Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu expressed hope that the 2019 presidential election would run in a safe and orderly manner.

"Thank God. The simultaneous regional head elections on June 27, 2018, has been implemented in a safe and orderly manner. It demonstrates that our society can be obedient and orderly. I hope such a conducive situation would also be maintained in the presidential election," he noted during a briefing to some one thousand soldiers of the military command of Iskandar Muda in Banda Aceh, Aceh Province, on Wednesday.

Ryacudu, who is also the former Army chief of staff, noted that as long as there is no provocateur, the Indonesian people can act in an obedient and orderly manner.

The preparation stage of the 2019 presidential election will begin, with the registration for presidential and vice-presidential candidates on Aug 8-14.

"We need to closely monitor various developments in the situation, so that we can take precautionary measures against all possibilities that could affect the stability and security of the nation," he stated.

He affirmed that the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) should remain neutral during the election.

"The TNI must be neutral and maintain loyalty and professionalism," he noted.

He emphasized that the Indonesian people should be mindful of the fact that the final goal of the political year is essentially to elect a leader.

"As devout religious people, we should perform Istikharah Prayer to get a trustworthy leader to serve the people. Do not choose someone just since you got money from the person," he stated. (ANTARA)

Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and World Bank President Jim Yong Kim discussed ways to tackle the problem of stunting or chronic malnutrition in children.

"President Kim, our focus today is to tackle the problem of stunting in children," Jokowi stated while paying a courtesy call on Kim at the Bogor Presidential Palace on Tuesday.

"This issue is very important to me personally and also for you and the public. I hope that a breakthrough is achieved to overcome this problem. We all know what to do but how can it last forever?" he reiterated.

Jokowi suggested several possible ways to tackle the stunting problem through the use of technology and the involvement of the private sector and civil society.

"We live in the 21st century, which is the era of rampant usage of smartphones and social media as well as the widespread use of unmanned aerial vehicles and artificial intelligence. I believe that such current developments can be utilized to build a mechanism for finding solutions to the issue of stunting, as sophisticated technology is already available," he stated.

Moreover, Jokowi and Kim also discussed ways to involve the private sector in national development.

"I am afraid that if we are too dependent on the government, the development process will be very slow. There is no other way than to involve the private sector to make sustainable efforts with initiatives from the community," he emphasized.

In addition to discussing social issues, Jokowi extended his congratulations over the Independence Day of the United States that falls on July 4.

"I would like to convey Happy 4th July to President Kim. We are honored that you celebrate Independence Day of the United States in Jakarta this week," he stated.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that a total of 178 million toddlers experienced stunting in the world.

Stunting is a chronic nutritional problem caused by poor nutrient intake for long periods, generally due to poor dietary intake. Stunting takes place in the womb and is only visible when the child is two years of age.

According to UNICEF, stunting is defined as the percentage of children, aged 0 to 59 months, whose height for age ratio is below minus two standard deviations, indicative of moderate and severe stunting, and minus three standard deviations, suggestive of severe stunting, from the median of the WHO Child Growth Standards. (ANTARA)

Minister of Foreign Affairs Republic of Indonesia, Retno Marsudi opened the Indonesia Channel 2018 show entitled "The Colors of Beautiful Indonesia" at Taman Ismail Marzuki Grand Theater, Jakarta, Wednesday, July 4th. Indonesia Channel 2018 is a colossal cultural performance of 72 Indonesian friends from 44 countries participating in the Indonesian Art and Culture Scholarship Program (BSBI) 2018. The event was simultaneously held to close the scholarship program which has lasted for three months. In his speech, Minister Retno Marsudi said the program is a form of Indonesian soft diplomacy to promote world peace, tolerance and harmony.

"This is the power of soft diplomacy, remember always, soft power charms and disarm, as advances humanity and its potential for a saver, peaceful and more pleasant life. This is the type that Indonesia wants to promote in the midst of the evolving and dynamic challenges that the world is facing today. Hence, this program has become more relevant as one of Indonesian contribution to the world and promoting peace, tolerance, and harmony," Retno Marsudi said.

Minister Retno Marsudi added that out of a total of 72 Indonesian Art and Culture Scholarship Program (BSBI) 2018participants, 13 of them chose to remain in Indonesia and learn more about Indonesian art and culture. They plan to learn bamboo musical instruments and Balinese dance art. In addition, one of them will also write a book about his experience during the BSBI 2018 program. The performance of Indonesia Channel 2018 is an artistic and cultural performance of the study participants of BSBI 2018 program who have different language and cultural backgrounds. For three months BSBI 2018 program participants practiced in Sanggar Semaradana Denpasar, Bali; Rumata Cultural House, Makassar, South Sulawesi; Sayu Sayu Gringsing Studio, Banyuwangi, East Java; Yayasan Seni Gubang, Kutai Kartanegara, East Kalimantan; and Art Studio, Music, and Dance Syofyani, Padang, West Sumatra. In addition, the National Development University (UPN) Veteran Yogyakarta is also involved in the training of BSBI 2018 program participants. (VOI/REZHA/AHM)

Former Prime Minister of Malaysia, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim who is also the leader of the Malaysian government coalition ‘Pakatan Harapan’ visited Indonesia. On his visit, Anwar was invited to attend the Executive Center for Global Leadership (ECGL) in Jakarta on Wednesday, July 4 as a keynote speaker on political leadership. On the occasion, he mentioned about the first state visit of Malaysian Prime Minister, Mahathir Mohamad to Indonesia some time ago. He said that the visit will further strengthen the relationship between Indonesia and Malaysia and has a positive impact on cooperation in various fields, especially economy that is the main focus of Prime Minister Mahathir.

“This Doctor Mahathir came to Jakarta and his focus is to tie up economic cooperation between Malaysia and Indonesia. Besides investment and import-export,  I also develop cultural, and educational sectors, and these sectors are beneficial to both sides. And the spirit of friendship is that Mahathir showed in his last visit last week. And some of his speeches and his joint resolve with President Joko Widodo for me give  positive and stronger developments,” Anwar Ibrahim said.

Earlier, Anwar Ibrahim first held a special meeting with the 5th President of the Republic of Indonesia Megawati Soekarno Putri. He also met a number of businesspeople from Serantau Business Council and Indonesian political figures. Anwar Ibrahim is currently projected to become the 8th Prime Minister of Malaysia in 2020 to replace PM Mahathir who is now 92 years old. (Rezha/Trans/Ndy)