VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesian Deputy Minister of Health, Dante Saksono, stated that the Indonesian government would immediately impose excise on packaged sweetened drinks in the country. According to him, the excise is targeted to take place starting this year.

VOINews.id: Indonesian Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Sakti Wahyu Trenggono has explored cooperation potential in technology with a Norwegian spacecraft communication services provider, Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT), to bolster the implementation of blue economy work programs.

Dozens of Indonesian student alumni studying in New Zealand inaugurated the alumni organization in Jakarta on Saturday (27/1). This organization, called the New Zealand-Indonesia (NZID) Alumni Association, was founded with the assistance of the New Zealand Embassy in Jakarta. The organization's launch was held at the Gran Melia Hotel Jakarta, along with an alumni networking dinner.

New Zealand Ambassador to Indonesia, Kevin Burnett, delivered remarks to alumni who attended offline and online. Kevin said the main aim of this association was to create a space for New Zealand alumni to connect.

"The primary objective of this New Zealand-Indonesia Alumni Association is to create space and opportunity for New Zealand alumni to connect with each other and contribute to the Indonesia-New Zealand shared interests in a collaborative and impactful way," said Kevin.

Kevin added that people-to-people relationships with New Zealand neighbors and partners are critical in all aspects of people's lives in the country. According to him, relationships between people are the breath of international partnerships between New Zealand and other countries. For this reason, Kevin welcomed the presence of New Zealand alumni at the event.

Kevin added that previously an interim alumni leadership team had been formed in August 2023 to form the association. This is based on recommendations from alumni in a meeting facilitated by the New Zealand embassy. Jan Ramos Pandia was elected as interim leader until the association's next presidential election, which is scheduled to take place next year.

"A strong alumni platform that can facilitate networking and strengthen relations between New Zealand and Indonesia is a very important mechanism," Kevin continued.

This launch is part of New Zealand Alumni Day, an alumni gathering event that consists of events such as scholarship exhibitions and alumni discussions. The discussion featured several prominent New Zealand alumni, including former Director of MRT Jakarta, William Sabandar. (VOI/Rama)

VOINews.id: Spokesperson for the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lalu Muhammad Iqbal explained about Minister of Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi reportedly 'walking out' at U.N. Headquarters in New York, United States. Previously, a video of Retno and the Indonesian delegation leaving the room during an open debate regarding the Palestinian-Israeli war in the Gaza Strip, Palestine on Tuesday (23/1/2024).​

Iqbal said that Retno and several Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) countries left the room when the permanent representative of Israel to the U.N., Gilad Erdan, delivered a statement. This also happened when Retno made a statement.

“Israel was not in the room when Indonesia and several OIC countries delivered statements. On the other hand, the Indonesian delegation and several OIC countries were also not in the room when the permanent representative of Israel delivered the statement," said Iqbal in a short message to journalists on Thursday (25/1/2024).

The open debate was opened by the U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Erdan delivered a statement after the Palestinian statement, which was delivered directly by its minister of foreign affairs, Riyad al-Maliki.

Minister Retno Marsudi delivered a national statement regarding the Palestinian-Israeli crisis, after a presentation from the Norwegian representative. In the debate, the Indonesian Foreign Minister emphasized three stances, including the importance of creating an immediate and permanent ceasefire.

“Second, Palestine must be immediately accepted as a full member of the U.N., and third, stop arms supplies to Israel. Every weapon sent to Israel can be used to kill innocent civilians," said Retno in a press conference held after the meeting. (rri.co.id)