Indonesia Highlights: Pleasure Boat Capsizes in Central Java's Kedung Ombo Reservoir, Killing 6 | Jakarta to Close Tourist Attractions to End of the Eid al-Fitr Break | Indonesia, Papua New Guinea Inv

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Holiday travelers heading off to Central Java’s Kedung Ombo reservoir for a good time during the Eid al-Fitr or Idul Fitri holiday found their plans go tragically wrong, after their boat capsized and left at least six people dead.

Holiday travel in Jakarta is also in the spotlight, after concerns of a Covid-19 outbreak comparable to that in India from Idul Fitri holiday goers caused the prompt closure of the Ancol Amusement Park, Beautiful Indonesia Miniature Park [TMII], and Ragunan Zoo.

And Indonesia and Papua New Guinea are jointly investigating a video showing a number of Papua New Guinea nationals expressing their support for the insurgency in the Indonesian provinces of Papua and West Papua. This and more on Indonesia Highlights:

KOMPAS.com/Ist Central Java Regional Police head Inspector General Ahmad Luthfi and his officers confer on the shores of the Kedung Ombo Reservoir after a tourist boat capsized in the waterway on Saturday, (15/5/2021)

Pleasure Boat Capsizes in Central Java's Kedung Ombo Reservoir, Killing 6

A tourist boat in the Kedung Ombo Reservoir in Boyolali regency, Central Java has capsized during an outing on Saturday, May 15, leaving at least six people dead and three others missing.

"The boatwas carrying 20 passengers when it flipped over and went under water," said Central Java Basarnas [National Search and Rescue Agency] branch head Nur Yahya.

"The vessel was heading to a floating restaurant in the center of the reservoir. We suspected that the boat capsized after some passengers attempted to take a selfie on the ship's bow." 

Official backlash occurred promptly in the wake of the tragedy.

"Central Java Regional Police chief Inspector General Ahmad Luthfi has ordered the Kedung Ombo tourist sight closed because its management failed to apply proper safety standards and health protocols," said Regional Police spokesman Police Grand Commissioner Iskandar.

"[Kedung Ombo reservoir] also violated the limits on visitor numbers." Joint SAR teams from Basarnas, the military and police, as well as other elements are continuing their search for three people who remain missing in the wake of the disaster.

11 people survived the capsizing of the boat.

Source:

https://go.kompas.com/read/2021/05/16/015646574/pleasure-boat-capsizes-in-central-javas-kedung-ombo-reservoir-killing-6?page=all#page2. 

KOMPAS.COM/ IRA GITA Ancol experienced a surge in visitor numbers during the second day of Eid al-Fitr or Idul Fitri on Friday, (14/5/2021).

Jakarta to Close Tourist Attractions to End of the Eid al-Fitr Break

The Jakarta Provincial Administration has decided to close iconic tourist sights like the Beautiful Indonesia Miniature Park [TMII], Ragunan Zoo, and the Ancol Amusement Park, after visitor numbers surged during the Eid al-Fitr or Idul Fitri holidays.

“We have ordered [TMII, Ragunan Zoo, and Ancol Amusement Park] to temporarily close from Sunday, May 16 to Monday, May 17, to enforce health protocols,” said Jakarta Tourism and Creative Economy Services interim head Gumilar Ekalaya of the order.

“These tourist venues will reopen on May 18. We have taken this decision after we noted a surge in visitor numbers during the two days of Idul Fitri on May 13 to May 14.”

Jakarta officials have come under fire from the House of Representatives or DPR for the surge, with Deputy DPR Chairman Muhaimin Iskandar set his sights on the Ancol Amusement Park.

“How can people bathe in beaches and be able to observe health protocols? They cannot wear masks or social distance properly,” he said. Muhaimin also reminded Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan to impartially enforce the law.

“I urge the Jakarta provincial administration not to apply any double standards in their policymaking. Why do [the Jakarta authorities] ban paying annual respects to deceased loved during Eid al-Fitr during Eid, but allow tourist sights like Ancol to open?” he wondered.

Ancol’s management noted that over 39 thousand people visited the amusement park on the second day of Idul Fitri on Friday, more than its maximum limit of 30 percent capacity or 30 thousand people during the Covid-19 outbreak.

Indonesian Covid-19 Task Force head Doni Monardo voiced similar opinions to Muhaimin, when he stated that tourist venues which violated Covid-19 health protocols should be closed.

Source:

https://go.kompas.com/read/2021/05/16/045803374/jakarta-to-close-tourist-attractions-to-end-of-the-eid-al-fitr-break?page=all#page2. 

Google Maps A map of the Indonesian provinces of Papua and West Papua

Indonesia, Papua New Guinea Investigate Papua New Guinean Support For Papuan Insurgents

International support for the ongoing insurgency in Indonesia’s Papua province is highlighted once again, after authorities in Indonesia and the government of Papua New Guinea are jointly investigating a video showing Papua New Guinean citizens supporting the rebels.

The video showed a number of armed men in military fatigues who stated their support for the Papuan insurgents, which the Indonesian government labeled Armed Insurgent Groups or KKB.

The men in the undated video claimed that they were from the Papua New Guinea province of East Sepik. Indonesian Ambassador to Papua New Guinea Andriana Supandy urged Indonesian nationals in the country to remain calm and not be provoked by the video.

The video will not affect good bilateral relations [between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea] under a 1986 [treaty] signed by both countries,” he said in a press release quoted by the Antara state news agency Saturday.

“The Papua New Guinea government respects Indonesia’s sovereignty over its territory, and regards the issues in Papua and West Papua [provinces] as internal matters.”

Papua New Guinea officials reiterated Andriana. Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Soroi Eoe MP deplored the video, and viewed the statement of those in the video as a “criminal act.”

The Commander of the Papua New Guinea Armed Forces Major General Gilbert Toropo agreed. “The actions of the persons in the video can be categorized as treason, as they claimed to form an armed force outside the Papua New Guinea military,” he said.

Papua New Guinea officials are currently launching investigations in East Sepik to determine if the parties behind the video pose a security threat.

Source:

https://go.kompas.com/read/2021/05/15/231659974/indonesia-papua-new-guinea-investigate-papua-new-guineans-support-for-papuan.