VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOINews, Jakarta - Newly appointed British Ambassador to Indonesia Dominic Jermey presented letter of credentials to President Joko Widodo in Jakarta, October 23, and expressed optimism about great potential for increasingly strong relations between Indonesia and the UK.

"It is a great privilege and honor for me to present my credentials to the President of Republic of Indonesia His Excellency Joko Widodo," Ambassador Jermey stated, according to a written statement issued by the British Embassy in Jakarta on Wednesday.

Dominic Jermey, who has been appointed as Ambassador to the Republic of Indonesia and non-resident Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, stated that his country has been eager to intensify partnerships with Indonesia on trade, investment, climate change, and global stability.

"The UK’s partnership with Indonesia continues to grow from strength to strength, focused on business, climate change, biodiversity, as well as prosperity and security in the Indo Pacific," Jermey stated while calling Indonesia as the largest economy in Southeast Asia, and Britain, as a member of G7.

"Our trade between the UK and Indonesia was worth 3.5 billion pound sterling in 2022, and I want to grow this further as we continue to boost two-way investment," Jermey remarked.

Jermey claimed to be extremely proud of the UK’s long-standing collaboration with Indonesia on climate change, energy transition, and clean growth as was demonstrated through the recent agreement around the Low Carbon Development Initiative that will ensure Indonesia’s economic growth to be sustainable and resilient against the impacts of climate change.

"I am very much looking forward to my new role as the British Ambassador to Indonesia, working together with our friends and colleagues from Sabang to Merauke, delivering benefits and creating a better, safer, and greener future for our people," he affirmed.

During the 1999-2000 period, Dominic served as British Representative to the UN Transitional Administration in East Timor, reporting to the UK Ambassador in Jakarta.

Jermey’s earlier diplomatic postings include serving as Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Afghanistan for 2016-2017 period and to the United Arab Emirates for 2010-2014 period.

In 1999-2000, Jermey was British Representative to the UN Transitional Administration in East Timor, reporting to the UK Ambassador in Jakarta.

He was Managing Director and Chief Executive of the UK’s inward investment and export support agency, UK Trade and Investment from 2007-2010 and 2014-2015. (Antaranews)

VOINews, Jakarta - The Indonesian government is preparing various strategies to deal with the implementation of the European Union Deforestation-free Regulation (EUDR), the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs stated.

According to the ministry's Deputy for Food and Agribusiness Coordination, Musdhalifah Machmud, the strategies are also being formulated with the aim of dismissing accusations that Indonesia's palm oil industry neglects sustainability aspects.

"We are currently devising strategies to respond to the accusations of our palm oil products not being sustainable," she remarked virtually during the 2023 Indonesian Palm Oil Research Week (PERISAI) event in Surabaya, East Java, on Wednesday.

Machmud explained that the first strategy concerns the government's effort to revise Presidential Regulation No. 44 of 2022 regarding the system of Indonesian sustainable palm oil plantation certification.

Machmud elaborated on the regulation, saying that it mandates business actors to obtain Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) certificates. She remarked that the government plans to expand the regulation, so it can accommodate provisions related to sustainability aspects.

"We will soon expand the presidential regulation to accommodate sustainability provisions," she remarked.

Shedding light on the next strategy, Machmud explained that the government is developing a clearing house that will bring together relevant stakeholders to discuss matters related to the goal of realizing a sustainable palm oil industry.

She then pointed out that the government had earlier formed a joint task force to handle various issues faced by Indonesia and Malaysia in connection with the implementation of the EUDR.

The task force was established as a platform that can help Indonesia, Malaysia, and the European Union reach a common understanding regarding the regulation, she remarked.

Furthermore, she highlighted that Indonesia had held the first meeting of the joint task force in August this year, resulting in the objection to the exclusion of smallholders in trade activities between Indonesia and the European Union.

"The second result is related to the sustainability scheme. We have been implementing the scheme since 2011, and we want our sustainability efforts to be acknowledged by the European Union," the official affirmed.

The second meeting of the joint task force is scheduled on December 12 this year.

"We, the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, and the Secretariat of the CPOPC (Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries) will hold various meetings to harbor suggestions and find solutions to the issues," she concluded. (Antaranews)

VOINews, Jakarta - Indonesia urges the UN Security Council (UNSC) to act immediately to stop the escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in Gaza and address the humanitarian crisis.

