VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Minister of Culture Fadli Zon speaks to reporters in Bandung, West Java, on December 14, 2024. (ANTARA/Ricky Prayoga)

VOInews, Bandung : Minister of Culture Fadli Zon has urged filmmakers to collaborate with historians to make historical movies, which are rare in the country.

He made the request on the sidelines of the National Conference of the Indonesian Historian Society (MSI) in Bandung, West Java, on Saturday.

Zon said there are many historical events that could be adapted into interesting films that also educate people. Such films could include biographical accounts of heroes like Diponegoro, Imam Bonjol, and Patimura.

He emphasized that producing historical films must be strengthened, as it offers both business potential and educational value for the younger generation.

Zon pointed to the extraordinary production of historical films in Hollywood, especially those related to World War II, which continues to this day, with some films even winning Oscars.

He added that historical films could diversify the domestic film industry, which is currently dominated by certain genres.

Zon also noted that the influx of foreign films and dramas, which could challenge the emergence of historical films, should be seen as a challenge, not a threat.

"We must motivate ourselves to create good storylines and scenarios," he said//Antara-VOI

Minister of Foreign Affairs Sugiono presents his remarks to open a public discussion on the 75th year of Indonesia-the United States relation in Jakarta on December 13, 2024. ANTARA/HO-Kemlu RI/nbl

VOInews, Jakarta : Indonesia-United States (US) relations on their 75th anniversary have developed as a strategic partnership to advance democracy, peace, and common prosperity, according to Indonesia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Sugiono.

"Indonesia and the US are strategic partners in advancing democracy, realizing peace, and pushing for prosperity," he stated while opening a public discussion agenda on the 75th year of Indonesia-US diplomacy in Jakarta on Friday.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs released on Saturday, Sugiono highlighted that the general elections that both countries underwent this year reflected the strong commitment of Indonesia and the US to democracy.

He also described Indonesia's Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with the US as exhibiting firm relations and cooperation between the two countries.

Sugiono then highlighted his meeting with his US counterpart, Antony Blinken, on the sidelines of President Prabowo Subianto's visit to Washington, D.C., in November.

He stated that during the visit, the US government declared its support for programs and policy priorities promoted under Prabowo's Asta Cita (Eight Missions).

"Indonesia is ready to strengthen relations between the two countries to fulfill Asta Cita programs, especially in the investment, food and energy resilience, and health and education transformations," Sugiono remarked.

Meanwhile, US Ambassador to Indonesia Kamala Shirin Lakhdhir stated that the US and Indonesia are partners and friends who continue to collaborate on common issues during their 75-year-long diplomatic relations.

"Our partnership is developed by common values and priorities to achieve prosperity and development for our people," Ambassador Lakhdhir affirmed.

On the same occasion, Sugiono, along with Minister of Communications and Digital Affairs Meutya Hafid and Ambassador Lakhdhir, launched a special commemorative stamp for the 75th anniversary of US-Indonesia diplomatic relations.

Indonesia-US relations were established on December 30, 1949, when H. Merle Cochran, the first US ambassador to Indonesia, presented his credentials to President Soekarno in Jakarta.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, various activities have taken place in parallel in Indonesia and the US to commemorate the 75th year of bilateral relations, including public discussions and an orchestra concert in Jakarta, as well as the Indonesian economic forum and cultural festival in the US//Antara-VOI

Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni visits the production of palm sugar at the Masarang Foundation, Tomohon, North Sulawesi, on Friday (December 13, 2024). (ANTARA/HO-Forestry Ministry/rst)

VOI News, Jakarta:  The Forestry Ministry is preparing forest areas for bioethanol development in support of President Prabowo Subianto's goal to improve people's welfare and promote food and energy self-sufficiency.

"The president has promised to allocate two million hectares for bioethanol production as part of his efforts to achieve energy security. It is now our responsibility to prepare these forest areas, particularly for bioethanol derived from sugar palm trees (Arenga pinnata)," Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni said in a statement from his office on Saturday.

As reported by Antara News Agency on Saturday (14/12/2024), speaking on Friday (13/12/2024) while reviewing the tapping of aren indigo and palm sugar production at the Masarang Foundation in Tomohon, North Sulawesi, Antoni highlighted that this initiative supports President Prabowo’s goals of enhancing welfare and achieving food and energy self-sufficiency.

"One of the president’s top priorities is to bring prosperity to the people. The Forestry Ministry is currently identifying key commodities to help achieve this objective," he noted.

