Ati Nurbaiti

Almost 48,000 new cases were reported yesterday, but so far only “micro restrictions” have been imposed. The government has proposed giving a third dose to doctors and nurses. Indonesia’s vaccination rate is among the lowest in the world. Isolation facilities are inadequate and personal protective equipment are in short supply.

President Jokowi calls on ASEAN to intervene to ensure the safety of the people of Myanmar whose generals are more interested in Thailand’s military coup than Indonesia’s model of democratic transition. In Indonesia there is little empathy for protesters in Myanmar.

General Prabowo is one of President Widodo’s trusted men. His appointment is also backed by Indonesia’s main Islamic organisations. His priorities include the fight against extremism and the “promotion of diversity” as well as enforcing COVID-19 restrictions whilst respecting civil liberties.

One in three people tested positive. Hospitals are near collapse. The families of patients face tragic hurdles. Since the start of the crisis, 652 doctors and nurses have died. The vaccination of 1.3 million health workers has started. Areas affected by earthquakes and flooding face additional problems.

The Islamist leader returned on 10 November from self-imposed exile in Saudi Arabia after being charged with “pornography” at home. He was taken into custody, seemingly for failing to respect anti-coronavirus regulations at his daughter's wedding. Tensions are growing with the government, which, however, is trying to avoid confrontation.

Part of the population, including doctors and nurses in favour of referral. Three candidates and eight regional leaders have already died from the pandemic. The preventive measures adopted in the polling stations criticised. Judges must rule on an appeal lodged by a group of citizens. Situation aggravated by floods and volcanic eruptions.

Alert levels are up for Mount Merapi in Central Java and Sinabung in North Sumatra. Many towns and villages around the volcanoes have been evacuated, but some residents resist and continue to farm and tend to their livestock. For children, distance learning in reception centres is a source of stress. Food supplies are an issue.

The Papuan villagers feel threatened by the authorities, who want to allow gold mining in the area. Activists accuse a soldier of the death of the Protestant clergyman. Two Catholic catechists were also killed in October. The local community wants the military to leave.

Only 43.8 per cent of the US$ 47.4 billion allotted have been spent. About 28 million Indonesians are destitute. Women-headed households are an issue. Thousands of Indonesians protest against new labour law.

People trying to stop expropriations approved by the authorities for plantations, ports and other maritime structures endure intimidation and arrests. The Church is helping victims. Offers of compensation for seized land is pitiful. The authorities are working in league with foreign groups.

For Marzuki Darusman, the ethnic group is the victim of atrocities in Myanmar and must be helped to determine its own future. Increased international pressure on Myanmar is needed as is greater support for Bangladesh, which hosts a million Rohingya refugees. Third countries, especially in ASEAN, must welcome the Rohingya.

Fears over growth of infections. A "partial" lockdown favoured the spread of the coronavirus. Business leaders: solve the health crisis first and then restart production. Doctors: The population must stay at home. The pandemic lays bare the social and economic gaps in the country. The poor are the most affected by the emergency. Subsidies to households and businesses to help recovery.