Indonesia Highlights: Indonesia Begins Mass Covid-19 Jab Drive | Doctor in the Indonesian Province of Papua Self-Injects Covid-19 Vaccine | Jokowi Nominates Only One Name for Police Chief

KOMPAS.com – The much-awaited mass Covid-19 inoculation program began on Wednesday, January 13.

The first person who received the Chinese-made Covid-19 vaccine was President Joko Widodo followed by the top military, police, and medical officials as well as religious leaders.

Besides, a health care worker, businesspeople, and a social media influencer also received the shot.

Meanwhile, in Papua, a doctor has injected himself with the vaccine. Dr. Aaron Rumainum, a medical worker in the provincial capital Jayapura, jabbed the Sinovac vaccine into his upper left arm to convince the people that the vaccine is safe.

Below are excerpts from the stories in Indonesia, curated by Kompas.com editors:

1. Indonesia Begins Mass Covid-19 Jab Drive

Indonesia’s President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on Wednesday received the first shot of the Covid-19 vaccine produced by China’s Sinovax, marking the start of the mass Covid-19 inoculation program in the country.

Held in Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, Jokowi had his body temperature and blood pressure checked first.

“How is your blood pressure so far?” A presidential doctor asked.

“I’m not sure because I have not checked it for a long time,” the president said, laughing.

The doctor said Jokowi had a normal body temperature at 36.3 degrees Celcius, while his blood pressure was at 130/67 mm Hg.

After Jokowi, top military, police, and medical officials as well as religious leaders also received shots. Besides, a health care worker and a social media influencer also received the vaccine.

It was previously reported that the Covid-19 jab drive aims to vaccinate about 182 million people or 70 percent of the total population after Indonesia authorized the vaccine for emergency use on January 14, with an efficacy rate of 65.3 percent.

Source: https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2021/01/13/09515011/sebelum-disuntik-vaksin-covid-19-jokowi-diperiksa-suhu-dan-tekanan-darah.

2. Doctor in the Indonesian Province of Papua Self-Injects Covid-19 Vaccine

KOMPAS.COM/DHIAS SUWANDI Covid-19 vaccine volunteer Dr. Aaron Rumainum self-injects Sinovacs Covavax vaccine in Jayapura, Papua, Wednesday (13/1/2021)

An Indonesian doctor volunteering for the Covid-19 vaccine drive in the Indonesian province of Papua has taken practicing what he preached to new levels after he injected himself with the vaccine.

Dr. Aaron Rumainum, a medical worker in the provincial capital Jayapura, jabbed the Sinovac Covavax vaccine into his upper left arm on Wednesday, January 13, to “dispel any skepticism about the vaccine, and convince the public, particularly naysayers, that the vaccine is safe.”

“I am all too aware of the controversy and fears surrounding the vaccine and its potential side effects,” Aaron said.

“I took the initiative to self-inject the vaccine to be an example to my fellow medical workers, and to help them overcome their reservations and fears about the vaccine's safety and efficacy.”

He denied that the self-vaccination stunt was an attempt to gain publicity or popularity. “I am not a hero, I still treat and interact with Covid-19 patients, and I do not know when the Covid-19 pandemic will end,” Aaron asserted.

“I think that its best I get vaccinated so that in case anything happens, it happens to me and not to the local military commander, the mayor [of Jayapura] and other officials, much less get in the way of their jobs.”

“And besides, the vaccine is free, though I have no idea what the side effects might be. As a vaccinator, this is only a day in the life for me,” he noted with a laugh.

Source: https://go.kompas.com/read/2021/01/13/231757274/doctor-in-the-indonesian-province-of-papua-self-injects-covid-19-vaccine.

3. Jokowi Nominates Only One Name for Police Chief

Dok. Divisi Humas Polri Commissioner General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, National Police?s Criminal Investigation Department (Bareskrim) chief speaks at his office building on Tuesday, December 15, 2020.

President Joko Widodo has nominated Commissioner General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, the National Police’s Criminal Investigation Department (Bareskrim) head, to become the next Police chief.

The name of Listyo, the only candidate for the Police chief, has been submitted to the House of Representatives on Wednesday, January 13. Listyo is Jokowi’s former adjutant.

Listyo’s nomination has been confirmed by House Speaker Puan Maharani in a press conference held at the Parliament building in Senayan, Jakarta on Wednesday.

“Surpres [presidential letter] has been received,” Puan said.

The House of Representatives will process the presidential letter in 20 days.

Listyo is expected to replace Police chief General Idham Azis who will retire on February 1.

Source: https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2021/01/13/11501221/komjen-listyo-sigit-prabowo-jadi-calon-tunggal-kapolri-pilihan-jokowi.