Every second wasted without real action from the Security Council has a dire impact on the Palestinians in Gaza. Indonesia strongly condemns the continued Israeli aggression against civilians in Gaza (24/10).

"I would like to remind that the Security Council has a great responsibility to maintain peace and security, not to allow prolonged war or help one of the parties continue the war," the Indonesian Foreign Minister said during the UN Security Council High-Level Open Debate on the situation in the Middle East held in New York, October 24, 2023.

The Foreign Minister also said that the Security Council must not remain silent witnessing the disasters and crimes against humanity that are taking place in Palestine. Attacks on hospitals and places of worship, blockade of electricity, water, fuel, and expulsion of Gazans are carried out by Israel in the name of collective punishment.

At the same time, civilians are being held hostage and face threats to their lives.

"I would like to ask how the Security Council will carry out its responsibilities? When will the Security Council stop the war in Gaza, realize a ceasefire, open access to humanitarian assistance, call for the release of civilians, and stop the illegal occupation by Israel?" the Foreign Minister asked.

She added that every second wasted due to political differences and failure to reach consensus is a defeat for humanity and exacerbates instability.

"How many more lives must be sacrificed before the Security Council takes action?" she asked.

Retno emphasized that Indonesia is wasting no time in mobilizing international support for immediate action. Through the OIC, ASEAN, and ASEAN-GCC, D8 meetings, Indonesia called for a unified voice to urge the cessation of violence and focus on the issue of humanitarian disasters.

Indonesia urged three things to be done immediately, namely:

First, a joint call for an immediate ceasefire.

"The silence amidst the deafening whizzing of bullets and rocket explosions is appalling. Absolute support for either side has fueled disproportionate use of force, violations of international humanitarian law, and impunity. It is our collective duty to end the cycle of violence before it escalates into a regional and global catastrophe," the Foreign Minister said.

Second, prioritize humanitarian access.

"More than 2 million Gazans' lives are at risk due to lack of access to basic needs. Humanitarian aid convoys are constrained and threatened by crossfire. The Security Council must immediately urge safe and smooth access to humanitarian assistance and respect for international humanitarian law," said the Foreign Minister.

Third, humanity must be returned to the Security Council

"Please use your great power for humanity. Palestinians deserve equal rights and treatment. We are all human beings. We all deserve to have a home. We must reject the expulsion of Palestinians. Do not let the tragedy of 1948 happen again," she said.

"The Security Council has great power, and with great power comes great responsibility, to address the situation in Gaza and its root causes, and ensure the realization of a two-state solution," she said. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

VOINews, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) appointed Andi Amran Sulaiman as minister of agriculture, replacing Syahrul Yasin Limpo, who had resigned from his position following his alleged connection with a corruption case.

During an oath-taking ceremony held at the State Palace, Jakarta, on Wednesday, President Jokowi also inaugurated Chief of Staff of the Army Lieutenant General Agus Subiyanto and Indonesian Ambassador to Argentina Sulaiman Syarif.

"In the name of God, I pledge that I will be loyal to the 1945 Constitution and genuinely carry out all applicable regulations for the sake of my devotion and service to the nation and country," Sulaiman stated when taking his oath.

Following the president's guidance, Sulaiman also stated his vow to carry out his duties while upholding office ethics and giving his best as a responsible agriculture minister.

The appointment marks his second term in office after serving in the same position during the 2014-2019 period.

Sulaiman, born in Bone, South Sulawesi, on April 27, 1968, has also earlier served as the head of logistics of state-owned agricultural company PT Perkebunan Nusantara XIV.

After concluding his career in the company, he created various agricultural innovations, including the rat exterminator Alpostran.

Since then, he has continued to develop his businesses in the field of pesticides, palm oil, sugar, nickel, gold, and gas stations.

Earlier in September this year, Minister Sulaiman met with President Jokowi at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, to talk on economic issues.

However, Sulaiman noted that the president did not offer him to reclaim his position as the agriculture minister in September's meeting. He remarked that after concluding his term as minister during the earlier period, he had discussed about the economy at several meetings with the head of state.

As a businessman, he admitted to having discussed matters related to sugar production in Southeast Sulawesi, nickel potential in eastern Indonesian regions, and conditions of the real economy with President Jokowi. (Antaranews)