Livestream
Special Interview
Video Streaming
Editorial (907)
December
Four months ahead of the 2019 General Election (elections) the frenzy of democratic parties that lasted once in five years was increasingly felt. There are several problems that arise, starting from the problem of the rights of persons with mental disabilities in the General Election, the discovery of the Electronic Population Identity Card (e-KTP) is damaged and scattered, to the quality of the ballot boxes.
The invasion of electronic KTP was invalid (broken) and scattered, making some parties, especially those who have interests in the upcoming 2019 elections, worried about fraud. For this reason, Interior Minister Tjahjo Kumolo has instructed his ranks to assign the Population and Civil Registration Service to carry out extermination.
In addition to the KTP problem, there is now a problem with the quality of the ballot box. A number of politicians in the House of Representatives Senayan again fussed about the potential for fraud when the vote was held.
This time the trigger was the decision of the General Election Commission (KPU) to use a waterproof or cardboard cardboard ballot box which is also popular as a cardboard ballot box. There are a number of parties who question the use of ballot boxes made from soft materials rather than aluminum, because they are prone to damage or damage to the purpose of fraud.
In Article 341 of the Election Law which is an agreement of a political party in the rRkyat Representative Council (DPR) it is stated that the ballot box must be transparent and the ballots in it can be seen. Actually it is on this basis that the KPU procures again to replace the old ballot box made of aluminum.
Sound boxes made from cardboard are actually not new. This type has been used in a number of polling stations in the 2014 election and in three simultaneous regional elections that have been held, namely 2015, 2017 and 2018.
The use of cardboard ballot boxes in the elections to be held on April 17, 2019 departs from the spirit of budget efficiency. This is done because there has been an increase in the number of polling stations almost doubling in the upcoming elections.
The potential for fraud in the election, both at the time of voting, when distributing ballots and when recapitulation of votes, is indeed worth watching out together. However, it does not mean that any election management policy must be suspected. Cheating can occur not because the ballot box is made of what material, but because of weak supervision.
To reduce this frenzy, the General Election Commission and the Election Supervisory Body (Bawaslu) must truly ensure the voting process at the polling stations, the distribution of voting conditions until the recapitulation is safe from fraud. Simultaneous elections which become a new test for the maturity of the Indonesian nation in this democracy must be guaranteed to run honestly and fairly.
December
Indonesian National Police had a Formed Police Unit and Individual Police Officer Barret Ceremony at National Police’s Multi-purpose Training Center, in Cikeas, Bogor Regency,West Java on Sunday (16/12). The ceremony was given for Garuda Bhayangkara force in UN peace mission. National Police’s International Relations Division Head Insp. Gen. Maltha said this year Indonesia deployed more personnel compared to previous years. The increase was according to UN’s demand, since Indonesia is one of the most-ready contingent in the peace mission.Maltha said there were 381 personnel and 40 of them were Female Police. They join the Formed Police Unit which is sent to Sudan for United Nations African Mission in Darfur (UNAMID); and to Central Africa for Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA). While the rest become Police Advisor to South Sudan, Haiti, and Congo.Members of Formed Police Unit and Police Advisor Indonesia will be on duty for one year. Their special mission is securing UN’s vital objects. They also must carry out Police Advisor’s duties such as protecting refugees and securing humanitarian aid distribution process.Joining UN Peacekeeping Force is an example of Indonesia’s commitment in maintaining world order which is based on independence, eternal peace, and social justice. All these are written in the Preamble of Indonesian 1945 Constitution. Indonesia’s involvement in UN peace mission has been ongoing since 1957.The deployment is also part of Indonesia’s efforts in fulfilling the promise to contribute to peace creation in conflicted countries. Specially, VP Jusuf Kalla in a public debate session at 73rd UN General Assembly Session in New York, on September said that Indonesia will deploy 4,000 peacekeepers until 2019 by increasing women’s proportion.Certainly, there is a special reason for Indonesia in having more women in peacekeeping force. Actually, it is not only because currently the number of women are only 3% of the total personnel or just to fulfill the UN Security Council Resolution no. 1325 / 2000 which prioritizes women’s role in peace negotiation and post-conflict reconstruction. But, they also have to protect the women and young girls from sexual violence during armed conflict.The role of female peacekeeping forces is significant, especially in post-conflict reconstruction mission. Women are more easily accepted and trusted in helping other women and children. Indonesian women peacekeepers can also be an example of how gender equality is implemented in Indonesia, a country with most Muslim population.
