VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOI News : Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas extended his best wishes to the press on National Press Day 2024, which fell on Friday, and urged journalists to continue strengthening concord among religious communities.

"Happy National Press Day! I hope that the Indonesian press will continue to take part in enlightening people and strengthening harmony among religious communities. I would like to thank journalists for synergizing with the Religious Affairs Ministry in supporting religion development," he said in Jakarta.

He lauded the theme "Escorting National Leadership Transition and Safeguarding National Integrity" for this year's National Press Day, saying that it is highly relevant given Indonesia's current statehood dynamics for two reasons.

First, this year's National Press Day has come just days before the voting day of the 2024 General Elections (February 14). He emphasized that the press can play a significant role in achieving Indonesia's dream of honest, fair, and confidential elections.

To that end, he asked Indonesian journalists to assist the government in encouraging people to exercise their voting rights wisely and prudently.

"As the fourth pillar of democracy, the press wields a strategic role in overseeing every stage of national development, including the period of national leadership transition," he said.

Elaborating on the second reason, he stressed that the upcoming elections must not disrupt the well-fostered harmony in Indonesia and emphasized the importance of anticipating any potential for discord in the aftermath of the elections. (Antara/VOIRRI)

VOI News :  The Jakarta Metropolitan Police have prepared 5,822 personnel to secure election rallies for presidential candidate pairs at Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) Main Stadium and Jakarta International Stadium (JIS) in Jakarta on Saturday (February 10).

"We divided them into two: 2,566 personnel at JIS and 3,256 personnel at GBK," said Police Chief Commissioner Ade Ary Syam Indradi, head of public relations of the Jakarta Metropolitan Police, on Friday.

Two pairs of presidential and vice presidential candidates, Anies Baswedan-Muhaimin Iskandar and Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka, will hold large-scale campaign rallies in Jakarta on Saturday, marking the end of the campaigning period.

Anies and Muhaimin will hold their rally at JIS, while Prabowo and Gibran will hold their rally at GBK Main Stadium.

Indradi said that the joint team of personnel has been drawn from the Jakarta Metropolitan Police, district and city police, the Jayakarta Regional Military Command, and government agencies at the provincial and city levels, including the Public Order Security Agency and the Fire Management and Rescue Office.

In the GBK area, a car-free rule will be applied from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

He appealed to people to help ensure security, safety, order, and smooth traffic flow.

"Let us pray for the realization of security for the implementation of the general elections, maintain the nation's unity so that we are not divided, and hopefully, the 2024 General Elections will run safely, peacefully, and with dignity," he said.

Indonesia will hold the elections on February 14, when around 204.8 million voters are expected to participate. (Antara/VOIRRI)

VOI News : Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi said that regional countries, both ASEAN and the European Union, are at the forefront in maintaining consistent respect for international laws in a bid to prevent powerful countries from controlling it entirely. 

She also remarked that this is included in the Palestinian issue, where for more than 7 decades the Palestinian people have continued to face injustice. 

This was affirmed by Minister Retno Marsudi in the Opening session of the 3rd Indo-Pacific European Union Ministerial Forum Meeting in Brussels, Belgium.  In a statement received in Jakarta on Saturday (2/2). She affirmed Indonesia's commitment to continue to help the Palestinian struggle and called for the same thing to the European Union.

"I affirmed in my statement that Indonesia will not remain silent and will continue to help the struggle of the Palestinian people to obtain their rights whatever the challenges that must be faced and I called on the European Union to use its conscience to stop atrocities in Palestine. As a supporter of international law, the European Union must be consistent on the Palestinian issue because consistency between values and actions shows our true morality, “ Minister Retno pointed out.

Furthermore, the Indo-Pacific European Union Ministerial Forum is organized by the European Union as a dialogue platform to discuss issues in the Indo-Pacific region as well as efforts to increase cooperation. 

Indonesia, represented by Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, has participated in 2 previous similar meetings, namely in Paris in 2022, and in Stockholm in 2023. (VOI-Ndy-Mar- AF)

VOI News : Indonesia expressed concern related to European Union policies that could block partnerships with ASEAN, including regarding palm oil and the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).  Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi at the 24th European Union ASEAN Ministerial Meeting conveyed that ASEAN and the European Union must be partners for prosperity. 

In a statement received in Jakarta on Saturday (3/2),  she conveyed all the data that shows the European Union is one of ASEAN's important partners and vice-versa, with the economic character of the two regions being different and complementive each other.

“I affirmed that ASEAN also cares about environmental sustainability and the approach taken must be mutually helpful, but not punishing.  I emphasized that the “one-size fits all” standard cannot be applied. If the goal is to strengthen cooperation, then the only choice is one, namely working together, helping each other, and avoiding sustainability issues being used as a means of protection in trade,” Minister Retno said.

Moreover, Minister Retno also pointed out the importance of ASEAN and the European Union to become partners for peace and stability. According to Minister Retno, the current world condition is full of conflict so that she emphasized the importance of consistently respecting international principles, values and laws.  

Minister Retno also expressed her appreciation for the European Union's support for the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) which reflects a shared commitment to maintaining stability and peace in the Indo-Pacific. (VOI-Ndy-Mar- AF)