An aerial view of some of the National Games (PON) 2021 venues in Papua. Pictured are the soccer, diving and track and field venues. The Public Works and Public Housing Ministry said on July 24, 2021, that five venues had received international certification and have been handed over to the local administration. (PUPR handout/-)
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - After officially opening Papua's 20th PON National Games on Saturday evening, President Joko Widodo continued his working visit on Sunday by inaugurating the Sota cross-border post (PLBN) in Merauke District.
In a speech he delivered at the opening ceremony of this integrated cross-border post, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) expressed hope that all border crossers could be served well.
"I hope the Sota cross-border post officials will provide our citizens wanting to cross the Indonesia-PNG land border with better and more comfortable services," he said.
President Jokowi's speech at the inauguration of the cross-border post in Soto Sub-district, Merauke District, Papua Province, was streamed on the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube channel.
He highlighted the importance of border areas for Indonesia as they function as Indonesia's front porches that represent the nation's image. Therefore, they must sustainably be developed.
Having the border areas get well developed will present Indonesia's progress that makes the entire nation proud, President Jokowi said.
To this end, over the past seven years, he has ordered related government agencies to rebuild various cross-border posts across the archipelago.
However, the reconstruction of the cross-border posts that has made the nation have a new physical image must also be completed with a continuous improvement in public services, according to President Jokowi.
"Providing new ways of serving the public becomes our commitment to developing Indonesia from its periphery," he said.
The Sota cross-border post is expected to help boost new economic growth centers, and improve services in the Indonesia-PNG land border area of Merauke District.
At the end, its presence would hopefully make local residents near the border area have deeper love and pride of Indonesia, President Jokowi said.
Noted as the eighth integrated cross-border post in Indonesia, and second one in Papua after the PLBN Skouw, the PLBN Sota relatively has complete facilities.
The facilities include a commercial building, a market, social and public facilities, a worship place, a worker dormitory, accomodation facility, pedestrian facility, and a parking area.
The inauguration of the Sota integrated cross-border post was marked by the Tifa drum beats and signing of an inscription during which President Jokowi was accompanied by several ministers and top state officials.
Among those attending the event were Coordinating Political, Legal, and Security Minister Mahfud MD, Home Minister Tito Karnavian, Public Works and Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono, House of Representatives (DPR) Speaker Puan Maharani, and Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander Air Chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto.
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As revealed by a written statement from the Press Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat, at the market which is one of the facilities around the Sota integrated cross-border post, Jokowi had a chance to talk to a female vendor.
The President bought onions and bananas. When buying bananas, the President asked her about the price of a bunch of bananas.
"Five thousand," the vendor said to the President.
"I bought four, so all twenty thousand rupiah," the President said.
However, the President gave her one million Rupiah.
Related news: Jokowi inaugurates Mopah Airport terminal in Merauke
"I bought a banana for Rp20,000. So how much is the return?" the President asked
"Thank you Mr. President," said the vendor who was greeted by the President's smile.
"Yes, thank you," the President said.
In addition to Sota Market, previously the President also took the time to review a number of cross-border post (PLBN) facilities such as the Indonesia-Papua New Guinea departure route and the Papua New Guinea-Indonesia arrival to Plaza Garuda.
In that place, he met a number of border crossers and took the time to chat with them for a while.
Related news: President Jokowi inaugurates Papua's Sota cross-border post
Head of the Mimika Health Office Reynold Ubra said here Sunday that anticipatory measures regarding malaria containment leading to the PON XX have been carried out since last year. The authorities conduct surveys against mosquito larvae and mass blood surveys (MBS), and distribute mosquito nets.
The Mimika Health Office has also carried out Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) in the accommodations where the PON XX participants are staying, in order to prevent Anopheles mosquitos, also often referred to as the malaria mosquitos.
"The IRS fogging had been done two months prior (to the event). As for hotels, we express our appreciation to those who have carried it out independently," he said.
Furthermore, all PON participants were tested for malaria and were given directions regarding the disease, including prevention and mitigation measures.
"Out of over 500 specimens that we had tested, there were three specimens in which malaria cases were found. This means that the rate is under one percent. Two of these cases were athletes from endemic zones, one of which was Mimika," Ubra said.
Related news: Fogging conducted to stop malaria spread during Papua PON: ministry
Aside from during the Papua PON period, surveillance is also done by the Mimika Health Office for three months after participants leave the area.
"Following the malaria inspections, we will carry out migration surveys, where we keep an eye on participants up until three months after they return to their hometowns," he added.
Should there be athletes who experience symptoms of malaria, they will be referred to the local health office or public health centers (Puskesmas).
The local health authorities, he continued, will trace them back to endemic areas and they will get in touch with the Mimika health office.
The Papua PON XX had officially been opened by President Joko Widodo, and is scheduled to take place until October 15. Featuring 37 events, the competitions take place in Jayapura City, and the districts of Jayapura, Mimika, and Merauke.
Related news: Indonesia observes World Malaria Day in Bengkulu
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