Mathias Hariyadi

Navy divers found the black box at 4 pm (local time) and brought it to the surface. The finding is key to shedding light on the tragedy. Now it is with Indonesia’s National Committee for Safety Transportation for analysis. So far only one body has been identified, that of flight attendant Okky Bisma.

Army and navy divers, dredgers, cranes and balloons used to remove aircraft wreckage. Several bodies and body parts recovered but identification has to be carried out through DNA. There were 50 passengers on the plane - 43 adults and 7 children - along with 12 crew members. Entire families are among the victims. A 24-year-old was saved by chance: at the last moment he chose the ferry over the plane because he did not have enough money to pay for a Covid test.

Five children, including an infant were among the passengers of the Boeing 737.

Over 70% of intensive care beds occupied nationwide. There is a lack of doctors specialized in treating the disease. Partial lockdown in Java and Bali. The immunization campaign with the Chinese Sinovac will start on 13 January. The first to receive the dose will be President Widodo.

He was sentenced to 15 years in prison for (moral) support of the Bali bombings of October 2002, which claimed the lives of at least 209 victims, mostly foreign tourists, and wounded dozens more. He has always denied the charges.

Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Minister Mahfud MD made the announcement today. A video shows some members of the group declaring their affiliation to the Islamic State and supporting its presence in Indonesia. Meanwhile, controversial Islamist leader Rizieq Shihab remains in prison for violating health protocols.

In recent weeks, many Indonesians have expressed doubts over the effectiveness, possible side effects, and costs of the Chinese vaccine. The president wants to dispel the doubts by being the “first person to be given the first dose”. His words reassure public opinion and fuel optimism.

The Archdiocese of Jakarta urges Catholics not to visit family but to celebrate Christmas at home. In so doing, “we are showing our commitment to celebrate this Christmas with simplicity without endangering or harming other people with our presence”.

In their plea on Human Rights Day, the clergymen urge the parties to work towards social reconciliation and an end to the violence. They also call on the Bishops' Conference to be more active. For Card Suharyo, the Church has been attentive and shown compassion for the Papuan people.

Indonesia’s Bio Farma says the vaccine is 97 per cent effective. But Sinovac Biotech says it still has no data on effectiveness. The company is vetting phase 3 results in China, Indonesia and Brazil. In a country of 17,000, 6,000 inhabited, distributing the vaccine is a logistical challenge. At least 120 million Indonesians will receive the vaccine for free. It will be distributed first in Java and Bali, the two islands most affected by COVID-19.

1.2 million doses with a further 1.8 million to be delivered in a month. President Jokowi: In December we will produce 15 million vaccines alone; 30 million in January. Awaiting go ahead form National Food and Medicines Agency before start of vaccination campaign. Contagions and deaths on the rise.

Benny Wenda has declared himself interim president of the "new" state. The announcement from Great Britain. For other separatist leaders, he is only a pawn of the European, American and Australian capitalists. Indonesian authorities: Situation under control.