Indonesia Highlights: Jakarta Vice-Governor Makes a Christmas Wish | Soekarno-Hatta Airport Crowded with Holidaygoers | Israeli Relations a Suicide Mission for the Indonesian Govt

2. Passengers Flock Indonesia’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport

Indonesia’s main airport, Soekarno-Hatta International Airport was busy as passenger and flight traffic skyrocketed with holiday-goers who sought to travel.

Senior Manager of Branch Communication and Legal of Angkasa Pura II, Haerul Anwar stated that the company recorded nearly 900 domestic flights for travelers heading back to their hometowns between Dec. 23-24.

The rise in the number of passengers taking to the skies and traveling around this year-end holiday indicates how the government’s advice has fallen on deaf ears.

The Indonesian government cautioned the public to avoid any travel as historically, Covid-19 cases surged after a long-holiday though such warnings have clearly been ignored.

Source: https://megapolitan.kompas.com/read/2020/12/25/17154741/penumpang-di-bandara-soekarno-hatta-meningkat-meski-pandemi-covid-19 

3. Indonesia Would Be on “Suicide Mission” If Diplomatic Relations with Israel Begins

Earlier this week, the US government offered Indonesia Rp 28T to open diplomatic relations with Israel.

The Indonesian government has since staunchly asserted that it is not interested in the offer.

University of Indonesia Headmaster, Hikmahanto Juwana is confident that Indonesia will never forge diplomatic relations with Israel as the move would be a suicide mission.

Hikmahanto explained that there are several ways the Indonesian government would be affected if it extends its arm to Israel.

One of the reasons which he stated was the strong feeling of sympathy and solidarity towards Palestine among Indonesia’s predominantly Muslim society.

Source: https://megapolitan.kompas.com/read/2020/12/25/17004521/pengamat-pemerintah-indonesia-bunuh-diri-jika-buka-hubungan-diplomatik