VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Jakarta (voinews): Deputy Speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Lestari Moerdijat has called for consistency in the enforcement of rules at tourist destinations to maintain order and comfort as well as the continuity of tourism areas' development.

"Actions against various violations of rules in tourist destination regions with many tourists must be made consistent in order to maintain order and comfort as well as the continuity of the development of tourist areas in regions for the better," she said in a statement received here on Monday.

Currently, in Bali, the frequent traffic violations committed by foreign tourists have become a hot topic among people.

Based on the records of Bali Regional Police from traffic stops carried out from late February to March 2023, at least 171 foreign nationals violated traffic rules during the period.

According to Moerdijat, the case of Bali must become a lesson for other tourist destination regions in the country.

"Orderliness and comfort are the attractiveness of a tourism area," she said.

Stakeholders in regions must be consistent in disseminating information regarding the importance of complying with the rules to create order so that tourists who come to an area can travel comfortably and safely, she added.

She said she hoped that the target of achieving 7.4 million international tourist arrivals this year would not make the enforcement of rules in several tourism areas lax.

She also expressed the hope that tourist destinations in Indonesia would become the main choice for international tourists not only because of their beauty, but also the orderliness and comfort of various tourism supporting facilities.

Earlier, Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno urged foreign tourists to comply with all laws, regulations, and existing norms during their vacation in Indonesia.

"We are very open to foreign tourists, but they must comply with all laws, regulations, and all the existing norms in Indonesia," he stressed on March 6, 2023.

The minister also reminded motorcycle rental businesses to remind their customers to comply with traffic regulations, including not changing the license plates of rented motorcycles, as some tourists did in Bali. (Antaranews)

Jakarta (voinews): The Ministry of Transportation has said that the free mudik (exodus) transportation service is being provided to reduce the number of people traveling on motorcycles during the 2023 Eid al-Fitr exodus.

"We need to provide free exodus probably not only the Ministry of Transportation, but also other ministries," Director General of land transportation at the ministry Hendro Sugiatno said at a press conference, which was followed online on Monday.

Business entities and companies would also provide free exodus services with the hope of reducing the number of people traveling on motorcycles during the exodus, he added.

Sugiatno said that based on a survey carried out by the Transportation Policy Agency (BKT), the number of travelers during the 2023 Eid al-Fitr holiday period has been projected to reach 123.8 million.

The number reflects an increase of 14.2 percent compared to the estimate of 85.5 million travelers during the 2022 Eid al-Fitr period.

The survey also listed the top-five means of transportation that are expected to be used by people during the 2023 Eid al-Fitr holiday period.

They comprise private cars, which are projected to be used by 22.07 percent or 27.32 million people; motorcycles, 20.3 percent or 25.13 million people; buses, 18.39 percent or 22.77 million people; intercity trains, 11.69 percent or 14.47 million people; and rented cars, 7.7 percent or 9.53 million people.

Since private cars and motorcycles are dominating the list, the Ministry of Transportation is appealing to people to use the free exodus service to reduce the risk of traffic accidents, he said.

According to him, the risk of traffic accidents is higher if people use motorcycles due to several factors, such as physical and nature-related conditions.

"If we see the data of traffic accidents during exodus, the highest cause is tiredness, and the victims are (people on) motorcycles," he added.

The Ministry of Transportation has set a quota of 24,072 for bus passengers availing free exodus transportation services during the 2023 Eid al-Fitr exodus period.

The quota comprises 18,528 for the departure flow and 5,544 for the return flow. (Antaranews)

Jakarta (voinews): Indonesia's Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Minister Teten Masduki has strictly rejected the sale and purchase of imported used clothes or import thrifting to protect textile micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

The rejection has also stemmed from a desire to protect shoe textile products, which are also being produced by many MSMEs, he said during a media discussion at his ministry’s office here on Monday.

The government has a very strong argument for rejecting the imports of used clothes, he added.

Masduki said that the imports of used and illegal textile products would not align with the government's effort to encourage local product consumption through the Proud of Indonesian Products National Movement.

Through the national movement, the government has issued a policy mandating 40-percent spending on MSME products in goods procurement.

On account of this policy, national economic growth could reach 1.85 percent and 2 million jobs could be created without new investment, Statistics Indonesia (BPS) has estimated.

The minister said he believes that if similar efforts are made when it comes to household consumption, national economic growth will improve.

Further, the import thrifting trend would also eliminate jobs because the textile industry is a labor-intensive industry that involves many workers, he explained.

Masduki urged customs to be more stringent and improve their monitoring of the illegal entry of used imported clothes that have been banned by the Trade Minister’s Regulation No. 40 of 2022.

"It is actually not difficult (to trace where such clothes are sold) since we have already investigated it. In addition through social media, they are also available in Pasar Senen, Gedebage, and Pasar Baru," he noted.

"From there, it will be easier to identify who imports them," he added.  (Antaranews)

The inauguration of the Pura Agung Besakih Sacred Area facility - VOI

In addition to inaugurating the TPST Kesiman Kertalangu, Indonesian President Joko Widodo and First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo accompanied by Coordinating Minister Luhut, PUPR Minister Basuki, and Governor Koster carried out the inauguration of the Pura Agung Besakih Sacred Area facility.

This inauguration was carried out with the aim of arranging the sacred area, so that later people who visit the temple area can worship comfortably.

"Since a long time ago visitors from this temple were numerous and large. This temple was used as a place of worship for Hindus who flocked to come, not only from Indonesia, but all over the world," said Indonesian President Joko Widodo.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo explained that the Sacred Area of ​​Pura Agung Besakih is a highly respected area.

Even so, there are a number of things, such as a lack of parking space, street vendors who are less organized, and a lack of adequate public facilities, which make this holy temple area less orderly.

For this reason, in 2021, Indonesian President Joko Widodo ordered the Minister of Public Works and Public Housing and the Governor of the Province of Bali to organize the Besakih Temple Sacred Area.

In the end, in 2023 this area was officially inaugurated by Indonesian President Joko Widodo.

"Two temple areas, namely Becinggah and Manik Mas, have been revitalized as we see now. I ask the central and local governments to carry out proper and professional management of the area. Involve the village and Besakih Traditional Village, involve them to contribute," said Indonesian President Joko Widodo in closing his remarks.

In more detail, the Governor of Bali I Wayan Koster explained that the funds for the revitalization of this area came from the State Budget of the Ministry of PUPR and the Provincial Government of Bali with a total of 911 billion.

"This collaboration is a concrete form and one of the pillars of the New Era of Bali funding," said Governor Koster.

Governor Koster also explained through a video related to several areas that were being built and revitalized, namely the Titi Gonggang Temple, Manik Mas Temple, Melanting Manik Mas Temple, Pelingguh Tulak Tanggul, and the Padma Bhuwana Statue in Becinggah.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Monday, supporting areas are also being revitalized, such as the Kedungdung Parking Area with a capacity of 250 buses, the Manik Mas Parking Area Building with a capacity of 4 floors and a green building concept equipped with a hydropower roof and has a parking capacity of 2,694 vehicles, then there are UKM facilities, Wantilan building, Bale Gong , Wiyata Graha for 215 seats and there are facilities for watching the Besakih Temple documentary.

Other things, namely the availability of Argi Agung, 274 toilet cubicles, LPD and Bumkes offices, Besakih 6 Public Elementary School, and the Office of Medical Personnel//VOI