VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Jakarta. The Indonesian Government has no plan to extend disbursal of cash transfer fund (BST) that has been a crucial instrument to revive the economy battered by the COVID-19 pandemic after its expires in April 2021, Social Affairs Ministry stated.

"We have no budget for that," Social Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharini stated at the 19th anniversary of the Disaster Preparedness Team (Tagana) in Pangandaran, West Java, on Wednesday.

Moreover, Rismaharini remarked that since the country had enforced micro-scale social restrictions, people could slowly return to their normal activities that would further aid in reviving the economy.

"People in need of help can apply to us, and we will deliver the aid as non-cash food aid (BPNT)," Rismaharini noted, adding that the BPNT package was worth Rp200 thousand.

An advisor of the Social Affairs Minister for Social Accessibility Sonny W. Manalu earlier noted that the ministry had only prepared cash transfer fund until April 2021.

Since early 2021, the ministry has disbursed Rp12 trillion per month to 10 million beneficiary families, with each expected to receive Rp300 thousand through the state-run postal service company PT Pos Indonesia. (Antaranews)

Jakarta. Japan and Indonesia pledged on Tuesday to tighten security ties and signed a deal to facilitate transfers of defence equipment and technology, as their near neighbour China expands its economic and military might.

China’s territorial claims in the East and South China seas have become a priority issue in an increasingly testy Sino-U.S. relationship and also raise significant security concerns for Japan.

“I think this is (a) historical first in bilateral relations between Japan and Indonesia,” Indonesian Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto said, referring to the transfer pact.

“We invite the Japanese side to participate in the modernization of Indonesia’s defence capacity. We also encourage joint training between our services - maritime and also land forces,” he told reporters.

Prabowo made the comment at a joint media appearance in Tokyo following a meeting of the Japanese and Indonesian foreign and defence ministers.

“We exchanged views on the situation in the East and South China seas and shared serious concern about the continuation and strengthening of unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force,” Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said.

The meeting followed a visit to the region by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who warned China over “coercion and aggression” and criticised what he called Chinese attempts to bully neighbours with competing interests.

ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) members, which include Indonesia, remain wary of losing access to China’s economy, and are reluctant to become entangled in any confrontation between Washington and Beijing.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi also sharply criticized ongoing violence against civilians in Myanmar following its Feb. 1 military coup. “Indonesia strongly denounces this kind of act. It is unacceptable,” she said.

Retno has emerged as a voice for the region as she works to broker talks with the Myanmar military, which has killed more than 500 protesters since staging the coup.

Japan, which has extensive business interests in Myanmar, has so far refrained from meting out sanctions against the military leadership.

But Motegi told parliament on Tuesday that Tokyo, which had been the largest provider of economic assistance to Myanmar, had put its official development assistance on hold. (Reuters)

Jakarta. Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, has assured the government will not interfere in the election of the chief of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) for 2021-2026.

Pandjaitan made the assurance during a meeting with several members of Kadin's central and regional executive boards, Kadin deputy chairman Anindya Bakrie informed in a press statement released on Tuesday.

Bakrie had accompanied members of the Kadin provincial executive board for a dialog with Pandjaitan, held at the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment in Jakarta on Monday (March 29, 2021).

During the meeting, Pandjaitan stressed that the government will not side with any candidate vying for the post of Kadin chief. Instead, it supports Kadin’s efforts to become a dignified institution, he said.

"Choose, with conscience, who is the best to lead Kadin in the future. Pay attention to the track record to make the best choice,” Anindya Bakrie quoted Pandjaitan as saying at the meeting.

Pandjaitan further appealed to Kadin to focus on empowering regions and micro, small, and medium businesses, and said the government is ready to cooperate with Kadin in a closer and more effective way.

Anindya Novyan Bakrie has decided to file his nomination for the post of Kadin chief for the 2021-2026 term in place of Rosan Roeslani, who has been appointed Indonesian Ambassador to the United States. (Antaranews)

Jakarta. The Myanmar military's use of violence against anti-coup protesters is unacceptable, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi has said.

She made the remarks during a bilateral meeting with her Japanese counterpart Motegi Toshimitsu in Tokyo on Monday, where they discussed regional and global issues of mutual concern.

"Indonesia strongly rejects the (Myanmar) security force's use of violence, which led to the death of more than 100 people on March 27, 2021," Marsudi said in an online press statement on Tuesday.

Stating that Japan shared Indonesia’s concerns on the latest developments in Myanmar, she called for an immediate halt to the use of violence to avoid further tragedy and appealed to the conflicting parties to hold dialogs.

"Only by holding dialogs can Myanmar resolve its problem," Marsudi remarked.

Meanwhile, in a written statement released by the Japanese Embassy in Jakarta, Motegi strongly denounced the situation in Myanmar, which has claimed several lives.

He said he warmly welcomed ASEAN's efforts to help resolve the situation in Myanmar, adding he respected Indonesia's chairmanship in the effort.

"By always respecting the non-interference principle, since the beginning ASEAN has offered assistance to Myanmar," Marsudi said.

"Dialogs must be revived to restore democracy, peace and stability in Myanmar," she added.

At least 510 civilians have lost their lives during the two months of anti-coup demonstrations in Myanmar, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP).

The association also noted that Saturday (March 27, 2021) was the bloodiest day of the anti-coup demonstrations, marked by the death of 141 demonstrators.

Of the 14 fatalities in Myanmar on Monday (March 29, 2021), at least eight deaths were reported in South Dagon district, Yangon, where security forces reportedly used caliber weapons, which are far heavier than the regular weapons used to remove barricades of sandbags, according to eyewitness accounts.  (Antaranews)