VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOINews, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) inaugurated the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway (KCJB), dubbed "Whoosh", on Monday, marking the beginning of its operation as Indonesia's newest transportation mode after five years of preparation.

The train, said to have the same system and technology as its country of manufacture, namely China, will operate on a freeway rail, achieving a travel speed of up to 350 kilometers (km) per hour. Whoosh is poised to become a new transportation milestone in Indonesia.

Operated by the two-country consortium, PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia-China (KCIC), Whoosh will offer more diverse and efficient travel options between Jakarta and Bandung.

In fact, the introduction of this high-speed train is expected to alleviate traffic congestion on the highways connecting the two cities, covering a distance of around 145 km.

With the operation of this high-speed train, travel time between Jakarta and Bandung will be reduced to less than an hour, down from the previous three-hour journey. This shift will also encourage a move from private vehicles usage to public transportation.

With a top speed of 350 km per hour, Whoosh can complete a trip from Tegalluar Station in Bandung District, West Java, to Halim Station in Jakarta in approximately 45 minutes.

The time excluded two stops between Tegalluar and Halim stations, namely Padalarang and Karawang stations. During the trial period, the train did not stop at Padalarang and paused at Karawang for five minutes. The total travel time, including stops at Padalarang and Karawang, may extend to 60 minutes.

In comparison with private vehicles, the one-hour travel time equates to the journey from Cimindi Station in the western part of Bandung City to the Bandung City-Bandung District border in Cibiru, located in the eastern part of Bandung City, or from Ledeng Terminal in north Bandung to the Buahbatu Toll Gate in southern Bandung City.

Despite reaching speeds of 350 km per hour, passengers reported no noticeable shaking during the journey.

Regarding fares, the train, equipped with the Chinese Train Control System (CTSC) level 3 (the first outside the manufacturing country), is considered competitive compared to other modes of transportation currently available.

It is estimated that Whoosh’s tariff is around Rp250,000 (approximately US$16.10) for premium economy class and Rp350,000 thousand for first class.

With these tariffs, Whoosh is the most expensive means of public transportation between Jakarta and Bandung when compared to other modes, such as buses priced between Rp75,000 and Rp100,000; shuttle, Rp120,000-Rp160,000; or trains, Rp150,000-Rp250,000.

However, this fast train offers a short travel time and more comfortable facilities.

Compared to private cars, the expenses are relatively similar for toll fees and fuel. However, traveling by car largely depends on traffic conditions, leading to unpredictable travel times. The journey usually takes 2.5 to 3 hours.

Accessibility

With various travel options, Whoosh provides an alternative choice for commuters traveling between these two major cities due to its time-effectiveness and the facilities it offers.

However, the stations of this fast train line are situated on the outskirts of the cities, whether in Bandung or Jakarta, taking into consideration developments in the areas surrounding the stations.

Under these conditions, an additional trip from the station to the final destination is still necessary. This requires the involvement of various parties in facilitating people's access to Whoosh stations.

The Halim Station in Jakarta has access to DI Pandjaitan Road, a Jabodebek LRT station, BRT Transjakarta and BRT JR Connexion feeders, shuttle feeders from Halim Airport, and microtrans. Preparation for access to a toll gate is also underway.

The Padalarang station, located in West Bandung District, also has quite good access with integration from the Padalarang Train Station, which has feeder trains to Cimahi and Bandung City.

It also has access to the Padalarang National Road and the Padalarang-Cisarua Provincial Road, with access to two toll gates currently in preparation.

The next station is Tegalluar Station in Bandung District, which serves as the final stop for the fast train.

Some preparations have been made for the accessibility of this station, including the Cibiru Hilir Bridge connecting to Gedebage in Bandung, access to the KM 151 A toll exit to Cileunyi, the toll drop zone at KM 151 B to Bandung, connections to Cimekar and Gedebage train stations, and shuttle bus.

However, access at Tegalluar and Karawang stations has not been fully completed.

For Tegalluar Station, the only available access has been the Cibiru Hilir bridge, a shuttle bus by Damri to the Damri Gedebage pool, and a shuttle bus by Big Bird to Summarecon Bandung Mall. Meanwhile, in Karawang, KCIC is still working on adequate access.

Regarding this matter, state-run railway company PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) Operational Region (Daop) 2 in Bandung stated that the Tegalluar fast train station has now been integrated with Gedebage Station using a shuttle bus from Damri, while the Cimekar Station, which is closer, has not been integrated with any means of public transportation besides conventional or online motorbike taxis.

"Actually, we have integrated the Tegalluar Station with Gedebage Station by shuttle buses from Damri. However, it is still not optimal because there is no feeder train," said Mahendro Trang Bawono, public relations manager of KAI Daop 2 Bandung, stated on September 29.

He added that for Cimekar Station, the accessibility is harder even though it is closer.

