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May
Although there has been a psy-war through harsh statements, the United States and North Korea, apparently continue to prepare for the High Level Meeting between US President Donald Trump and North Korean Leader Kim Jong-un. US State Department Spokesman Heather Nauert in Washington said Monday, a US delegation had been on the border of the two Koreas , and that South Korea was already in talks with North Korean officials. He said both sides continue to prepare for the meeting between Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un. Previously , it was reported that a number of South Korean officials had even visited North Korea, and met up with the country’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs. Besides preparation for possibile High Level Conference in North Korea and the borders of the two Koreas, both US and North Korean officials have visited Singapore which is planned to be the location of the Summit. Preparatory efforts can give signal that Wahington and Pyong Yang are still committed to resuming talks, although diplomatic statements may heat things up. One of the US allies, Japan, issued a declaration that gave pressure to North Korea. In a telephone conversation between Washington and Tokyo, Donald Trump and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe agreed to urge North Korea to dismantle all its nuclear testing sites. The Trump and Abe talks came just after high-ranking North Korean and US officials met in Pan Mun Jom to discuss the possibility of a high-level meeting. Trump and Abe, also agreed to meet before the Singapore Summit. The steps of the United States and its allies are openly expressed through media coverage. What remains unknown is the North Korean move with its greatest ally, China. North Korea certainly does not stay silent in the face of diplomatic moves by Washington. However, China’s position as a North Korean ally certainly can not be disregarded.
May
Although there has been a nervous war through harsh statements, the United States and North Korea, it seems to be continuing the preparations for holding the summit. Preparatory efforts and approaches for talks between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
The statement was made by US State Department Spokesman Heather Nauert in Washington. Nauert said Monday that a United States delegation had been on the border of North Korea and South Korea holding talks with North Korean officials. It is said that both sides continue to prepare for a meeting between the President of the United States and the North Korean Leader. Previously reported a number of South Korean officials have even visited North Korea, met with the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Korea.
In addition to North Korea and the borders of the two Koreas, the preparation for the possibility of the High Level Conference is also done by visiting Singapore which is planned to be the location of the Summit. The visit to Singapore was conducted by both US and North Korean officials.
Preparatory preparation efforts can signal that Washington and Pyongyang are still committed to resuming talks, although diplomatic statements may heat things up.
One of the United States' allies, Japan, issued a declaration that tapped North Korea. In a telephone conversation between Washington and Tokyo, Donald Trump and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe agreed to pressure North Korea to dismantle all its nuclear testing sites. The Trump and Abe talks came just after high-ranking North and US officials met in Panmunjom to discuss the possibility of a high-level meeting.
Trump and Abe, also agreed to meet before the Singapore Summit.
The steps of the United States and its allies are openly expressed through media coverage. What remains unknown is the North Korean move with its great ally, China. North Korea certainly also does not stay silent with acts of diplomatic action conducted Washington. However, China as a North Korean ally certainly can not be denied its position.
May
Prohibition for ex-Convicted Corruption Cases Should Be regulated in The Constitution
Written by
The General Election Commission -KPU is highlighting a discourse to prohibit former corruption case convicts to become legislative candidates. The discourse had been discussed in a hearing with the House of Representatives at Commission II on May 22, 2018. The KPU will prohibit not only ex-convicted corruption cases, but also ex-convicted drug dealers and sexual crimes against children to become legislative candidates -Caleg.However, the discourse of the ban is not approved by the Commission II of the House of Representatives –DPR. Home Affairs Ministry and the Election Supervisory Board agree that the KPU shall stick to the Election Law No. 7/2017. One article of the election law explains that a prospective candidate of legislative who is an ex-prisoner and has served a sentence of five years or longer, may nominates himself or herself by informing to the public that his or her status is ex-prisoner.
Although KPU does not get the approval from DPR, the government and the Election Supervisory Board, it seems that KPU is adamant with its discourse. KPU Commissioner, Wahyu Setiawan said that KPU tends to make the former corruption case prisoner unable to register as a legislative candidate.
KPU wants to create a new breakthrough with a good goal by making the state institutions, such as DPR free from corruption. But unfortunately, the prohibition of ex-corruption convicted candidates cannot be made in KPU regulations (PKPU) but it must be made at the level of the Act.
The limitation of the political rights of former corruption case prisoners, if done beyond the law, this directly violates the 1945 Constitution. Based on the 1945 Constitution, it states that the limitation of the right should only be done in two ways, namely by law and court verdict. As long as there is no law or court verdict that regulates, the rights of the ex-prisoner cannot be eliminated.
