VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) thanked the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) for funding several Indonesia`s infrastructure projects. Speaking at a meeting with the AIIB delegation at Bogor`s Presidential Palace  on Monday ( 12/3 ), Head of state also expressed his high appreciation for the bank`s role over these past two years. The AIIB has so far helped fund three ongoing infrastructure projects in Indonesia. Hence, President Widodo has urged the AIIB to be more efficient and effective in finalizing deals with Indonesia.

Some members of Jokowi`s cabinet comprising Coordinating Minister of Economy Darmin Nasution, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani, Public Works and People`s Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono, and Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung also attended the meeting with AIIB.

Following the meeting, Chairman of the AIIB delegation Christopher Legg remarked that the Government of Indonesia is keen to work with AIIB in resolving challenges in building infrastructure. Speaking in connection with the request, Legg, who is the representative of AIIB Australia, noted that the bank had only disbursed loans for three projects in Indonesia as the AIIB had just operated for two years and had still maintained stable management, with the human resources and representative offices.

"We have offered 20 loans in two years, of which three are for Indonesia. I hope this would grow step-by-step to at least four to five billion in the next two years, and Indonesia will receive a significant part of the funds. However, it should be applied in accordance with the needs of each region," he emphasized.

During the meeting, President Jokowi lauded the AIIB for supporting Indonesia`s infrastructure development and conveyed his best wishes for the bank`s future. "I want to thank you for taking a part in financing some infrastructure in Indonesia in the first two years," he remarked.

The president also welcomed the AIIB delegation to visit some construction sites in Indonesia, such as the Mass Rapid Transit in Jakarta and toll roads in the Yogyakarta Special Region, as well as in Solo, Central Java. Indonesia is one of the founders and shareholders of AIIB that was established in 2016. During the first two years of AIIB`s operations, Indonesia had received US$216.5 million in loans to finance three projects: elevating slum areas program, regional infrastructure development fund, and damage rehabilitation and safety operational safety fund II.

Legg`s delegates comprised representatives from some AIIB member countries: Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Turkey, France, Italy, Bangladesh, India, the United Kingdom, Laos, Israel, and Poland. ( antara ) 

The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on Sunday that the Indonesian Government is committed to bringing innovations and better protections for Indonesian citizens overseas. The message was conveyed by Minister Marsudi during her visit to Singapore to launch three innovations of products and application for Indonesian workers` protections in Singapore, press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said here on Sunday.

"The President`s message to me is clear and firm. Provide the best service for all Indonesian citizens wherever they are!" Marsudi said.

To provide service to Indonesians overseas, starting on April 1, 2018, all Indonesian representatives overseas gradually will apply an Information System of Indonesian Citizens Service and Protection accessible in the Peduli WNI website. In April, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will launch the Peduli WNI website and SafeTravel, Marsudi said.

Peduli WNI website is a service system for Indonesians overseas which is integrated online with national civil data of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Ministry of Law and Human Rights, and employment data of the The Agency for the Placement and Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (BNP2TKI) and the Ministry of Manpower. Through the system, service to all Indonesian representatives overseas will be integrated and can be accessed online.

During her visit in Singapore, Minister Marsudi also met with around 4,500 Indonesian workers in the country and launched three innovations on Indonesian workers protection. The three launched innovations are the Indonesian worker card for seamen (KIPS-Pelaut); Job Order Online, an application for private recruitment agencies or PPTKIS and working partners; BPJS On I-PIS, a data integration of the Workers Social Security Agency (BPJS Ketenagakerjaan) for Indonesian workers in Singapore.

Each worker card or KIPS-Pelaut has an built-in chip that contains information of a particular Indonesian seaman to enable online access to the status of the holder. Meanwhile, the second innovation launched, Job Order Online, is an application to facilitate any agency or migrant worker placement firm to submit documents on the placement of migrant workers online and agency accreditation. The last application launched is BPJS on I-PIS, which is integrated data of the BPJS Ketenagakerjaan for Indonesian workers and an application of Indonesian Workers in Singapore (I-PIS).

Since all Indonesian workers are obligated to join the social security system, the application will enable the government to identify those who have yet to register at the BPJS Ketenagakerjaan.

Foreign Minister Marsudi conveyed to the Indonesian workers, majority are women, that they can focus on their work for the government to continue providing protections for the workers in the sovereign city-state.

Moreover, Indonesian Ambassador to Singapore Ngurah Swajaya said that the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore will be always working to provide the best service for the migrant workers.

From Singapore, Minister Marsudi will depart for Moscow, Russia, to attend a bilateral meeting with her Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov. Minister Marsudi is scheduled to visit Russia on March 12-13 to discuss the strengthening of bilateral cooperation between Indonesia and Russia and the planned visit of Russian President Putin to Indonesia. ( antara )

Two Indonesian migrant workers identified by their names as Mateus Seman and Milka Boimau, both originating from East Nusa Tenggara, have been found dead in Malaysia. Timoteus K. Suban, the Indonesian Migrant Workers Placement, Protection and Monitoring Agency (BP3TKI) Kupang chairman, informed ANTARA, in Kupang on Monday ( 13 March )  and he added "These two workers were dead because of their prolonged illness," 

Suban said that Seman was a resident of Gurung Liwut Village, Borong Subdistrict, Manggarai District, while Boimau was originated from Kotanes Village, Amarasi Subdistrict, Kupang District.

The agency, Suban noted, has just received the information on Saturday last week (March 10). The Malaysian authority stated that the two migrant workers have passed away earlier this month.The bodies of Seman and Boimau have been returned to their hometowns in East Nusa Tenggara on Sunday (March 11). Meanwhile, the agency also has noted that the two migrant workers had been illegally entered Malaysia. ( antara ) 

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) wants Bogor Botanical Garden to be rearranged by improving its facilities so that it becomes more attractive.The President`s wish was conveyed by the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) Acting Chief Prof. Bambang Subiyanto after accompanying the President to sign the inscription on the Two Century of Bogor Botanical Garden and Palm Monument on Sunday.

"The official message of the president is that the the infrastructure of Bogor Botanical Garden should be improved, and the landscape should be re-arranged to make it more attractive," Subiyanto remarked after accompanying the president.

The President was specifically present to sign the inscription of the Two Century of Bogor Botanical Garden in front of Tugu Dua Abad, the bird singing competition located in the garden. Before signing the inscription, the President was seen talking with Subiyanto and the LIPI Life Science Deputy Prof. Enny Sudarmonowati in the company of Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya and Teten Masduki.

After the talks, the president signed the two inscriptions, and then invited all LIPI staff members to share together in front of Tugu Dua Abad, without giving information to the media crew.

According to Subiyanto in talks with the president, LIPI was asked to make the Botanical Garden of Singapore as a comparison in developing Bogor Botanical Garden more attractive again.

"The president wants the Bogor Botanical Garden to be as attractive as possible," he said.

In addition, the president also requested that the concrete fences in the Bogor Botanical Garden covered with plants so that it does not look concrete and iron fence (antara)