VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

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)

The Ministry of Transportation has prepared Standard Operating Procedure–SOP related to the implementation of IMF-World Bank Annual Meeting 2018. Because the event to be held in October will be attended by 30 heads of state and the government and also 19,000 delegations. The procedure also accommodates the condition of Bali amid volcanic activity of Mt. Agung. Moreover until now, Center of Volcanology and Disaster Mitigation of Geology does not revoke yet alert status of the mountain.  The Minister of Transportation, Budi Karya Sumadi admitted at the Eastern dock of  Benoa Seaport, Denpasar, Bali on Wednesday that his office has prepared the alternative airport. In addition to disaster mitigation step, his office will also provide alternative airport for allocation of state aircraft parking  if the International airport -I Gusti Ngurah Rai is unable to accommodate it.

“…The procedure is that the Head of The State will land at Ngurah Rai airport, and usually because of limited capacity, so the aircrafts parking is at some airports. Especially close the region, it is in Lombok, Surabaya, Ujung Pandang, and Balikpapan," Budi Karya Sumadi said. 

Minister Budi Karya Sumadi does not deny that condition of Mt. Agung becomes one of the government’s attentions during the preparedness of the annual meeting of IMF-World Bank in 2018. If I Gusti Ngurah Rai airport is forced to be closed due to volcanic, the Minister made sure that the government has provided land transportation for the delegations. The transportation reaches the nearest airport. (KBRN-Sugandi/Marno/AHM/Trans by Yati)

In responding to the argument regarding sinking ships as punishments, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said that foreign fishing boats that illegally fish on Indonesian waters can actually be used as state assets.

The former World Bank Managing Director supports the stance taken by Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti to destroy and sink the foreign fishing boats that are proven guilty. The minister also said that it is a way to create a deterrent effect for future violators.

The minister further said that the difference in opinions between Minister Sri Mulyani and Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Panjaitan can be bridged. According to the minister, it can be bridged by continuously improving our management and monitoring, that would, later on, use that asset to uphold a good governance for society.

However, Sri Mulyani said that the captured foreign boats cannot be managed by the State Asset Management Agency (LMAN) considering that it is a forceful takeover which still has to go through a legal process.//TI