Indonesia Highlights: Jokowi Stands Up for Developing Economies | Rizieq Shihab Receives a Warning | Rohingyas Trafficked in Indonesia End Up in Malaysia

KOMPAS.com – Indonesian President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo’s G20 appearance featured issues on economic recovery and healthcare funding amid a crucial time in global politics.

In his speech during this year’s virtual G20 Summit, Jokowi expressed how the world is anxiously awaiting the results of the event which gathers the most powerful economies in the world, including Indonesia.

Nevertheless, the Indonesian President used the global platform to remind G20 leaders about providing equal access to a Covid-19 vaccine should the world economy seek a speedy recovery.

In other news, Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) leader Rizieq Shihab has been warned by the country’s Ombudsman body to pay attention to what he advocates given that he is a public figure in the country.

The leader of the radical Islamic group has managed to drive news coverage since his return to Indonesia earlier this month though mostly for stirring up trouble.

In Indonesia’s Aceh region, the Indonesian National Police and the Indonesian Military caught three suspects involved in the human trafficking of Rohingya refugees.

Their apprehension has allowed law enforcement officials in the country to extract information regarding the payments involved in the trafficking of the world’s most persecuted minorities.

More details on today’s Indonesia news are highlighted below:

1. Jokowi Highlights Economic Recovery and Covid-19 Vaccine to G20 Leaders

The Indonesian President reminded G20 leaders that the world will not recover unless all countries have recovered from the coronavirus pandemic, according to Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi.

For this reason, Jokowi underscored the importance of having equal access to a Covid-19 vaccine without exceptions.

In the context of the world economy, Jokowi stated that developing countries need fiscal space to enhance their chances of an economic recovery post-pandemic.

Based on UNCTAD data, the organization has requested funding of $2.5 trillion to support developing countries’ economic recovery plans.

Debt restructuring is another key measure for post-pandemic recovery of emerging markets and countries with a low-income status moving in line with debt management measures.

Jokowi has specifically called for debt restructuring to be offered by the biggest lenders.

This year’s G20 Summit was hosted by Saudi Arabia with the theme entitled “Realizing Opportunities of the 21st Century for All” and is being held on November 21-22, 2020.

Source: https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2020/11/22/10074591/di-ktt-g20-jokowi-tekankan-pemulihan-kesehatan-dan-ekonomi-negara-terdampak?page=all#page2 

MUHAMMAD IQBAL

2. Rizieq Shihab Receives Warning by Indonesia’s Ombudsman

A member of the Indonesian Ombudsman, Alamsyah Saragih, reminded FPI leader Rizieq Shihab to pay attention to the things he says to the public and even suggested that he self-reflect.

According to Alamsyah, Indonesia’s elite have an integral role in society thus the words expressed or advocated by those individuals have bearing on the Indonesian people.

However, their social function is commonly the most ignored aspect among Indonesia’s elite be it religious, political, or public figures.

As such, individuals with an influential role in a society like Rizieq should be cautious in their public expression and not flame the fires of any situation.

Source: https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2020/11/22/13573621/anggota-ombudsman-ri-ingatkan-rizieq-shihab-untuk-hati-hati-berbicara 

3. The Cost of Trafficking Rohingya Refugees in Indonesia

Three suspects accused of trafficking Rohingya refugees in Indonesia from their camps have been caught in the city of Lhokseumawe in Aceh.

One suspect from Tangerang was offered Rp 6 million for every Rohingya refugee he can successfully traffic away from Aceh from their refugee camp.

The 45-year-old suspect was caught in the refugee camp and said that he was offered monetary benefits from a Malaysian citizen.

Another suspect, a 25-year-old from Medan, was offered Rp 1 million by their aunt for every Rohingya they could bring away from the camp.

The third suspect, a 20-year-old also from Medan, was given an incentive of Rp 2 million per refugee he could successfully retrieve.

The Aceh police said that once the Rohingya refugees have escaped the camp facilitated by the suspects, they would then be brought to Malaysia.

All three suspects are in police custody and could face a five-year prison sentence.

Source: https://regional.kompas.com/read/2020/11/22/18102021/terungkap-nilai-upah-yang-diberikan-untuk-penyelundup-warga-rohingya