Latest news with #Prasetyo
The Star
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
Indonesia warns children, parents against ‘violent' online game Roblox
Online gaming service Roblox is displayed on a tablet screen in Paris. - AFP JAKARTA: Officials have warned parents and students against playing popular online game Roblox, citing circulating content allegedly related to violence and other negative effects for children amid a rise in the game's popularity across the country. The call for caution for such content inside Roblox was first raised by Elementary and Secondary Education Minister Abdul Mu'ti, who called out the game as an example of content that could be harmful for children due to its 'violent' gameplay. 'Don't play those games like [Roblox], because they are not good,' Mu'ti said on Monday (Aug 4) on the sidelines of a visit to an elementary school in Central Jakarta, as quoted by Antara. 'If you're using your phone, avoid watching violence or listening to bad words. Don't consume things that have no value,' the minister told the schoolchildren. Responding to the education minister's remarks, State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi said on Tuesday that the government 'would not hesitate' to block digital games containing elements of violence like Roblox if necessary. 'If what's shown goes too far and affects our younger generation's behaviour, then yes, we won't hesitate to shut it down,' said Prasetyo, who also serves as a presidential spokesperson. 'Our priority is to protect this generation. We have no problem closing off platforms that feature violence.' Originally launched in 2006, Roblox is an online game platform and game creation system, where users can play games and other online activities designed by others, often called 'experiences'. The platform hosts millions of user-created 'experiences', ranging from original games, to activities based on famous television shows and virtual social handouts. During the second quarter of 2025, the game's company Roblox Corporation accumulated over 27.4 billion hours worth of global user engagement with 'experiences' within the platform, according to data gathered by Statista. The figure is up from 21.7 billion hours in the previous quarter. In the same period, the company also recorded over 20.6 million daily active users of Roblox games in the United States and Canada, as well as 25.6 million daily users in Europe. The game has recently gained traction among children and teenagers in the country, who gather on maps designed similarly to real-life locations, such as Mount Bromo in East Java. Dongker, a punk band from Bandung, West Java, even held a concert on Au. 3 on Roblox, attended by 200 users whose avatars went into a virtual mosh pit. Some extracurricular classes found online also offered programming courses for children using Roblox. In some countries, the game has already been used by students to learn computer coding skills and game designing. But officials have raised concerns about some contents related to violence and a lack of adequate content filtering. Prasetyo emphasised that the government's attention goes beyond Roblox, citing recent cases of youth violence which he deemed as a result of the violent content across various media platforms. 'We must really try to reduce things that can give rise to something bad for those who watch them, especially our younger generations,' Prasetyo added. - The Jakarta Post/ANN
Asia News Network
29-07-2025
- Business
- Asia News Network
Indonesian government reaffirms commitment to future capital Nusantara project amid moratorium calls
July 29, 2025 JAKARTA – State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi has dismissed growing concerns over President Prabowo Subianto 's commitment to the Nusantara capital city project, asserting that the President has no plans for a moratorium and remains fully committed to completing the relocation within three years. Speaking at a recent press conference, Prasetyo, who also serves as the President's spokesperson, emphasized that while the government remains open to 'suggestions and input', it remains focused on executing the existing plans and to swiftly completing the development of Nusantara. He went on to say that President Prabowo has instructed the Nusantara Capital Authority (OIKN) to 'work hard' to complete essential infrastructure and facilities, ensuring that all three branches of government—executive, legislative and judicial—can operate from the new capital within the set time frame. 'These are the facilities and infrastructure that we believe must be in place before the President signs the presidential decree formalizing the capital's relocation,' Prasetyo said on Friday. The legal foundation for relocating the capital has been in place since 2022. However, Prabowo has yet to issue the decree required to officially move the capital from Jakarta to Nusantara in East Kalimantan. Several ministers have previously stated that the decree will be issued only when Nusantara is fully prepared to host the three branches of government, a milestone the Prabowo administration aims to reach by 2029, supported by a Rp 48.8 trillion (US$2.9 billion) budget. However, the administration's decision to hold this year's Independence Day ceremony in Jakarta—despite earlier pledges to celebrate it in Nusantara—combined with President Prabowo's ongoing absence from the new capital, has fueled speculation about his commitment to the flagship project initiated by his predecessor, Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo. The NasDem Party was the first to publicly urge the government to clarify its policy direction, calling on the President to either expedite the issuance of the relocation decree or suspend the project entirely. While several other political parties have since reaffirmed support for Nusantara, they also pressed for concrete action, urging the government to start operating from the new capital, at least by assigning to the new city Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Jokowi's oldest son, or specific ministries. After a site inspection on Saturday, Franky Sibarani, chair of the House of Representatives' Commission XIII overseeing law and human rights, said development had progressed sufficiently for some ministries to begin relocating. The Golkar Party politician, who was accompanied by OIKN head Basuki Hadimuljono and officials from several key ministries, encouraged a phased relocation. 'We recommend that the State Secretariat begin relocating certain ministries, such as the Environment Ministry, the Forestry Ministry, the Public Works Ministry or the Agrarian and Spatial Planning Ministry, as an initial move,' Franky said. Still, with no official timeline for government office relocations and with Nusantara excluded from this year's Independence Day events, national attention remains centered on Jakarta, where preparations are already underway. To this end, Prasetyo confirmed that invitations have been sent for the Aug. 17 flag-raising ceremony at Jakarta's Merdeka Palace, including to former national leaders. 'An official confirmation is not yet available as the preparation process is still ongoing. But I have personally visited former presidents and vice presidents to extend verbal invitations, and they have responded positively'. Prasetyo added that, barring any unforeseen circumstances, they were expected to attend, though he did not mention any names.
