Search for Five Journalists Halted Amidst Healthcare Worker Burnout

The joint Search and Rescue (SAR) operation for a group of journalists and the crew of the fast boat KM Arupadatu I, which lost contact in the waters of the Sunda Strait, has been officially halted after 10 days. The termination of the joint SAR operation was announced by Banten Governor Andra Soni during a press conference at the Joint SAR Main Post in Pandeglang, Banten, on Thursday evening. He stated that the operation was declared ceased with heavy hearts as it was no longer deemed effective.

ANTARA News Agency has expressed profound grief over the continued disappearance of photojournalist Muhammad Bagus Khoirunas, who lost contact while covering the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau in the Sunda Strait on 7 September. The Director of News at ANTARA, Virgandhi Prayudanteoro, stated in Jakarta that the agency remains in close coordination with search teams and continues to support the family during this difficult period.

In legislative news, Commission X of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) is urging the government to conduct a thorough evaluation of the use of Badan Pusat Statistik (BPS) decile data as the sole parameter for distributing social assistance (bansos) and educational aid. Vice Chairperson of Commission X, My Esti Wijayati, emphasised that the rigid use of decile data and slow data update mechanisms often trigger social issues, such as the loss of social assistance rights for the poor and threats to the university prospects of underprivileged students.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has blocked the SISKOPATUH system access for two Umrah travel organisers, PT JGroup Amanah Wisata and PT Annisa Ahmada Travelindo. The Director of Licensing and Accreditation for Special Hajj and Umrah at the Ministry, Atty Novyanty, explained in Jakarta that this blocking is an emergency administrative security measure intended to halt transactions and the registration of new pilgrims.

Finally, the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) has warned that the mental health of healthcare workers is a critical factor in determining the quality of service and patient safety. Imran Pambudi, Director of Health Services for Vulnerable Groups, noted that data from the World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that 63 per cent of healthcare workers have experienced verbal violence in the workplace, while between 17 and 32 per cent have experienced burnout.