VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Bali gained Rp800 billion (US$51.2 million) in the form of infrastructure development and improvements from the central government due to its position as the G20 Summit host, the province's Governor, I Wayan Koster, stated.

"The G20 Summit has brought direct and indirect benefits (for Bali). One of the direct benefits was that Bali gained infrastructure and facility developments valued at more than Rp800 billion from the state budget," Koster noted here, Friday.

Apart from supporting the G20 Summit, infrastructure developments would also benefit Bali as a global tourist destination, he remarked.

The governor noted that the I Gusti Ngurah Rai VVIP Terminal and mangrove nursery at the Ngurah Rai Forest Park were facilities developed for the G20 Summit.

"The VVIP terminal is outstanding. The president also said that (the terminal) is stunning, and I believe (the VVIP terminal) is the best in Indonesia and even the world. The terminal was granted to the Bali authority," Koster remarked.

He added that other facilities developed for the G20 Summit in the province are the beautification of the I Gusti Ngurah Rai Statue in Tuban, Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park, and Bali Mandara toll road, as well as road expansion and pedestrian lane development in several regions.

Koster stated that for the G20 Summit, he had been tasked by Minister of Public Works and Public Housing, Basuki Hadimuljono, to supervise and accelerate the progress in infrastructure development.

"(The projects) make Bali much more tidier and more beautiful. Despite being executed (to facilitate) the G20 Summit, it will bolster the Bali tourism ecosystem after the G20 Summit's completion. It has long-term benefits," the governor noted.

He also highlighted that the G20 Summit benefited local MSMEs that saw their products being introduced to the global audience and used during the G20 Summit.

"Local MSMEs stated they are proud that their woven fabric and crafts (were) used (in the G20 Summit). Bali products were not the only local products used, as (other regions in) Indonesia also had their products introduced, but Bali has been placed in a special position," Koster said.

Moreover, despite Bali having contributed Rp3 billion (US$192 thousand) for the installation of penjors (decorative bamboo poles) and disbursed Rp400 million (US$25.6 thousand) for traditional artists, who performed before arriving delegates, the governor said that the contributions are minuscule in comparison with what Bali had gained.

"(Our contributions) are meaningless compared with the Rp800 billion for infrastructure projects in Bali which will have outstanding economic benefits," he remarked. (antaranews)

The special envoy of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) welcomed on Friday a recent mass release of prisoners by Myanmar's military government as "an important gesture" towards helping create a conducive environment for dialogue.

In a statement, the envoy Prak Sokhonn also said he was planning a third visit to Myanmar in coming weeks.

ASEAN is leading peace efforts in the Southeast Asian country that has been in chaos since the military seized power in a coup last year. (Reuters)

Leaders of the United States, South Korea, Japan and allied countries convened an emergency meeting during an Asian summit on Friday and condemned North Korea's firing of a suspected intercontinental ballistic missile, calling for a united response.

The missile, which landed just 200 kilometres (130 miles) off Japan, was capable of reaching the mainland United States, Japanese officials said.

Meeting on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in Bangkok, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris called the launch a "brazen violation" of multiple U.N. resolutions and said North Korea's actions were destablising for security in the region.

South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said the North's activities were illegal and "will never be tolerated", calling for a united front and a resolute response.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said such launches were occurring with "unprecedented high frequency" lately.

"There is the possibly that North Korea will launch further missiles," he warned.

The incident came a day after a smaller missile launch by the North and its warning of "fiercer military responses" to the U.S. boosting its regional security presence.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said North Korea's move needed to be condemned "by all regions around the world", while Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese said the missile launches were "reckless actions".

"We stand with the world, and indeed with our allies, in opposing and condemning this action in the strongest possible terms," Albanese said.

"And we stand ready to be part of a global response to this."

New Zealand leader Jacinda Ardern said she acknowledged the "anxiety, the deep concern, the security threat" felt in Japan and South Korea. (Reuters)

A senior U.S. government official said on Friday that the United Nations security council should meet to discuss North Korea's latest missile launches.

United States Vice President Kamala Harris' meeting on the sidelines of an APEC summit in Bangkok on Friday with leaders from South Korea, Japan, Canada, New Zealand and others was "very productive and free flowing", the official said. (Reuters)