Asia News Network
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Asia News Network
Indonesian VP Gibran prepares for Papua role as pressure grows for peace talks
July 11, 2025 JAKARTA – Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka has affirmed his readiness to oversee development and address ongoing human rights issues in Papua, as he prepares to lead the Special Autonomy Acceleration Board in accordance with existing legal mandates. Coordinating Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Correctional Services Minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra revealed recently that President Prabowo Subianto is finalizing Gibran's assignment to lead a special body mandated by the 2021 Papua Special Autonomy Law. The law tasks the Vice President with overseeing the coordination, evaluation and harmonization of autonomy and development programs in the country's easternmost province. 'As the President's aide, I am ready to serve anywhere, anytime,' Gibran told reporters during a visit to Klaten Regency, Central Java, on Wednesday, adding that the same assignment was previously held by his predecessor, Ma'ruf Amin. While President Prabowo has yet to issue a formal decree, Gibran said his office has already taken initiative by dispatching teams to Sorong in West Papua and Merauke in South Papua to assess local needs, deliver school supplies and laptops as well as evaluate the implementation of the government's free meal program. When asked whether he would establish an office in Papua, Gibran said he was open to working from any location, be it Jakarta, Papua, or Nusantara in East Kalimantan, the country's future capital where the Vice Presidential Palace is currently under construction. 'It's important for me to regularly visit the regions, engage with business actors, listen to input, accept criticism and conduct evaluations. Being able to work from anywhere and connect with the people, that's what truly matters,' the 37-year-old added. Presidential spokesperson and State Secretary Hadi Prasetyo emphasized on Wednesday that Gibran's assignment to Papua stems from a legal mandate, not a new initiative. 'We want to clarify that it is not accurate to say the President has [personally] assigned the task to Gibran, as the law clearly mandates that the Vice President is responsible for coordinating Papua's development,' Prasetyo said. He further explained that while Gibran will not be permanently based in Papua, the Special Autonomy Acceleration Board's secretariat and operational staff will be stationed there. However, the Vice President may frequently visit or temporarily take up office in Papua as needed. 'It will not be a problem [for the Vice President] to occasionally visit, lead coordinating meetings or even temporarily work from Papua,' Prasetyo added. Soldiers from the Indonesian Army's 112th Raider Infantry Battalion secure a ceremony at a military base in Japakeh, Aceh, on June 25, 2024, ahead of their deployment to Papua. (AFP/Chaideer Mahyuddin) Papua, rich in natural resources, has experienced conflict between separatist groups and security forces since the 1970s, with tensions escalating sharply since 2018 as pro-independence armed groups increased attacks. Many critics argue that the Indonesian Military's (TNI) heavy presence in the region has further deepened the crisis. While the Vice President's presence in Papua may lend symbolic weight to government efforts to maintain stability, human rights groups emphasize that real progress requires a shift from security-focused policies to inclusive, rights-based governance. Amnesty International Indonesia has urged the government to prioritize peaceful dialogue and ensure that Papuan voices are central to developing solutions. 'Dialogue is the most rational and humane path forward,' said Amnesty's Executive Director Usman Hamid on Wednesday, stressing that as long as the government continues a militaristic approach and fails to uphold human rights, the conflict will persist. This view is echoed by the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organization (TPNPB-OPM), which demands that the President 'form a negotiation team to sit at the table with us.'
