VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Jakarta - Voinews: Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said that the culture of gotong royong had saved Indonesia from the severe impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The President admitted that he was very pleased with the behavior of the people who maintained a culture of helping each other, helping each other, and working together at the beginning of the pandemic that hit Indonesia. "Help each other, work together, and hand in hand, that is our country Indonesia, the country of Pancasila.

That is what saves us, helping each other, helping each other, and working together," said Jokowi at the opening of the 2023 National Chinese New Year Celebration at Banteng Square, Jakarta, Sunday. The president asked the public to be grateful for Indonesia's success in handling the COVID-19 pandemic which was relatively good and recognized the international world."Don't forget to be grateful that PPKM was revoked at the end of 2022 in December.

We often forget when it's delicious. Forget that it's normal now, even though this is still in a transition period," he said. Jokowi reminded that Indonesia had experienced difficult circumstances in meeting various needs for handling the COVID-19 pandemic, such as personal protective equipment (PPE), oxygen cylinders, and vaccines. This, he said, was exacerbated by the closure of public places that had to be taken to deal with the spread of COVID-19, such as malls, markets, cinemas, places of worship, to stalls and small shops.

Therefore, the President called for the culture of gotong royong and mutual help to be maintained entering the transitional period after the lifting of the implementation of restrictions on community activities (PPKM). "The big ones work hand in hand with the small ones, the middle ones work hand in hand with the small ones, the big ones work together with the small ones, all partners, a hand in hand partnership. If during a pandemic it is possible, even during normal times we must continue to help each other, helping each other so that everything will lift each other up," said Jokowi .

Previously, the Head of State began his remarks by conveying Kongzi Li's Happy Chinese New Year 2574 to all the people celebrating. "Happy Chinese New Year 2574, Gong Xi Fa Cai.

May happiness and prosperity always be with us all," said Jokowi. Also present at the opening of the 2023 National Chinese New Year Celebration included the Coordinating Minister for Politics, Law and Security Mahfud MD, Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Minister of Cooperatives, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Teten Masduki, BUMN Minister Erick Thohir, National Police Chief General Police Listyo Sigit Prabowo, and Indonesian Fifth President Megawati Seokarnoputri. (VOI/Akbar)

Jakarta - Voinews: Minister of Youth and Sports Zainudin Amali has expressed hope that the National Sports Weeks (PON) 2024 in Aceh and North Sumatra could benefit local people and the economy in Aceh.

"We hope people come to Aceh, not only because of the PON, but also for feeling at home and comfortable, and they will visit again and again," Amali said during the launching of the PON's mascot, logo, and tagline here on Saturday (January 28).

The repeated visits will certainly help push the province's economic growth, he added.

The minister said local authorities in the two provinces should make proper preparations to hold the national sport event and local people should become good hosts.

Besides showcasing achievements in national sports, the PON is expected to benefit its host provinces, Amali said.

He added that Aceh people must be proud because their region has been selected to host the PON.

"The decision to select Aceh and North Sumatra is not made without any basis, but because we believe that Aceh and North Sumatra are ready to be the event's host," he said.

He stressed the need for the two provinces to provide adequate facilities for athletes and visitors from all over the country.

According to Amali, there are some indicators of success in organizing the sports event, one of them is the economic benefit.

"The economic benefit must be enjoyed by all people around match venues and accommodation (places)," he said.

The minister also emphasized the success in organizing the PON will reflect Aceh's capability and elevate the local people's dignity and honor. (Antaranews)

Jakarta - Voinews: President Joko Widodo officially kicked off Indonesia's 2023 ASEAN Chairmanship at the launching event in Hotel Indonesia Roundabout here, Sunday.

Arriving at the roundabout with a bicycle, the president accompanied by Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, State-owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir, State Secretariat Minister Pratikno, and Public Works and Public Housing Minister Basuki Hadmuljono.

Jokowi was welcomed by residents who flocked the roundabout for the launching, as well as a marching band performance and a parade of traditional costumes. Foreign ambassadors also attended the ceremony and welcomed the president.

In his remarks, Jokowi said that Indonesia continued the success of the G20 Presidency in 2022 with the ASEAN Chairmanship this year despite global uncertainties and challenges.

"Economic crisis, energy crisis, food crisis, as well as warfare, we face all of them this year," he noted.

The president, however, emphasised that ASEAN will remain essential and relevant for the people, the Southeast Asian region, and all. He also said that ASEAN would continue contributing to the Indo-Pacific region and maintaining regional economic growth.

"ASEAN will continue contributing to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. ASEAN will help maintain economic growth because ASEAN matters and is the epicentre of growth," he emphasised.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Marsudi said that this year's ASEAN Chairmanship theme, "ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth," reflects what Indonesia is seeking to achieve in its chairmanship.

"If we see the theme, we have two major elements. The first element is ASEAN Matters, which means that through its chairmanship, Indonesia continues making ASEAN relevant and important, not only for the Indonesian people but also for the ASEAN people and beyond," Marsudi explained.

Indonesia is keen to make ASEAN the "locomotive" to maintain the Indo-Pacific region as a peaceful and stable region, she said.

The minister stated that the second element of the theme, "Epicentrum of Growth", means that Indonesia wants to capitalise on ASEAN's economic growth, which always records above-average growth than the global economy.

Indonesia took over the ASEAN Chairmanship from its previous holder Cambodia at the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on November 14, 2022. (antaranews)

Jakarta - Voinews: Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno said the ministry would help promoting the hidden gem tourist attractions in regions.

"I ask the governors, mayors, and district heads to inform (me) about hidden gems, tourism attractions that we do not know. Inform me and I will promote it. If we promote it, God Willing, more tourists will come," Uno stated at the 2023 Kharisma Event Nusantara (KEN) Festival launching in Beautiful Indonesia in Miniature Park (TMII) here, Saturday (January 28).

The KEN Festival in 2022 had driven three million domestic tourist movements and developed 11 thousand micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), 55 thousand event/art actors, 250 associations and communities, as well as created jobs for 11 thousand workers.

The 2023 KEN, involving 110 top events curated from 38 Indonesian provinces, is expected to attract the visit of domestic and foreign tourists which will benefit the national economy.

Among the events that participated in this year's KEN are Aceh Culinary Festival, Bogor Street Festival, Jember Fashion Carnaval, Samosir Music International, and Tomohon International Flower Festival.

Besides the 2023 KEN, the ministry also launched Sportive, a special classification for sports, music, and creative festivals, which includes 65 events this year.

"(Through) the Sportive and 2023 KEN we launched today, and through innovation, adaptation, and collaboration, let us be proud to travel in Indonesia," Uno said.

On the same occasion, the minister encouraged tourism associations to organise quality events at the start of 2023 to expedite the national economic recovery and growth.

"I see that all events from Sabang to Merauke can drive the regional economy through cultural, sports, and festival events. I also see that the key to economic awakening is to organise quality events," he remarked. (Antaranews)