The condition of river and lake water that is dirty or polluted in various cities across Indonesia, especially in Jakarta encourages the Indonesian Institute of Sciences-LIPI to find a solution to solve the problem. The LIPI researchers have proposed a solution with their artificial tool called ‘LIPI Ultrafine Bubble Generator’-LUTOR. They said that this tool is able to clean the water of the lake or river by making the bacteria located at the bottom of the lake work more actively. Head of LIPI Instrument Development Center, Anto Tri Sugiarto at the World Water Day commemoration in Jakarta on Thursday (March 22nd) explained that this tool works by creating tiny oxygen bubbles in the water.
“Nano bubbling is so simple like this; if at home, we have an aquarium with some bubbles inside. The bubbles are large and then loose upwards. So the oxygen, the air has not been taken in the water. If we shrink again into micro bubbling, it is also formed but afterwards, it is released, too. But if we make Nano bubbling, a very small size of oxygen will be very stable in the water because it is so small and stuck by water pressure,” said Head of LIPI Instrument Development Center, Anto Tri Sugiarto.
Anto Tri Sugiarto added, the high levels of oxygen in the water make bacteria work faster, and river or lake water will become much clear, because, the bacteria will eat a variety of organic waste contained in the bottom of the river or lake. For its use, LUTOR only needs to be placed in a river or lake. The LUTOR will take oxygen from above the water level and then inject it into water in the form of small bubbles of oxygen or Nano bubbles while working. (VOI/Rezha/Rhm)
President Joko Widodo expects that ASEAN unity and centrality should be the concern of every ASEAN member country. This was stated when he received Secretary-General of ASEAN, Lim Jock Hoi at the State Palace in Jakarta. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno LP Marsudi perceived that with the unity and centrality of ASEAN, it is expected that ASEAN can contribute in shaping a peaceful and prosperous ecosystem in the region.
“Then, the second hope of President Joko Widodo is that 50 years ahead, there will be a lot of challenges related to unity and centrality of ASEAN. This is very important. This means to keep ASEAN relevant and able to make ASEAN contribute to the creation of a peaceful and prosperous ecosystem in the region as has been done in ASEAN region over the last 50 years,” Retno Marsudi said.
Furthermore, Retno Marsudi also stated that besides emphasizing the importance of ASEAN unity and centrality, President Joko Widodo also disclosed about the construction of ASEAN Secretariat building in Jakarta. In his meeting with ASEAN Secretary-General Lim Jock Hoi, President Joko Widodo hopes that the ASEAN Secretariat has a duty to strengthen ASEAN visibility by disseminating information quickly and accurately. In addition, the President also hopes that the construction of the new ASEAN Secretariat building can contribute to the efficiency of ASEAN's performance, especially in the management of a number of ASEAN meetings in Jakarta. (VOI/NdyRhm)
The number of tourist arrivals from New Zealand to Indonesia in 2017, according to the Ambassador of Indonesia to New Zealand, Tantowi Yahya has not reached the ideal quantity. In a special interview with Voice of Indonesia by phone recently, he explained that the ideal number of tourists visiting from New Zealand to Indonesia is 200,000 tourists or doubled the number which had been achieved in 2017.
“New Zealanders who depart from Australia can reach up to 100,000. Well, this has not reached the ideal number; we hope that every year the minimum number we reach is 200,000 tourists who visit Indonesia. Then, there is an increase from our side, too. We will increase 50,000 to 70,000 Indonesians on holidays to New Zealand,” Tantowi Yahya said.
Ambassador Tantowi Yahya said that he is optimistic that the target of tourists from New Zealand to Indonesia vice versa can be achieved. Air New Zealand has opened flights from Denpasar, Bali to Auckland, New Zealand round trip (PP) with a frequency of three times a week. In addition to the airline from the United Arab Emirates, Emirates in June will open flight routes similar to the frequency of daily flights. He added that the nonstop promotion of Indonesian tourist destinations in public spaces scattered in various regions of New Zealand has great potential to encourage tourist visits from New Zealand to Indonesia. (VOI/Rezha/Rhm)
Lakes or reservoirs located in urban areas are one important element in the availability of clean water for the community. However until now, there are still many people trapped in the mindset that the lakes or reservoirs only have a role as a flood control system. Thus, the Indonesian Institute of Sciences -LIPI conducts social intervention through direct campaign efforts to communities in various regions of Indonesia.
“The most difficult thing is that they think just to keep the floods alone, though lakes and reservoirs can be source of water. This is still difficult for us, so slowly we try to campaign, because if not the community, community participation does not wake up. Yes, any technology will not be able to enter,” researcher from the LIPI Geo-technology Research Center, Rachmat Fajar Lubis said at the commemoration of World Water Day in Jakarta on Thursday (March 22nd).
Rachmat Fajar Lubis added that through this campaign, the threat of "Day Zero" in Indonesia, especially Jakarta can be avoided. The "Day Zero" is a condition where water cannot be used by humans in one area. Some time ago, Cape Town -the capital of South Africa faced such condition. Jakarta itself is forecast to be one of the major cities in the world that will experience similar condition if preventive measures are not immediately carried out. (VOI-Rezha/Rhm)