The president has set a target of two million hectares of sugar palm forest for energy self-sufficiency. Antoni assured that his ministry is fully committed to preparing these areas to meet that target.

This initiative is significant because sugar palm offers immense potential for the energy sector. The sap from sugar palm trees can be fermented into bioethanol, a renewable energy source.

Antoni also mentioned that the ministry is exploring the potential of sugar palm trees to serve as a food reserve forest through collaboration with relevant stakeholders.

"We aim to foster cooperation that will improve the welfare of farmers. I’ve also been in discussions with Dr. Willie Smits about transforming these sugar palm trees into larger plantations, which would contribute to food security through food reserve forests," the minister said.

Dr. Smits, a conservationist and microbiologist, is working alongside the ministry on this initiative.

Smits, who accompanied Antoni, expressed his satisfaction with the minister’s visit to meet the farmers directly.

"I hope this can inspire the development of two million hectares of sugar palm trees, as well as support the employment sector," he added.

Members of the Indonesian Navy, part of the TNI MTF Task Force Garuda Contingent XXVIII-P UNIFIL, participate in a farewell ceremony at Madura Pier, Surabaya, East Java, on Thursday (December 12, 2024). ANTARA/Indonesian Navy/rst

VOI News, Jakarta: The Indonesian warship KRI Sultan Iskandar Muda-367  departed from its base at the Indonesian Navy Fleet Command (Koarmada) II in Surabaya, East Java, and is heading to Jakarta in preparation for its voyage to Beirut, Lebanon.

As reported by Antara News Agency on Saturday (14/12/2024), the Indonesian naval vessel is currently part of the Maritime Task Force (MTF) of the TNI Garuda Contingent (Konga) XXVIII-P UNIFIL, scheduled to sail to Beirut in the third week of December 2024 for a peacekeeping mission with the United Nations.

The warship is projected to continue the duties of the TNI Konga XXVIII-O UNIFIL MTF Task Force currently serving in Lebanon.

Head of Information Service of the Koarmada II Indonesian Navy, Colonel Widyo Sasongko, stated on Friday (Dec 13) that the TNI Konga XXVIII-P UNIFIL MTF Task Force was released from the Madura Pier, East Java, on Thursday (December 12), by Chief of Staff of Koarmada II, Commodore Isswarto, representing the Commander of Koarmada II, Rear Admiral Ariantyo Condrowibowo.

"This ship will carry out a peace mission for 365 days as part of UNIFIL - a multinational mission responsible for maintaining security stability in the region," Sasongko remarked.

KRI SIM-367 will chart a strategic course from Jakarta, first stopping in Batam before navigating international waters. Its planned route includes port calls at Colombo in Sri Lanka, Salalah in Oman, and a critical passage through Egypt's Suez Canal at Port Said, ultimately concluding its journey in Beirut, Lebanon.

"You will interact with other countries' officers, UNIFIL elements, and local communities. Therefore, uphold the values of professionalism, tolerance, and international cooperation," Isswarto, representing Condrobirowo, told 120 soldiers of the Task Force members.

They are also reminded to be alert to all forms of threats, considering the escalation of armed conflict in Lebanon between the Israeli military and the armed militia Hezbollah.

The TNI Konga XXVIII-P UNIFIL MTF Task Force is scheduled to depart to Beirut, Lebanon, carrying 120 Navy personnel and an anti-submarine helicopter from the AS 565 MBe HS-1306 Panther Naval Air Station.

In Beirut, the TNI Konga XXVIII-P UNIFIL MTF Task Force will continue the peacekeeping mission of the TNI Konga XXVIII-O UNIFIL MTF Task Force, whose term of duty will end in early January 2025.

The Maritime Task Force is one of the units under the control of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

Apart from MTF, the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) also deployed other troops to join other UNIFIL units, including the Mechanized Battalion Task Force (INDOBATT), Force Headquarter Support Unit (FHQSU), Indo Force Protection Company (FPC) Task Force, Civil-Military Coordination (CIMIC) Task Force, Military Community Outreach Unit (MCOU) Task Force, and Level 2 Hospital Task Force.

Most TNI soldiers, who are members of UNIFIL, operate on land, while the MTF Task Force carries out its duties at sea.

Indonesia still sends the most soldiers to carry out peacekeeping missions with UNIFIL in Lebanon, with 1,230 soldiers.