VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The simultaneous Regional Head elections to be held in some regions in Indonesia in 2018 will bring about positive impact on people's lives. However, behind the positive impact, there is a potential conflict that may be aware of due to high social tension in the community. It was conveyed by an economic observer from the University of Indonesia who is also Program Director of INDEF (Institute for Development of Economics and Finance), Berly Martawardaya in a special interview with Voice of Indonesia on Thursday, January 11, 2018 in Jakarta.

“…So, generally, it is positive to the growth and welfare of the local people. Of course, unless there is a social tension arising and there are some conflicts. So, that’s the exception.”

Berly added that one example of the positive impacts of the elections is the rising of the economy through the provision of goods and services for the purposes of the Regional Head Elections itself such as banners, flags, clothing, food, and others. (Rezha)

Vice President, Jusuf Kalla asked the Indonesian Gymnastics Association to prepare the athletes to compete in the 2018 Asian Games with various exercises. General Chairman of PB Persani, Ilya Avianti met VP Jusuf Kalla who is also Chairman of the Asian Games Steering Committee to report on the development of 22 athletes, including the athletes who have been sent to Moscow, Russia and won bronze in the international arena. Ilya Avianti at the Vice President's Office in Jakarta on Thursday, January 11, 2018 said that VP Jusuf Kalla also asked the association to win gold medals as many as possible in the multi-sport event of the Asian Games.

“…The vice president welcomes positive; of course if the gold target, as long as 10-years gymnastics has not been heard. But yesterday, we had passed the Sea Games and we could grab gold, silver and bronze unexpectedly. So, we keep pushing our athletes to practice," Ilya Avianti said. 

Although the government budget for the association is smaller than last year, Ilya Avianti ensures that it will not degrade the quality of her athletes’ training. The association will include sponsorship to support 22 gymnastic athletes at the Asian Games. In the near future, Persani will send its  athletes to practice in the United States and Doha, Qatar. Ilya Avianti added, Persani is now also preparing to become the organizer of the Junior Asia Championship which is the first international gymnastics competition in Indonesia. The Junior Asia Gymnastic Championship is also a preparation for the 2018 Asian Games on August 8th. (Rizki/Mar trans by Rezha)

Indonesia must be able to improve the production of its main weapon system through the domestic defense industry. The independency of the defense industry becomes very important to advance the domestic defense industry. This was affirmed by Minister of Defense, Ryamizard Ryacudu in a Press Conference after the Meeting of the Ministry of Defense 2018 at the Ministry of Defense in Jakarta on Thursday afternoon (January 11, 2018). He said that the synergy with the domestic defense industry is the main value for TNI as user to have a sense of pride in using the local defense equipment.

“…Ministry of Defense along with domestic defense industries will spur again. With the defense industries, there are PT PAL, PT Pindad, and PT Dirgantara Indonesia to make main weapon system (alutsista) that enable TNI to use well, safely and comfortably. So if we invite people to buy, they already know better. Thus, the defense ministry is able to increase the economy of this nation,” Ryamizard Ryacudu said.

Furthermore, Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu also explained that one of the major economic growth

improvements in the world's major countries is through their defense industry. Therefore, he views that

Indonesia should be able to improve the ability of the domestic defense industries so that Indonesia's

economic growth can be more developed. (AF/Trans by Rezha)

Indonesian Defense Ministry held Leaders Meeting 2018 with Commanders of the Indonesian Military (TNI) and TNI Chiefs of Staff at Defense Ministry in Jakarta on Thursday, January 11^th. TNI Commander, Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto in a Press Conference after the Leaders Meeting Thursday afternoon said that the meeting was to discuss strategic planning, issues and to find the solutions of the issues.

“…We keep supporting the policy by improving professionalism and the welfare of personnel. That’s the goal. Increasing professionalism of personnel of TNI is by building power. It can be done by encouraging national defense industries and by transfer of technology from other countries. It is also related to second strategic planning within 2014 – 2019. There will be some main weaponry system to fulfill the need of the Indonesian Military, Army, Navy and Air Force,” Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto said.

Moreover, Air Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto explained that the Leaders Meeting of Indonesian Defense Ministry

2018 also discussed the increasing of capability of TNI personnel in a bid to be professional by fostering

education and training. Even, TNI will also build 7 thousands proper homes for the personnel. He added that

TNI said that the goal of improving professionalism of TNI personnel is to make them be able to conduct their

duty as deterrent, force mover and restorer and also be able to conduct main duty given to maintain the

sovereignty and integrity as well as protect all components of Indonesia. (AF/Trans by Rezha)