Indonesia Highlights: Indian Covid-19 Variant Detected in Indonesia, Says Health Minister | Indonesia Arrests Ex-Hardline Group Islamic Defenders Front Secretary-General | Only 11 Percent Seniors Have

KOMPAS.com – The Indonesian government has stepped up the efforts to monitor the spread of coronavirus in the country after it detected 10 confirmed cases of a new coronavirus variant, which was first found in India.

Indonesian anti-terror police from Detachment 88 (Densus 88) arrested Munarman, former secretary-general of the now-defunct militant group Islamic Defenders Front or known by its acronym FPI. The police raided his house in South Tangerang near the capital Jakarta, while FPI’s headquarters in Central Jakarta was under investigation after the police seized explosive chemicals.

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

Indian Covid-19 Variant Detected in Indonesia, Says Health Minister

Indonesia has detected 10 confirmed cases of a new coronavirus variant, which was first found in India, a top Indonesian health official said on Monday, April 26.

“The new Covid-19 variant that has fueled a surge of cases in India has been found in Indonesia. Ten people have contracted the aforementioned Covid variant,” Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin told a streamed news conference.

Budi, however, did not specifically mention which variant underwent a mutation. He only said that of the 10 people who contracted the mutant Covid variant, six of them contracted it from abroad.

“Meanwhile, four people are infected via local transmission. We need to prevent this virus [from spreading],” Budi said, adding that two cases were found in Sumatera and one case in West Java and South Kalimantan, respectively.

The government has stepped up the efforts to carry out surveillance in the areas. “We are on high alert, monitoring the spread of the new variant,” Budi said.

Source: https://go.kompas.com/read/2021/04/27/135714474/indian-covid-19-variant-detected-in-indonesia-says-health-minister.

Indonesia Arrests Ex-Hardline Group Islamic Defenders Front Secretary-General

ANTARA FOTO/APRILLIO AKBAR The Indonesian police members stand guard outside the headquarters of the disbanded Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) in Central Jakarta on Tuesday, April 27, 2021. The anti-terror police from Detachment 88 (Densus 88) is currently investigating the building after the former militant group's secretary-general Munarman was arrested in his home in South Tangerang on the outskirts of the capital Jakarta earlier.

Indonesian anti-terror police from Detachment 88 (Densus 88) arrested former militant group Islamic Defenders Front secretary-general Munarman on Tuesday, April 27, police said.

Munarman, who is also the lawyer of the former Islamic Defenders Front leader Rizieq Shihab, was arrested in a housing complex in South Tangerang on the outskirts of the capital Jakarta at 15.30 local time.

“Yes, (he was arrested),” said National Police spokesman Inspector General Argo Yuwono.

Based on police statements, Munarman is suspected of inciting other people to commit and conspire with radical acts, including hiding information about terrorist acts from authorities.

His name has been linked with the arrests of terrorist suspects several times. However, he had denied the accusation, saying he had no connection with them.

The police raided his home in South Tangerang, while the headquarters of the disbanded Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) in Central Jakarta was also under investigation after the police seized explosive chemicals, according to another police spokesman, Police Commissioner (Kombes) Ahmad Ramadhan, on Tuesday.

The government banned FPI last year after its involvement in activities that violated order and security.

Source: https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2021/04/27/17254031/breaking-news-polisi-tangkap-mantan-sekum-fpi-munarman.

Only 11 Percent Seniors Have Been Fully Vaccinated: Covid-19 Task Force

KOMPAS.COM/RAMDHAN TRIYADI BEMPAH A health care worker is administering Covid-19 vaccine to one of the senior citizens in Bogor, West Java on Saturday, April 24, 2021.

A spokesperson for the Covid-19 Handling Task Force Team Reisa Brotoasmoro revealed that only about 11 percent or 2.4 million of senior citizens have been fully vaccinated now in Indonesia.

"Only about 11 percent of 21 million seniors have been fully vaccinated. There are still many who have not received their Covid-19 shots," Reisa said in a televised message Monday, April 26.

She elaborated that the government has set a target of vaccinating as many as 21,553,118 seniors of the total population. As of April 25, only 2,413,397 seniors, or 11.2 percent had received the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. Meanwhile, only 1,327,533 or 6.16 percent of the elderly people had received the second dose, she said.

The elderly people are prioritized in the country's mass vaccination program. However, the number of those who have been vaccinated is considered lower than other priority groups such as health care workers and public service workers. Therefore, given the benefits of the vaccine, she stressed the need to continue to vaccinate the seniors even during the month of Ramadan.

"Vaccination during Ramadan does not invalidate fasting. The Health Minister has reminded all managers of the Covid-19 vaccination program in all regions to continue vaccination for the seniors," Reisa asserted.

Source: https://go.kompas.com/read/2021/04/27/175543774/only-11-percent-seniors-have-been-fully-vaccinated-covid-19-task-force