Many parties agree with the KPU's plan to limit ex-corrupt prisoners to become legislative candidates. Unfortunately, it cannot be through the KPU regulations whose level is under the Act. Therefore, KPU should try harder to encourage that the prohibition of the former corruption case convicts is regulated based on the 1945 Constitution. (Brg)
May
The world is looking forward to a meeting between US President Donald Trump and North Korean Leader Kim Jong-Un, scheduled for June 12th. However, amid awaiting realization of the historic moment, Pyongyang on Tuesday (15/5) local time, suddenly threatened to cancel the summit.
North Korean Deputy Foreign Minister, Kim Kye Gwan said that his country is no longer interested in the talks and will reconsider its attendance. The reason is that because the United States is considered to provoke Pyongyang ahead of the summit by throwing "stupid statements".
One thing that angers North Korea is the assertion of US hardline conservative politician, John Bolton over the weekend. He said that North Korea could follow Libya's nuclear disarmament model. That is to stop the entire weapon program first, and then to obtain economic assistance.
Another reason why Pyongyang is not interested in the talks is that the US demands for denuclearization. Unilaterally, the United States demands that North Korea halts its nuclear weapons program for the June-12 meeting between both heads of states.
The agreement on Kim Jong-un and Donald Trump Summit is a major breakthrough after the meeting of two Korean leaders, Kim Jong-un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in in Panmunjom last April 27. At the meeting, North Korea said that it was committed to carrying out the denuclearization on the Korean peninsula.
However, it does not mean that steps towards denuclearization of the Korean peninsula run smoothly. It should be understood that North Korea has spent so much time and money over the years to build its nuclear weapons. All of these are to show its existence as a powerful country. Thus, the denuclearization demand is very heavy for North Korea.
Due to the nuclear significance for the North, since the beginning Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has warned that talks on denuclearization on the Korean peninsula may not run smoothly. The United States and its allies need to be patient and careful in taking steps, including in issuing statements, which tend to injure previously built commitment.
May
The planned meeting between US President Donald Trump and North Korean Leader Kim Jong-un in Singapore in June has been cancelled and it was colored with tension and uncertainty. However, North Korea has shown its seriousness to close the Punggye-ri nuclear site in North Hamgyong Province. So seriously, North Korea blew up three tunnels and supporting devices that international media journalists witnessed on Thursday (May 24, 2018). A journalist who was present said that the explosion was seen in three tunnels and could be spotted from close observation around 500 meters away.
The presence of international media journalists at Punggye-ri nuclear sites has been reported by South Korea's News Agency –Yonhap. Some journalists of South Korea, the United States, China, Russia and England were present last Tuesday. Yonhap also mentioned that North Korea will destroy underground tunnels and other facilities on the site.
But the tension still happened because North Korea had threatened to stop the dialogue, when it was alleged, the United States and Korea South launched joint military exercises. Mike Pompeo's mission to keep inviting North Korea to the next stage seemed to succeed after North Korea wanted to destroy its nuclear facilities. The destruction was conducted by North Korea after the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met North Korean Leader Kim Jong-un.
The meeting itself took place in a friendly atmosphere. But in the midst of a less conducive atmosphere, US Vice President Mike Pence made a statement to the media on Monday (May 21) that could have damaged what Pompeo has been trying to do.
The United States pledged to help North Korea and not overthrow North Korean regime if North Korea would stop its nuclear program. President Trump then issued a statement through tweeters that sadly, President Donald Trump was forced to cancel the 4-eye meeting with Leader Kim Jong-un in Singapore.
We certainly hope that even though the planned meeting between US President Donald Trump and North Korean Leader Kim Jong-un in Singapore next June was canceled, goodwill towards peace that has begun to grow should be followed-up next. We encourage that there should a meeting which is based on mutual trust. If the issue on the Korean Peninsula is over, there are still problems in other regions around the world that must also be dealt with.
