Indonesian authorities have declared a state of emergency in Cikande after unprecedented levels of Cesium-137 were detected at the Modern Cikande Industrial Estate. Nine workers were exposed to the radioactive isotope, while scores have families have been evacuated. The government has deployed special decontamination units and launched an investigation into the possible causes, which may be linked to scrap metal imports from the Philippines.
Israel’s prime minister pulls out from the signing of the agreement, ostensibly because of a Jewish holiday, but the most likely reason is the presence of Palestinian Mahmoud Abbas. Israeli media announced a historic visit by Indonesian President Prabowo to Israel tomorrow, which Indonesia’s foreign ministry quickly denied. Modi snubs the summit, sending his Minister of State for External Affairs.
Hailed as a "great success" by the president, the US$ 10-billion programme has become the centre of controversy because of 103 incidents of poisoning in 16 provinces. Often run by the military, the kitchens and the programme’s long distribution chains facilitate bacterial contamination. In some cases, shark meat is included in the menu. Experts note that the programme suffers from “systemic failure”, while discontent is also growing over its confidentiality clauses.
Customs checks in the United States of imported shrimps from Indonesia set off alarm bells. The Cikande area in Serang district has been declared a special incident area. According to a preliminary investigation, the contamination appears to come from uncontrolled processing of metallurgical industry waste. Cesium-137 poses long-term health risks.
On two occasions, dozens of extremists interrupted Sunday prayers at a Protestant community. The attackers claimed that the shop-house did not have the necessary permits to be used as a house church. Controversy erupted online, with calls for freedom of worship. Once again, urban planning practices were used as a pretext to prevent Christians from praying.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto made the announcement at the UN General Assembly. In his speech, he reiterated his commitment to the two-state solution as the only way forward in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. At the same time, he condemned the violence in Gaza, and expressed openness to future recognition of Israel if it recognises Palestine. The world's most populous Muslim country has a long history of lowkey contacts with the Jewish state.
