January 25, 2021 edition
A number of PDI-P’s elite members allegedly benefiting from the social affairs ministry’s aid project meant for people impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. With several businessmen in their pockets, the party’s officials received quotas of millions of packages. Puan Maharani’s name is mentioned in the investigation.
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More Cover Story articles in other editions
January 18, 2021 edition
The government is attempting to expedite mass vaccinations to alleviate the pandemic’s great economic burden. Vice President Ma’ruf Amin asks the Indonesian Ulemas Council to quickly issue an edict for the vaccine. But mass vaccinations are being held back by technical issues and inadequate cold chain facilities. Rejection toward the vaccine is emerging in various regions.
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January 11, 2021 edition
The plan to ban the Islam Defenders Front (FPI) emerged after Rizieq Shihab’s return from Saudi Arabia. President Joko Widodo is said to be the one who wanted the organization disbanded. Jokowi received input from businesses to improve the investment climate. FPI’s political power is considered as weakening.
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January 4, 2021 edition
The government wishes to reform tourism facilities in the Komodo National Park in West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara, by working with private investors. Islands that are home to the Komodo dragon and yellow-crested cockatoo will be polished for premium wildlife safari, like those in Africa. The membership fee will be US$1,000, or Rp14.5 million per person, with the number of tourists limited to 50,000 annually. Without the blessing of the United Nations and a study on the venture’s impact on endangered species, not to mention the plan to relocate businesses owned by local communities, the public works and people’s housing ministry is building roads on Rinca Island. One company has even begun building an office on Padar Island. This arrangement also alters one island’s spatial plan by encroaching into its public space.
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December 27, 2020 edition
Indonesia’s efforts to mitigate the Covid-19 pandemic have continued to teeter since the disease began spreading in the country in March. The implementation of test-tracing-treatment (‘3T’) that falls far below the World Health Organization (WHO) standards has caused new, increasingly uncontrollable transmission chains. The pandemic rages on, and victims continue to fall. Amid these uncertain conditions, those fighting against Covid-19 stand in the front lines. Contact tracers, laboratory analysts, doctors and nurses, scientists and epidemiologists work hand in hand to curb the spread of the disease. These individuals work hard in spite of various limitations. Often enough, lives are lost.
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December 22, 2020 edition
Social Affairs Minister Juliari Batubara’s team members are allegedly collecting fees from companies appointed to provide social aid packages. Newly established companies were appointed by the team. The social aid project is said to be controlled by a number of politicians and state officials. There is indication that some of the money went to regional head candidates from the PDI-P.
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December 14, 2020 edition