December
Every December 13, Indonesia commemorates Nusantara Day, the archipelago day. This commemoration is to commemorate the service of former Prime Minister, Djoeanda Kartawidjaja who bravely declared on 13 December 1957 that the Indonesian sea was included in the surrounding sea, between and within the Indonesian archipelago to become a unitary state of the Republic of Indonesia -NKRI. Nusantara Day was officially stipulatedby the 5th President of the Republic of Indonesia, Megawati Soekarnoputri through Presidential Decree No.126 / 2001.
The present generation deserves to be grateful, because without the Djoeanda Declaration, Indonesia's sea territory only covers the sea three miles from the coastline that surrounds the islands in Indonesia. Thus, among the Indonesian islands there is a free international sea, which separates one island from another and this means a threat to the NKRI. In addition, without the Djoeanda Declaration, Indonesia's marine wealth potential is only around 1/3 of its current potential.
Chairperson of the Indonesian Farmers and Fishermen Movement, Prof. Rokhmin Dahuri said that Indonesia has a huge economic potential in the marine sector. If the economic potential of the marine sector is managed optimally, these economic potentials can reach US$1.2 trillion dollars per year and are estimated to be able to employ 40 million people.
Based on the theme of the Archipelago Day 2018 commemoration, "The Realization of the Whole Unity of the Archipelago through the Juanda Declaration", the commemoration of the Nusantara Day is very important for the present generation to unite the feeling of being Indonesian citizens, considering the threat of national disintegration and separatism is still a threat to the NKRI.
In addition, the commemoration of the Archipelago Day is very important to remind all components of the Indonesian nation that maritime power is a source of Indonesian nation's strength. Indonesian sea not only unites, connects islands to islands, but also has a large source of wealth. Indonesia still has to work hard to enhance the economic potential of the marine sector so that it can become a source of people's welfare.
December
Indonesia is a country that consists of more than 13,000 islands, 250 ethnicities and various kinds of cultures that are a source of national strength and potential. Thus, the 2018 Indonesian Culture Congress held on December 5-9 becomes very important for the influences of foreign cultures that enter without limits through various media. Moreover, the domestic political situation ahead of the 2019 Election currently tends to heat up and potentially lead to nation’s split. It takes thoughts and willingness to accept and respect differences, both related to the culture of the Indonesian nation and other nations’.
At the closing of the 2018 Indonesian Culture Congress, last Sunday (9/12), President Joko Widodo emphasizedthe importance of the spirit of tolerance in interacting amid the complexity of today's culture. He argued that interaction in various matters, including word contestation and politics would result in utterances of jealousy and hatred if not accompanied by tolerance.Therefore, President Joko Widodo took for example that at present,Indonesia needs a stage of tolerant interaction.
Meanwhile, Director General of Culture at the Ministry of Education and Culture, Hilmar Farid said that facing other differences and influences, Indonesian people have to position culture as inclusive one. Because, the characteristics of inclusive culture are mutual learning, knowing each other, knowing each other's views, understanding each other, and empathizing. So, tolerance will arise from understanding, instead of doctrine.
The 2018 Indonesian Culture Congress is expected to be a significant event to work and produce various ideas for the progress of the Indonesian nation in the future. Naturally, the discussion of cultural strategies that have been going on for 10 years, often leads to delays due to various interests. Fortunately, there are points in the Cultural Strategic Agenda that have been successfully formulated at the 2018 Cultural Congress. These points are to provide space for the diversity of cultural expressions and encourage cultural interaction to strengthen the inclusive culture. This is expected to be a reference in handling and maintaining the sustainability of national culture.
Then, the results of the congress become recommendation to be immediately followed up by the government as the regulator of the Indonesian nation. However, the effectiveness of the Cultural Strategic Agenda does not have to depend on the government alone. The Indonesian people must love and feel proud as part of the Indonesian nation. Thus, all stakeholders have to maintain and respect each other and agree on the values of the diversity of the Indonesian nation in a culture.
December
With tireless efforts, Theresa May, the current British Prime Minister is trying to get the results of the referendum that sets Britain out of the European Union. There were two things that May did to immediately arrive at the end of this agreement. The first approached European leaders some time ago, until finally EU leaders agreed. Now Theresa May is approaching EU leaders again to revise the Brexit agreement. However, May found her efforts rejected. European Union leaders say the Brexit agreement cannot be renegotiated.
The second is convincing his own party to support his steps in the Brexit issue. In this case, May faced difficulties. The British Prime Minister faces challenges from his own camp, the Conservative party. Actually this is a continuation of May's own decision to postpone voting / voting in Parliament because May felt the need to lobby European Union leaders first. May's leadership was shaken, because last Wednesday (December 12, 201), the Conservative parliamentarians had reached a quorum to carry out a motion of no confidence in May. The quorum was reached after at least 48 Conservative party MPs supported the motion.
