VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOINews, Jakarta : Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan stated that the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) had approved the proposal of flight information region (FIR) takeover from Singapore to Indonesia.

"Singapore used to have control over the air space above the Riau and Natuna Islands at an altitude of 0-37 thousand feet," the minister remarked on Saturday.

Pandjaitan spoke of having received this report while undergoing health recovery in Singapore on January 11, 2024.

Furthermore, 60 days after the publication of information regarding these changes, the Indonesian airspace, which had earlier been designated as a Singapore FIR, completely returned as an Indonesian FIR.

With the official implementation of the transfer of the Singapore FIR to the Indonesian FIR, Pandjaitan stated that the government's policy regarding aviation services will make Indonesia's air space safer, more competitive, and attractive for the civil aviation industry.

"We hope that the management of Indonesian air space that is safe, effective, in line with national interests, and meets international civil aviation service standards can be achieved," he remarked.

Apart from the FIR agreement, he noted that the defense cooperation and fugitive extradition agreement between Indonesia and Singapore were also implemented.

"This is important, considering that those issues are bilateral issues that have not been resolved between the two countries for a long time," he remarked.

He stated that the diplomatic approach of Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Long facilitated the establishment of the agreement.

However, he reminded that the agreement should not put aside national interests.

Based on President Widodo's directions, Pandjaitan had also partaken in establishing sound communication with Singapore Senior Minister Teo Che Hean.

"All steps were taken to prioritize strengthening bilateral relations and respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the two countries," he emphasized. (Antara)

VOINews, Jakarta : Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi has said that the month of Ramadan provides an opportunity to foster a sense of togetherness and promote tolerance and friendship. 

This was affirmed by Minister  Retno Marsudi when attending the 2024 Pejambon Ifthar activity which was held at the Nusantara Room, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia in Jakarta on Friday (22/3.

”Ramadan always provides us a good opportunity to make ourselves a better human being, and a good opportunity to nurture the feeling of togetherness and friendship.This Holy Ramadan also represents a chance for all of us to promote tolerance and ukhuwah,” She conveyed.

Moreover, Minister Retno Marsudi also reminded that the Indonesian people must continue to be grateful because they can gather comfortably while the Palestinians are still fighting for their independence.  Therefore,  she also affirmed that the Indonesian government is committed to helping the Palestinians by continuing to send humanitarian aid to Gaza. (VOI-Ranov-Mar/  AF-Rahmana)

VOI News : Indonesian Minister of Manpower,  Ida Fauziyah was the guest of honor at the celebration of the 63rd Kuwait National Day and the 33rd Kuwait Liberation Day in Jakarta  on Friday (24/2).

In her speech, Minister Ida Fauziyah  pointed out that Kuwait has become the second home for more than 6,100 Indonesian citizens.   She hopes that more professional and skilled workers from Indonesia will work in Kuwait.

“I am happy to know that Kuwait is also a second home for more than 6,100 Indonesian citizens in Kuwait. Approximately,  2,850 Indonesian residents or more than 46% of this number are professional and skilled workers who work in the oil, health and hospitality sectors," She pointed out.

Furthermore, Minister  Ida Fauziyah  revealed that the bilateral trade between Indonesia and Kuwait has shown promising results.  Trade volume in 2023 was recorded to have increased by 60% compared to last year, even slightly exceeding the pre-pandemic trade volume by 2019. 

Minister Ida also expressed her gratitude to the government of Kuwait in supporting the implementation of the 2024 elections in Kuwait, in which 54% of approximately 3,600 registered voters exercised their voting rights. (Rama-Mar/AF-Rhm)

VOI News : Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi delivered Indonesia's oral statement in support of the  advisory opinion of the International Court regarding the legal consequences of Israel's illegal occupation of Palestine.  In the oral statement delivered in the Hague, the Netherlands on  Friday (23/2),  Minister Retno Marsudi outlined various arguments as input and strengthened the granting of an advisory opinion  by the International Court. 

In the statement delivered after the oral statement, she also  explained that there were two main aspects in Indonesia's oral statement. First, it’s from the jurisdiction side and Second, it’s in terms of substance. Minister Retno Marsudi also affirmed that the International Court has the authority to issue legal fatwa.  She also emphasized that various Israeli policies are contrary to international laws and outlined the legal consequences.

“Firstly, I start the argument  which is related to jurisdiction. I confirm that the International Court of Justice has jurisdiction to provide an advisory opinion. I also affirm that there is no reason whatsoever for the International Court of Justice not to provide its opinion because this is in accordance with the legal jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice,” She said.

Moreover, Minister Retno also explained three reasons behind this argument. First, giving a legal fatwa does not interfere with the peace negotiation process because currently, there is no ongoing negotiation process. On the contrary, what happens is that Israel continues to constantly violate all the provisions of international laws, and ignores decisions of the UN Security Council. 

Second, the legal fatwa of the International Court is not intended to draw final conclusions from the current conflict, because the solution to the conflict can only be carried out through negotiations.  However, the legal fatwa would make it easier for the UN General Assembly to take a position according to its function related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Third, the legal fatwa of the International Court will positively assist the peace process by presenting additional legal elements for a comprehensive resolution of the conflict.

Meanwhile in the second argument related to the substance of the legal fatwa, Minister Retno Marsudi conveyed that the Palestinian people have the rights to self-determination so that all parties are obliged to fulfill that rights (erga omnes), including Israel.

“Regarding the substance of the Advisory Opinion itself, I convey that the Court has clearly conveyed that Palestinian self-determination is no longer an issue, which means it has been confirmed that self-determination is legitimate rights of the Palestinian people. This is reinforced by various decisions of the Security Council and also the UN General Assembly,” She conveyed.

Furthermore, Minister Retno Marsudi presented four reasons for this argument.  First, the Israeli occupation was carried out as a result of the use of unjustified violence.  Second, Israel has carried out illegal annexation of the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) or the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Third, Israel continues to expand illegal settlements.  Fourth, Israel has implemented a policy of apartheid or separation based on skin color towards the Palestinian people, as can be seen from the implementation of two different policy regimes for Jews and Palestinians.

At the end of the oral statement, Minister Retno Marsudi affirmed that there is no country that is above the law. She also invited the international community not to allow Israel to continue its illegal actions.  She also emphasized that the world and the international community have high hopes for the International Court of Justice. (Ndy-Mar/AF-Rhm)