VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Member of Commission VII DPR RI Mukhtarudin supports President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) to continue the nickel downstream program. Even though the European Union filed a lawsuit, related to the cessation of exports of raw nickel ore to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Because, according to him, the President's firmness is based on the constitutional mandate to be able to optimize and develop downstream nickel commodities. The goal is the added value of nickel is getting bigger, for the national interest.

"It's time for us to optimize our natural resources as much as possible. This is for the prosperity of the people according to the mandate of the constitution," said Mukhtarudin to reporters, Tuesday (13/9/2022).

According to him, President Jokowi's firmness regarding the ban on the export of nickel ore raw materials has become a hard code. Especially to the Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) to be more proactive and progressive in seeking business partners.

"Both partners at home and abroad," he said. "In this case, foreign investors will of course prioritize our national interests."

The government has banned the export of nickel ore since January 1, 2020. The decision is contained in the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Regulation Number 11 of 2019.

Mukhtarudin emphasized that he did not only support the policy of banning the export of nickel ore raw materials. But if the President wants to add to the list of prohibitions on exporting commodities, such as copper, he will also support it.

"Anyway, I am ready to support Pak Jokowi's policy," he said. "It's just a matter of what our strategy is to support the policy."

According to him, Indonesia should not be afraid of the European threat that will bring this issue to the WTO. Because national sovereignty is far more important than threats or pressure from the WTO.

"The ban on the export of raw materials is very appropriate to show Indonesia's sovereignty as a strong country," he said. "Also to create jobs."

President Jokowi is not afraid of the European Union's threat to bring the issue of banning exports of nickel raw materials to the WTO. Even though later the WTO will win the EU lawsuit.

"It's okay, but make sure the goods and the industry are ready first," said the President. "It's okay, why should we be afraid?" (RRI)

Indonesia and the Czech Presidency for the Council of the European Union, in collaboration with the European Commission, organized the International Conference on Wildlife Conservation. The conference took place on September 13–15 in Jakarta, with participants from Indonesia and representatives from a number of foreign countries.

The international conference, which is a collaboration of several parties, is a joint step in wildlife conservation efforts. Participants will use the meeting to discuss policies and efforts made in each country.

“This conference is a form of cooperation in conserving wildlife. Not only in Indonesia but also throughout the world," said Novia Widyaningtyas, Senior Advisor for Industry and International Trade at the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK).

"At the conference, we will discuss what policies and practices are in each country. I think that is an interesting thing to explore," she said.

Deputy Minister of the Environment of the Czech Republic, Eva Volfova hopes that the participants can exchange experiences with each other. Especially in exchanging experiences in conserving wildlife.

“Indonesia is one of the centers of biodiversity which is very inspiring for me personally. I hope to be able to plant mangrove trees,” said Eva.

The Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Indonesia, Jaroslav Dolecek, expressed the commitment of Indonesia and his country regarding wildlife conservation. Where was the signing of the Letter of Intent (Letter of Intent) by the delegations of the two countries last year in Jakarta.

Jaroslav said, as a follow-up, the two countries also agreed to form a working group. "Where the first focus is on wildlife diversity, climate change, and waste management," said Jaroslav.

The Czech Republic in particular also invited the Minister of Environment and Forestry, Siti Nurbaya, to visit the Czech Republic next year. To see first hand the various areas and biodiversity protection projects.

“About how we protect biodiversity. What we do is actually the most important part to share experiences,” he said.

Meanwhile, Indonesia's commitment to wildlife conservation is carried out through various steps. Among them, have established nearly 3627 conservation areas spread throughout Indonesia and set nearly 9000 protected species. (RRI)

Various policy mixes that have been implemented by the government over the past two years have helped prevent stagflation in Indonesia, according to Deputy Minister of Finance, Suahasil Nazara.



The policies covered domestic COVID-19 handling and the provision of a social protection budget for the economically vulnerable, he highlighted during a public lecture at the University of Indonesia (UI), which was followed online on Monday.



They include the provision of aid to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), tax incentive provision to taxpayers, and credit restructurization relaxation to financial service institutions.




“(The policies were formulated) Because we do not want health issues, which then become social issues, which also become economic issues, and financial issues," he explained.



The policies have helped the Indonesian economy to continue to grow and kept the country from experiencing stagflation amid a rise in inflation, he said.



"Stagflation occurs when the economy declines or has negative growth," Nazara explained.



Indonesia's economy contracted -2.07 percent year on year (yoy) in 2020. Meanwhile, it grew 3.69 percent yoy in 2021 and 5.44 percent yoy in the second quarter of 2022.




Currently, the government is continuing to make efforts to ensure that Indonesia's economic growth can reach the 5.2-percent yoy target by the end of 2022, the deputy minister added.



According to Nazara, the biggest cause for the rise in inflation has been the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which has halted the supply chain for food and energy at the global level.



However, stakeholders are making efforts to stem the domestic inflation figure, so that it can reach the target of below 4 percent yoy by the end of 2022, he added. (Antaranews)

Several G20 member states expressed interest in community-based vocational training promoted by Indonesia during the sixth meeting of the G20 Employment Working Group (EWG) organized under its G20 Presidency.

Secretary General of the Manpower Ministry Anwar Sanusi stated that the forum encouraged deliberation on the development of human resources through community involvement.

"We continue to promote the community-based vocational training concept despite some parties earlier expressing their confusion over the proposal. We will offer something that I believe will be a terminology and a concept that they would adopt," Sanusi stated after the G20 EWG meeting here Tuesday.

The G20 EWG is a forum to discuss economic and social aspects of employment-related policies. The EWG is also a means for G20 members to exchange ideas and best practices in their respective countries.

The approach encourages vocational training conducted with community resources, he remarked, adding that Indonesia has implemented the approach through the Community Vocational Training Centre (BLK).

"We also found breakthroughs when some parties presented us with inputs about how this community BLK can be adopted in other countries," the secretary general remarked.

Some countries with conditions similar to Indonesia, such as Argentina, Brazil, and India, have expressed interest in the community-based vocational training proposed by Indonesia, Sanusi noted.

"(This is) because in essence, the duty to increase the quality of human resources is not only that of the government, companies, schools, or educational institutions but also the community through the community-based vocational training," he noted.

Apart from community-based vocational training, some other issues on achieving inclusive workplaces and realizing sustainable employment in the MSMEs and informal sectors have also been deliberated during the G20 EWG.

Other discussions for which resolution is expected ahead of the G20 Labour and Employment Ministers Meeting (LEMM) on Wednesday (September 16) are deliberations to ensure the manpower and social protection amid ongoing changes in the work pattern and expertise strategy upgrade to match the capability of human resources with the employment market demand. (Antaranews)