Why did May postpone voting? It seems that May feels that if the vote is carried out beforehand, the Brexit agreement will be rejected with a significant vote difference. Instead of getting support, the resignation of voting time even made May on the edge. Some figures have been included in the May replacement candidate queue; like Boris Johnson, Sajid Javid and Amber Rudd.
After Thursday's voting, British Prime Minister Theresa May escaped a vote of no confidence with 200 votes in support of 117 opposing votes. Thus, at least May will still be the Prime Minister for the next year. May's task is to oversee the Brexit plenary session on March 29, 2019. After Brexit is finished, what else will Theresa May do? The world looks forward to what drama will happen in Britain after Brexit.
December
Every December 13, Indonesia commemorates Nusantara Day, the archipelago day. This commemoration is to commemorate the service offormer Prime Minister, Djoeanda Kartawidjaja who bravely declared on 13 December 1957 that the Indonesian sea was included in the surrounding sea, between and within the Indonesian archipelago to become a unitary state of the Republic of Indonesia -NKRI. Nusantara Day was officially stipulatedby the 5th President of the Republic of Indonesia, Megawati Soekarnoputri through Presidential Decree No.126 / 2001.
The present generation deserves to be grateful, because without the Djoeanda Declaration, Indonesia's sea territory only covers the sea three miles from the coastline that surrounds the islands in Indonesia. Thus, among the Indonesian islands there is a free international sea, which separates one island from another and this means a threat to the NKRI. In addition, without the Djoeanda Declaration, Indonesia's marine wealth potential is only around 1/3 of its current potential.
Chairperson of the Indonesian Farmers and Fishermen Movement, Prof. Rokhmin Dahuri said that Indonesia has a huge economic potential in the marine sector. If the economic potential of the marine sector is managed optimally, these economic potentials can reach US$1.2 trillion dollars per year and are estimated to be able to employ 40 million people.
Based on the theme of the Archipelago Day 2018 commemoration, "The Realization of the Whole Unity of the Archipelago through the Juanda Declaration", the commemoration of the Nusantara Day is very important for the present generation to unite the feeling of being Indonesian citizens, considering the threat of national disintegration and separatism is still a threat to the NKRI.
In addition, the commemoration of the Archipelago Day is very important to remind all components of the Indonesian nation that maritime power is a source of Indonesian nation's strength. Indonesian sea not only unites, connects islands to islands, but also has a large source of wealth. Indonesia still has to work hard to enhance the economic potential of the marine sector so that it can become a source of people's welfare.
December
The ongoing demonstrations in Paris that triggered riots have become a test point for the credibility and continuation of French President Emmanuel Macron administration. The protests, which took place every Saturday, ended with riots spreading into a movement to bring down President Macron. The action known as the mass action of the Yellow Vest last Saturday caused 92 people including police officers injured in the riots. It was originally started by residents of the suburbs of Paris who protested the government's decision to increase the price of fuel oil and taxes. It then turned into chaos. Middle class citizens who are worried about Macron's policies, joined in and made a wave of demonstrations and demanded Macron to step down. The pressure of the protesters caused Prime Minister Edouard Philippe meet up with two representatives of the protesters. However, he failed to stop the next demonstration which was followed by even more citizens of Paris and its surroundings. According to some polls 72 percent citizens support the Yellow Vest. However, 90 percent of French people rejected acts of violence. President Emanuel Macron has demanded legal responsibility of the demonstrators due to riots that occurred and caused damage. In fact, President Macron had succumbed to revoking his policy by delaying the fuel tax increase which resulted in rising fuel prices throughout France. Nevertheless the demonstration resumed with the demand for the resignation of Macron who has been in office for for just 18 months. For the President of France who is the youngest head of state in French history, this wave of demonstrations is a test of his policy and continuity of government. Whether the demonstrations in France, which are the biggest and worst ever, will be the trigger for a political movement that will determine the end of Macron's government, remain to be seen. Macron's failure to overcome this political crisis will show whether the youngest President in the French history, will also be the shortest-serving President due to his policies which caused massive demonstrations or not.
December
The ongoing demonstrations in Paris that triggered riots have become a test poins for the credibility and continuation of French President Emmanuel Macron administration. The protests, which took place every Saturday, ended with riots spreading into a movement to bring down President Macron. The action known as the mass action of the Yellow Vest last Saturday caused 92 people including police officers injured in the riots.
It was originally started by residents of the suburbs of Paris who protested the government's decision to increase the price of fuel oil and taxes. It then turned into chaos. Middle class citizens who are worried about Macron's policies, joined in and made a wave of demonstrations anddemanded Macron to step down.
The pressure of the protesters caused Prime Minister Edouard Philippe meet up with two representatives of the protesters. However, he failed to stop the next demonstration which wasfollowed by even more citizens of Paris and its surroundings. According to some polls 72 percent citizenssupport the Yellow Vest. However, 90 percent of French people rejected acts of violence. President Emanuel Macron has demanded legal responsibility of the demonstrators due to riots that occurred and caused damage.
