VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOI News, Jakarta: Indonesia will participate in  a series of the 57th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) in Laos.  Minister of Foreign  Affairs, Retno Marsudi will utilize the meeting to encourage superpowers in a bid to remember the important role of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to their interests. 

Indonesia is also going to remind the importance of regional resilience for all parties, including through strengthening ASEAN institutions. According to Director of ASEAN Cooperation at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sidharto R. Suryodipuro in Jakarta Friday(19/7), Indonesia is to utilize the 57th AMM meeting to encourage superpowers to comply with international laws, and norms in the region.

“A number of other important messages that will be conveyed by the minister of foreign affairs in the series of meetings are, of course, to continue the achievements of Indonesia's chairmanship last year.  Indonesia was chai of ASEAN in 2023. There were various achievements last year under the theme of ASEAN matters epicenter of growth. Then,  another message of the foreign minister is to continue to encourage major powers to remind them of their interests in ASEAN for this region, the importance of regional resilience for all parties, including through strengthening ASEAN institutions, the importance of complying with international law and regional norms, such as TAC (Treaty of Amity and Cooperation), Bali Principles, AAC (Treaty of Amity and Cooperation),” he conveyed.

Furthermore, Sidharto R. Suryodipuro also pointed out that  Minister Retno Marsudi will attend 19 meetings in her presence in Laos.  The meeting starts from the 25th Post Ministerial Conference, ASEAN Regional Forum, ASEAN plus Three, 14th East Asia Summit,  31st ASEAN Regional Forum to the 24th ASEAN-EU. The numbers, according to Sidharto, show the long tradition of ASEAN which remains relevant through meetings and partnerships built. (VOI-Ndy-Mar/ AF-Rahmana)

VOI News, Jakarta: Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan has asked the Trade Ministry's trade representatives in various countries to build and strengthen strategies to tackle global trade barriers.

He pointed out this during the 2024 Coordination and Technical Meeting of Trade Representatives Abroad held in Melbourne, Australia, from July 10–12, 2024.

As reported by Antara News Agency on Friday (12/7) Minister Zulkifli Hasan  in his statement released  on Friday explained that Indonesia's exports to various countries are expected to run smoothly without hindrances.

"There are trade barriers such as the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which have an impact on exports of Indonesian agricultural products. Nevertheless, export opportunities remain wide open," he said.

He further said that through a special strategy, his ministry is optimistic of taking advantage of many export opportunities and ensuring that the trade surplus trend is maintained.

He also emphasized the importance of collaboration and hard work to achieve national export targets.

"Immediately complete incomplete trade agreements, such as the comprehensive economic partnership agreements (CEPA) and free trade agreements (FTA) to welcome more competitive competition in the future," he said.

This year's coordination and technical meeting resulted in the formulation of a strategy to boost exports with the main focus being reducing tariffs and paying special attention to countries that function as regional hubs.

Trade representatives will focus on three main pillars, namely trade in goods, services, and investment.

 VOI News, Jakarta: Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi has said that the autonomous rail transit (ART) tram is scheduled to arrive in Indonesia's new capital, Nusantara, in East Kalimantan late this month.

As reported by Antara News Agency on Friday (12/7) during a review of ART tracks in the Nusantara area, North Penajam Paser, East Kalimantan, on Friday, he informed that the ART will start to operate in August 2024.

According to him, the autonomous tram was dispatched from China in early July. The ship carrying the autonomous tram will arrive at Balikpapan Port.

In a statement issued,the minister, further explained that upon their arrival in Nusantara, the tram's components will be assembled and tested.

Besides, joint testing will be conducted, followed by the implementation of a proof of concept (POC) in August. The showcase is planned from October to December.

"Hopefully this schedule can be realized according to plan, and the autonomous tram in Nusantara can really inspire other cities in Indonesia in terms of developing smart transportation," he conveyed.

He also pointed out  that the autonomous tram is a leap in the use of new technology in the world of transportation in Indonesia.

He explained that the autonomous tram works on batteries, and its operation is guided by reading road markings via sensors, making it an effective means to cut greenhouse gas emissions and fossil energy use.

Minister Sumadi further explained that the texture of the road that will be passed by the tram will be very smooth. This will provide comfort to passengers.

It has also been determined that the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing will build stops to support autonomous tram operations.

"The tram stops that will be built will not only be used as a place to pick up and drop off passengers but will also function as a place for charging," he said.

He added that the train set that is being brought to Indonesia consists of three trains. (Antara)

VOINews, Jakarta: The Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) comprises three branches: the Indonesian Army (TNI AD), Indonesian Navy (TNI AL), and Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU). Recently, there has been growing discourse on the need for a fourth branch: a dedicated cyber military force.

Former governor of the National Resilience Institute (Lemhanas), Andi Widjajanto considers it crucial for the government to act swiftly on this idea.

The creation of a cyber military force is becoming inevitable, considering that state as well as non-state entities can now mount attacks on countries through cyberspace, which do not entail the deployment of conventional war equipment, he opined.

Meanwhile, a cybersecurity expert from State Intelligence College (STIN), Pratama Persada affirmed the potential dangers of cyberwar.

He warned that an attack launched in cyberspace can cripple a targeted country's economy, especially if its banking and financial sectors are targeted.

Such unconventional warfare can disrupt essential infrastructure and facilities related to energy, telecommunication, transportation, and even state administration. Ignoring the possibility of a cyberattack preceding a conventional assault would be imprudent. A nation caught unprepared could be left highly vulnerable.

Indonesia is not powerless in terms of cybersecurity. The National Intelligence Agency (BIN), National Police (Polri), National Cyber and Crypto Agency (BSSN), and the Ministry of Communication and Informatics all play a role.

However, none of these institutions has the sole responsibility of fortifying Indonesia's defenses and repelling cyberattacks. Therefore, establishing a cyber force within the TNI could provide the country with an institution solely focused on cyber threats.

While the TNI already has a cyber unit, its activities and operations are internal, supporting the military's core duties.

The need for a cyber military force has become even more pressing after a recent cyberattack by a foreign hacker disrupted the system of TNI's Strategic Intelligence Agency (BAIS). (Antara)