, Have a sense of national identity, Be loyal to Pancasila as the state ideology, Be willing to sacrifice for the nation, Possess basic national defense skills.

The recitation aimed to reinforce the importance of these principles in the hearts of citizens and instill a deep sense of responsibility toward the nation.

The commemorative event not only highlighted the historical significance of National Defense but also underscored the collective responsibility of every citizen in building a strong and united nation. The call for unity resonates as a reminder that beyond military might, the strength of a nation lies in the unity and commitment of its people. (DiskominfoPapua)

Strengthening Efforts to Combat Illegal Financial Activities in Papua

JAYAPURA, LELEMUKU.COM - The increase in illegal financial activities, particularly in the form of Online Loans (PINJOL) and online investments, has become a major focus for the Task Force for the Eradication of Illegal Financial Activities (Satgas PASTI) in Papua. A Coordination Meeting held on December 19 highlighted efforts to strengthen and consolidate in the face of this challenge.

Jeri A. Yudianto, Head of the Department of Communication and Informatics of Papua Province and a member of Satgas PASTI Papua, emphasized the importance of digital literacy and financial literacy amidst the massive growth of internet users. 

Social media, being a promising platform for financial activities in the virtual world, is the primary focus of supervision, especially regarding PINJOL offers and online investments.

"PINJOL is a financial instrument that is easy and fast to mobilize the productive sector and SMEs. However, sufficient literacy is needed so that the public is not easily deceived by attractive offers online," stated Jeri during the Coordination Meeting (12/19/2023).

He also issued a specific appeal to Civil Servants (ASN) to be cautious and wise in using PINJOL, considering the risks of being misled and facing payment difficulties.

At the same event, the Head of Indonesia Financial Services Authority (OJK) Papua, Muhammad Ikhsan Hutahaean, presented data illustrating the growth of PINJOL and online investments, along with efforts for prevention and handling.

The number of cases of illegal investment cessation, illegal PINJOL, and illegal pawnshops sharply increased in 2023, reaching 1,641 cases compared to 895 cases the previous year. The losses incurred by the community due to illegal investments from 2017 to 2023 amounted to IDR 139.03 trillion.

Ikhsan urged the public to remain vigilant and provided tips for the prudent use of PINJOL.

"Ensure that PINJOL is registered with OJK, uses loans according to needs and capabilities, and has a good understanding of costs, interest, duration, penalties, and risks," he advised. 

Additionally, he offered tips related to online investments with the 2L principle: Legal and Logical, emphasizing the importance of institutional permits and the clarity of promised results.

The Coordination Meeting of Satgas PASTI Papua was attended by members of the task force, including OJK Papua, the Department of Communication and Informatics of Papua, KPW BI-Papua, Ditreskrimsus POLDA Papua, and other relevant agencies.

All parties agreed to continue working together in efforts to prevent and address illegal financial activities to protect the people of Papua. (DiskominfoPapua)