May
The implementation of the 18th Asian Games is a few months to come. The opening of every four years of this Asian Games will be held on August 18, 2018 in Jakarta, Indonesia. The implementation will be held in Jakarta and Palembang, South Sumatra. The preparation for the event, including Infrastructure and facilities has reached more than 90 percent. Serious efforts which are currently being prepared by the Asian Games 2018 Organizing Committee -INASGOC are both the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2018 Asian Games. Around 5,500 performers and 141 musicians are involved, including top Indonesian singers and musicians who take part in the 18th Asian Games to succeed. What is the message to be conveyed through artwork by artists for the Asian Games? Director of the Recording Industry Association of Indonesia – ASIRI, Jusak Irwan Sutiono expressed his true involvement because he feels that the Asian Games is for all and should be supported. This feels like in Official Theme Song Asian Games 2018, "Bright as Sun"
Raise the flag of your nation
Located on the highest pole
Make your young soul
Carve history
The spirit of competition is felt in the lyrics of this song. Because every athlete will certainly do his or her best effort to record history for Indonesia. The message is also a driving force for Indonesian athletes to present the best for the nation and country. The best contributions are also being prepared by other artists. Over 250 dancers from 18 high schools in Jakarta have joined intensive training to perform Indonesian modern packaged culture. While 2000 professional dancers, high school students and art college students are also engaged to be part of the spectacular opening and closing performances of the Asian Games. The involvement of artists in the 18th Asian Games means a lot. Because frequently, the success of a sporting event is measured from the opening and closing ceremonies. Moreover, the ceremony will be broadcast to 45 countries in Asia and some other continents, such as American continent. Great expectations are concentrated on the hard work of Indonesian artists or art workers who refer to the creative groups and the committees who have more than one year to prepare the opening and closing of the 2018 Asian Games. Moreover, there are Olympic standards that the Asian Games must be fulfilled. For Indonesia, the Asian Games not only organizes sports competitions, but also becomes one of the media to promote Indonesia's strength and potential. The opening and closing ceremonies of the 2018 Asian Games become golden moment to perform the work of Indonesian artists who are parallel with the world’s artistic creation.
May
In Indonesia, there have been repeated acts of terrorism that killed not only the perpetrators, but also other people around the scene. The acts make the community angry, and why these deadly actions continue to happen and finally pose conflict.
The suicide bombing was carried out by a family of six in Surabaya and Sidoarjo, East Java on May 13, 2018 with the target of operating three churches. It’s a pity to witness kids being involved in the suicide bombing.
At a limited meeting of terrorism prevention and countermeasures in Jakarta on May 22, 2018, President Joko Widodo insisted that the eradication of terrorism is not enough just by enforcing the law and dismantling terrorist networks to the roots. The eradication of terrorism must be balanced with soft power approach.
President Joko Widodo views that the de-radicalization program must be optimized, not only to clean the ex-terrorists, but also to clean up educational institutions at all levels and the general stages of the misleading understanding of terrorism.
Consciously or not, terrorists are everywhere. There are a lot of suspected terrorists who have been arrested by security apparatus. However, is it possible that legal action against terrorists can finish them to the root?
Although many terrorists have been caught and sentenced, their acts take place again and again with new perpetrators. So in fact, what should be done so that terrorism really does not exist anymore in this country?
It’s terrifying to know that radicalism has entered the world of education, from an early age to college. Based on the survey results of Indonesian Institute of Sciences -LIPI in 2016, 25% of students and 21% of teachers claimed that Pancasila, which is known as the ideology of the Indonesian nation that is plural, is no longer relevant. Meanwhile, the survey of the National Agency for Counter-Terrorism in 2017 also shows that 39% of students in 15 provinces in Indonesia indicated to be interested in radical understanding.
Rector of Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Dwia Tina Palubuhu in a limited meeting with President Joko Widodo, said that the de-radicalization program can be carried out by encouraging students to be proud as a peaceful and tolerant Indonesian people. They should be proud to have Pancasila with humanity values. In the forum, Head of National Agency for Counter-Terrorism, Suhardi Alius proposed to restore nationalism through the school curriculum. Minister of Education and Culture, Muhadjir Effendy requires all teachers to teach the real strengthening of character education, not just theory.
Most importantly, Indonesian people must always be watchful not to be influenced by misleading and unreasonable teachings. They must be fortified with a correct understanding of their religion that loves peace, because there is no religion teaching its followers to pose conflict, let alone to kill humans' lives.
May
A series of recent terrorist attacks in several cities in Indonesia highlight the discourse of reviving the Joint Special Operations Command of Indonesian Armed Forces –TNI (Koopssusgab). The goal is to help police counter terrorist attacks.
Koopssusgab was actually inaugurated on June 9, 2015, when the Chief of Staff Office of the President, Moeldoko was the then Commander of the TNI. The command comprises of a special force of troops consisting of three TNI dimensions, namely the Sat-81 Gultor Army Special Forces Command, the Naval Detachment of the Navy, and the Satbravo 90 Air Forces Typical Forces Corps. The main concept is to form troops that can be deployed immediately when there is a hazardous situation concerning terrorism. The tasks of the Koopssusgab handled at that time were limited to extraordinary operations. However, some time later, the Operation Command was frozen.
