VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov urged his country on Monday to have trust in its army and strategic partners, and said there was no need for volunteer forces at the border with Tajikistan after deadly clashes there last week.

At least 100 people were killed between Sept. 14 and 16 in fighting involving the use of tanks, aviation and rocket artillery on a disputed section of the border in Kyrgyzstan's Batken province.

"We continue our efforts to resolve the Kyrgyz-Tajik border issues in a purely peaceful way," Japarov said in a televised address on a national day of mourning.

"Another point I would like to mention: I urge calm among the men and youths who are willing to go to Batken ... We have courageous warriors and enough forces to repel those who violate our borders."

Japarov also asked Kyrgyz not to trust "provocateurs who slander our strategic partners, friendly nations and peoples who share our position".

Separately, Kyrgyz authorities said they had negotiated on Monday for the release of four border guards who had been captured by Tajik troops during the conflict.

Tajikistan's foreign ministry said on Monday the key to resolving the conflict lay in negotiations, and it reiterated its position that Kyrgyzstan had instigated the fighting.

Deputy Foreign Minister Sodik Emomi told a briefing that ethnic Tajiks who were not Tajik citizens were being detained in Kyrgyzstan and that Kyrgyz drones had been spotted flying into Tajik territory overnight.

Central Asian border issues largely stem from the Soviet era, when Moscow tried to divide the region between groups whose settlements were often located amid those of other ethnicities.

Emomi said there have been more than 230 border incidents between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan over the last 20 years, and that the focus of the latest conflict was an area covering 2,000 square kilometres (772 square miles).

Former Soviet republics Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are both allied to Moscow and host Russian military bases. Russia has avoided taking sides in the conflict and urged the sides to resolve it peacefully. (Reuters)

Pakistan's central bank on Sunday said the Saudi Fund for Development has confirmed it will extend for one-year a $3 billion deposit currently placed in the bank's accounts since 2021.

The deposit was to mature on Dec. 5, but that has now been extended to next year, the State Bank of Pakistan said on Twitter. (Reuters)

New Zealand's central bank governor Adrian Orr said on Monday that the Reserve Bank of New Zealand was working with more than 110 central banks around the world to better understand and integrate climate considerations into their work.

"As the climate continues to change, wellbeing and prosperity are harmed. To deliver on the Reserve Bank's purpose, it's important that we understand this context," Orr said in a speech at a conference on climate change and business.

Orr added that financial stability is best maintained when all relevant risks are identified, priced, and allocated to those best able to manage them.

"Climate impacts are here now, and the risks of further impacts are here to stay. But there is still much within our control," Orr said. (Reuters)

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto highlighted President Joko Widodo's directives to no longer rely on imports for domestic soybean stocks.

"Mr President wants to not be 100-percent dependent on imports (for domestic soybean stocks), because of almost all the demand for 2.4 (million tons, source from) national production continues to decline," Minister Hartarto stated at the Presidential Palace here on Monday.

Hartarto made the statement after attending a meeting at the Merdeka Palace, led by President Jokowi, to discuss governance and boost soybean productivity.

To this end, President Jokowi urged State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) to purchase the commodity from farmers at a predetermined price.

"Hence, to reach that price, there will be an assignment for SOEs, so that farmers can produce. That is (set) at a price of Rp10 thousand (per kilogram)," he remarked.

The price being unappealing to farmers was one of the reasons behind their hesitation to plant soybeans lately.

He pointed out that farmers found it unfeasible to grow soybeans if the price was below Rp10 thousand per kg, as the product imported from the United States was priced at only Rp7,700 or even cheaper.

"Hence, in 2018, for example, we produced 700 thousand hectares, and now, it is at 150 thousand hectares. Hence, if farmers are urged to choose if they rather grow corn or soybeans, then they all (choose) corn. Now, we want everything to be mixed, not only corn but also soybeans (production) can go up," he elaborated.

The head of state also gave the second directive in which he encouraged farmers to use superior seeds that have been genetically modified (GMOs). Using these seeds is expected to aid in multiplying soybean production per hectare.

"By using GMOs, the production per hectare can increase, from the current 1.6-2 tons per hectare, to 3.5-4 tons per hectare," he remarked.

The next measure was for the government to prepare a budget for the expansion of soybean planting areas, from the current 150 thousand hectares to 300 thousand hectares and to 600 thousand hectares next year. The government has been striving to pursue its target of one million hectares of production in the next few years.

"The budget has been prepared for around Rp400 billion, and next year, it will also be increased, from 300 (thousand) to 600 thousand hectares. The existing one is about 150 thousand hectares. Thus, the production target of one million hectares is pursued for the coming two to three years," the minister added.

For other commodities, such as shallots, cayenne pepper, and curly red chili, Hartarto highlighted President Jokowi's request that production centers in Solok and Indragiri, West Sumatra Province, and Brebes in Central Java should continue to boost their production rate.

"Mr President asked for production to continue to be increased and for cold chain or cold storage to be provided, and it will also be assigned to SOEs to work on it. Hence, of course, hopefully, all of these farmers' production can be fully (absorbed)," he remarked.

He also reminded the regional government of President Jokowi's directive which stated that they had to bear the costs of commodity transportation in order to contain the inflation rate.

"The current transportation distribution is conducted in accordance with the directions at the coordination meeting on inflation, transportation subsidies are applied by each regional government, but nationally, the National Food Agency and the Agriculture Ministry are assigned to pro-subsidy from transportation," he concluded. (antaranews)