In fact, President Macron had succumbed to revoking his policy by delaying the fuel tax increase which resulted in rising fuel prices throughout France. Nevertheless the demonstration resumed with the demand for the resignation of Macron who has been in office for for just 18 months. For the President of France who is the youngest head of state in French history, this wave of demonstrations is a test of his policy and continuity of government.
Whether the demonstrations in France, which are the biggest and worst ever, will be the trigger for a political movement that will determine the end of Macron's government, remain to be seen. Macron's failure to overcome this political crisis will show whether the youngest Presidentin the French history, will also be the shortest-serving President due to his policies which caused massive demonstrations or not.
December
The United Nations (UN) effort to end the civil war in Yemen has progressed. The conflicting parties, namely the Houthi rebels and the Yemeni Government are willing to attend the peace talks in Sweden. Scheduled to take place in the near future, the meeting will likely be implemented. This was marked by the good faith in the form of evacuating dozens of wounded Houthi rebels in the Yemeni capital. Evacuation efforts are reportedly carried out by the Saudi-led military coalition. This step, which is a step forward, gives hope of a change of attitude between the two conflicting parties.
Previously, the UN's efforts to find a peaceful solution through the negotiating table were planned to take place last September. It was canceledbecause at that time the Houthi rebels considered the UN had not fully guaranteed protection for them.
The cancellation of the negotiations last September did not dampen the spirit of the United Nations in seeking a peaceful way. The world body continues to persuade the Houthi militant group to the negotiating table in Stockholm. The road to this direction shows hope when the Saudi-backed military coalition evacuates around 50 Houthis from the city of Sanaa. Along with that, the UN envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffith, was also present in Yemen to persuade the Houthi rebels to go to the negotiating table in Stockholm.
The arrival of the UN envoy in Yemen was also intended to pressure Saudi Arabia to reduce the blockade of the main Sanaa airport which has been controlled by Houthi militants a few years ago.
The international community hopes that the UN step to reconcile the two conflicting parties in Yemen has been realized. Efforts to bring together rival countrymen at the negotiating table are expected to be the first step towards peace. However, it will still depend on two countries known to have interfered in the conflict in Yemen. Namely, Saudi Arabia which is supporting the government, and Iran which is behind the strength of the Houthi rebels. The wil of the two countries shall determine whether the conflict in Yemen can be stopped or not. So that people in that country can enjoy peace and harmony again .
That was commentary
December
Indonesia is a country that consists of more than 13,000 islands, 250 ethnicities and various kinds of cultures that are a source of national strength and potential. Thus, the 2018 Indonesian Culture Congress held on December 5-9 becomes very important for the influences of foreign cultures that enter without limits through various media. Moreover, the domestic political situation ahead of the 2019 Election currently tends to heat up and potentially lead to nation’s split. It takes thoughts and willingness to accept and respect differences, both related to the culture of the Indonesian nation and other nations’.
At the closing of the 2018 Indonesian Culture Congress, last Sunday (9/12), President Joko Widodo emphasized the importance of the spirit of tolerance in interacting amid the complexity of today's culture. He argued that interaction in various matters, including word contestation and politics would result in utterances of jealousy and hatred if not accompanied by tolerance.Therefore, President Joko Widodo took for examplethat at present, Indonesia needs a stage of tolerant interaction.
Meanwhile, Director General of Culture at the Ministry of Education and Culture, Hilmar Farid said that facing other differences and influences,Indonesian people have to position culture as inclusive one. Because, the characteristics of inclusive culture are mutual learning, knowing each other, knowing each other's views, understanding each other, and empathizing. So, tolerance will arise from understanding, instead of doctrine.
The 2018 Indonesian Culture Congress is expected to be a significant event to work and produce various ideas for the progress of the Indonesian nation in the future. Naturally, the discussion of cultural strategies that have been going on for 10 years, often leads to delays due to various interests. Fortunately, there are points in the Cultural Strategic Agenda that have been successfully formulated at the 2018 Cultural Congress. These points are to provide space for the diversity of cultural expressions and encourage cultural interaction to strengthen the inclusive culture. This is expected to be a reference in handling and maintaining the sustainability of national culture.
Then, the results of the congress become recommendation to be immediately followed up by the government as the regulator of the Indonesiannation. However, the effectiveness of the Cultural Strategic Agenda does not have to depend on the government alone. The Indonesian people must love and feel proud as part of the Indonesian nation. Thus, all stakeholders have to maintain and respect each other and agree on the values of the diversity of the Indonesian nation in a culture.