This year, terrorists launch their acts and kill many lives, including police personnel. Various parties have started proposing re-involvement of Koopssusgab fight against terrorism across Indonesia. However, this discourse raises controversy. On one hand, there are those who support the plan as long as the rules are strict, On the other hand, some do not agree and ask the government to complete the first process of revision of the law against terrorism.
Meanwhile, Chief of Staff Office of President, Moeldoko told reporters on Wednesday (16/5) that President Joko Widodo has approved the reactivation of Koopsusgab belonging to the TNI. The revision of Law No. 15/2003 on Eradication of Criminal Acts of Terrorism has not been legalized by Parliament today. In fact, law enforcers need a certain legal umbrella to take preventive action.
Whatever the decision will be, the involvement of all security forces to fight against terrorism must have a strong legal basis and respect for human rights. Military assistance is required only if the situation is not able to be addressed by the police. In addition, it should be clearly determined when the Joint Special Operations Command –Koopssusgab starts and ends. The Indonesian experience shows that prolonged repressive measures are ineffective, and may pose new problems later on. The government should also be able to convince the general public that the Joint Special Operations Command -Koopssusgab of the TNI along with the police will ensure the security of the citizens, lest the people even feel that there is a new terror.
May
The Islamic State Group of Iraq and Syria, ISIS have left the Syrian capital. As reported, the Syrian Military have forced the radical rebel group out of Damascus, after the Military completely controlled the city. The expulsion of ISIS from Damascus has made the citizens of Damascus feel more relaxed and able to observe their holy month Ramadan in peace. But not long after the ISIS left Damascus, at least 26 Syrian troops and their allies were reportedly attacked and killed by the ISIS group in the Badya region.
A human rights monitoring organization in Syria reported, ISIS attacked one of military headquarters at dawn, targeting the government forces in Badiya desert area on the Iraqi and Syrian border. The expulsion of the ISIS group from Damascus and the following ceasefire, did not immediately stop the acts of violence by the ISIS. Attempts to eliminate the group can not be done by the Syrian government alone. The location of the radical group movements in the Iraqi and Syrian border should be jointly carried out by both countries.
The problem is, their concentration is not just to combat ISIS which had entered the territory of Syria and controlled parts of Damascus, from 2015 until they were forced out just recently. The civil war crisis in Syria then, became one of ISIS's opportunities to enter the country. Until now, Syria is still struggling with the civil war that began raging in 2011 and has costed thousands of lives and devastated parts of the region.
The same thing also happened to Iraq. Therefore ISIS can still move by utilizing the chaos in both countries. Not only that, efforts to anticipate the development of ISIS also should be the attention of other countries. The impact of ISIS on a number of countries, including Indonesia, has caused them to make serious efforts to anticipate the effects of this movement. ISIS has now become an international threat. The cohesiveness in stopping the group should be a common concern.
May
The Spirit of Unity in the 110th Commemoration of National Awakening
Written by Maryati
National awakening is a moment of arousing the sense and spirit of unity, nationalism and awareness to fight for the independence of a country. In Indonesia, the National Awakening is commemorated every May 20th. 110 years ago, precisely in 1908, Dr. Soetomo and several students of STOVIA, the School of Doctor Education in the Dutch colonial era, founded a youth organization called ‘Boedi Oetomo’.Forty years later or in 1948, President Sukarno set May 20th as the insurgence day of nationalism.
Boedi Oetomo is a social, economic and cultural organization instead of political one. The establishment of Budi Utomo became the beginning of a movement aimed at achieving Indonesian independence. Boedi Oetomo became a marker that the Indonesian people for the first time realized the importance of unity. Being united is a key word when Indonesians want to achieve noble ideals. Boedi Oetomo has provided an example of how to assemble and organize without seeing the matters related to tribes, religions and groups. At the end, all of these could encourage the growing spirit of nationalism that became the main engine of achieving independence.
What would happen if awareness of being united did not nurture among the Indonesian people at the time? Now, a hundred and ten years later, the Indonesian nation has grown into a great and developing nation, parallel to some countries. The people of Indonesia have enjoyed the results of their heroes’ struggle in the form of improved economy, health, and education. Boedi Oetomo was established by several people who were aware of the importance of being united. From those people, the occurrence of unity spread to become a capital for the Indonesian nation and finally, this achieved independence. If 110 years ago, the Indonesian people who did not have anything but the spirit, could be united to achieve the common goal, namely independence.
Thus now, the spirit of being united must keep being enlivened. More importantly, Indonesia is going to carry out political years: Regional Head Election (Pilkada) in 2018 and Presidential Election in 2019 that are vulnerable to pose conflicts due to differences of choice among Indonesian people.
