The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) suspends the financing of isolation services for asymptomatic Covid-19 patients as well as the accommodation of health workers. They owe Rp140 billion to hotel networks, which are still reeling from the pandemic.

More people continue to be victimized by the Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) Law. Three government institutions issued a joint decree as a temporary solution.

News summary of the week

The Covid-19 pandemic has changed Indonesia’s demographics affecting the trends in the capital market. Indonesia Stock Exchange’s Commissioner Pandu Patria Sjahrir says enthusiasm of millennial and Gen Z investors has risen phenomenally during the pandemic. Since 2016, the number of young investors has grown to over 1.8 million with those aged 28 and below making up the highest increase. The rapid development of the digital technologies has opened the floodgates for tech companies and start-ups. One of the sectors most sought after by foreign investors is financial technology (fintech). Pandu, a businessman and an investor, who is also the chairman of Indonesian Fintech Association, says that in future fintech companies will not just focus on consumer lending but increase productive loans to support micro, small and medium enterprises through peer-to-peer lending.

Yopie Hidayat (Contributor)

Faye Simanjuntak sets up Rumah Faye focusing on rescuing Indonesian children from human trafficking, violence, and exploitation. She uses her privileged background for good deeds.

Letters from the readers

The government’s plan to use ivermectin as Covid-19 medication sparks controversy. The health ministry will conduct clinical testing on the medicine which is officially used to treat intestinal worms.

Cartoon: Imam Yunni

The rapid increase in the number of Covid-19 cases in Indonesia is proof of the weaknesses in the system to control the pandemic. There is a problem of leadership.

The gods make unnecessary laws because they do not know mortality. A king on earth makes laws, even if they are not good because he is human—he must protect life that is contingent. 

BADUNG Regency Police and Public Order officers stop motorists that violate health protocols during a Micro-scale Public Activity Restrictions (PPKM) operation in Canggu village, Badung, Bali, Friday, June 25. The joint task force team took action against 18 foreigners from various countries in order to give a deterrent effect as well as to enforce health protocols among the public. ANTARA/Nyoman Hendra Wibowo

SOUTHEAST Asia has faced numerous human rights violations and abuses, ranging from the worst crimes against the Rohingya and other religious and ethnic minorities in Myanmar to extra-judicial killings in the Philippines under President Duterte’s administration. Many enforced disappearances have also occurred across the region, along with violence against human rights and democracy defenders, attacks on freedom of religion and belief, freedom of expression, and some other incidents. 

It does not mean the region has no institution that addresses human rights issues. Since 2009, member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have had the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights or AICHR. But critics said this body has been ineffective and ‌incapable of protecting human rights in the region. 

To commemorate the International Human Rights Day on December 10, TEMPO TALKS presents Yuyun Wahyuningrum, the representative of Indonesia to AICHR who will explain about human rights problems in the region and how her organization addresses the issue on TEMPO TALKS