"Integration for rail-based connectivity is possible, but not in the near future,” he said.

He emphasized the need for all related parties to prepare proper access roads from Tegalluar to Cimekar and Gedebage stations, or other destinations, as a supporting mode of transportation to various areas in Greater Bandung.

With various existing conditions, Whoosh still faces challenges. KCIC and the government need to maximize the potential of this newest mode of public transportation in Indonesia.

Moreover, this high-speed railway is expected to serve as a driving force for economic growth in West Java. (Antaranews)

VOINews, Jakarta - The Indonesian government sent 46 tons of humanitarian assistance, worth Rp13.9 billion (around US$895,734), for people affected by floods in Libya that were caused by Storm Daniel that struck the country in early September 2023.

The assistance was dispatched on Monday at Soekarno Hatta Airport, Tangerang, Banten, by Acting Deputy of Equitable Regional Development and Disaster Management Coordination of the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture, Sorni Paskah Daeli.

"Considering the large losses caused by the floods, the Indonesian government, as one of Libya's friendly countries, sent assistance to relieve (the burden of) our brothers and sisters there," Daeli remarked at the Soekarno Hatta Airport on Monday morning.

He noted that the 46 tons of logistics and equipment assistance comprised tents, clothing, carpentry tools, water distillation tools, ready-to-eat meals, and hygiene equipment.

"In total, there are 27 types of assistance," he remarked.

According to Daeli, the provision of Indonesian assistance to Libya is part of Indonesia's solidarity in humanity for the world's communities.

"(It) promotes the values of humanity in disaster resilience. Disaster management is a joint matter and requires collaboration from various parties," he remarked.

He noted that in accordance with the agreement and results of the cabinet meeting, for the time being, the delivery of assistance will only be carried out once.

"We have not planned for the next batch yet. Only logistics will be sent. There will be no medical personnel. What is needed most is logistics," he revealed.

Earlier, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), on Thursday (September 21, 2023), reported that more than 43 thousand people had been displaced due to the massive floods in eastern Libya. The floods claimed the lives of thousands of people. (Antaranews)

VOINews, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) asked all Indonesians to be proud of batik, as it is the nation's cultural heritage. "Indonesians should be grateful to have batik, which is not only an extraordinary work of art but is the world's intangible cultural heritage with symbolism, techniques, and culture that is stuck with Indonesia," he said at the "Istana Berbatik" event in the courtyard of the Merdeka Palace here on Sunday.

At the event organized by the Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry to commemorate National Batik Day, which falls on October 2, the President invited the people to actively preserve and develop batik.

Istana Berbatik is a fashion show that displays a variety of batik in the archipelago, which is full of philosophical meaning and timeless beauty, he said.

Deputy Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy and chair of the event committee, Angela Tanoesoedibjo, said that through the fashion show, the public can see that batik has been part of Indonesians' lives.

"In this show, we see how batik has become part of the people's lives from time to time, generation to generation, and part of Indonesian cultural diplomacy," she said.

The fashion show on the 150-meter stage with the background of the Merdeka Palace featured selected batik from regions across the country, created by micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) mentored by Bank Indonesia and BRI and by Indonesian fashion designers.

The event had 503 models that included representatives from kingdoms, state agencies, ambassadors, ministers, and public figures.

Some four thousand guests attended the event, which was enlivened by a dance performance and a batik exhibition as support for the nation's craftwork. (Antaranews)

VOINews, Jakarta - Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Minister Nadiem Anwar Makarim said that the Freedom in Learning and Culture Movement is a form of practicing the noble values of Pancasila.

"We want to encourage students to implement the noble values of Pancasila in daily life through project-based learning," Makarim said in a statement received here on Sunday.

In commemoration of Pancasila Sanctity Day, the minister called for the spirit of gotong royong (cooperation) to be passed on to the nation's next generation.

He said that the ministry transforms the Pancasila values, including gotong royong, into the Freedom in Learning and Culture Movement.

According to him, the five principles of Pancasila must not only be memorized but also applied and used as a guideline in daily human life.

"The changes and breakthroughs that have been made must be increased, and the benefits and impacts that have been caused must be amplified," he said.

The minister said that the Freedom in Learning and Culture Movement is an effort to maintain the unity and solidity of the nation.

He said that within four years, the movement had transformed the entire educational and cultural ecosystem.

"The impact was felt by students, teachers, education staff, artists, cultural players, and education units from early childhood education to universities, as well as various communities throughout the country," he said.

Makarim explained that the Merdeka Curriculum, which has been implemented in more than 13 thousand education units and supported by the National Assessment and Education Report Card programs, has provided flexibility in teaching and learning.

More than 460 thousand students have experienced learning outside their campus thanks to the Freedom in Learning and Campus (MBKM) program, he added.

"The students' freedom in learning and creating is Indonesia's key to leaping into the future," he said. (Antaranews)