VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Every region has its own special food which is usually served as a menu for breaking the fast in the holy month of Ramadan. In Central Java, specifically in Rembang, there is also a traditional food served as a menu for breaking the fast, namely Dumbeg.

Dumbeg is a traditional food shaped like a small trumpet, made from rolled Siwalan leaves. Meanwhile, the inside content is a mixture of rice flour, coconut milk and brown sugar. Even now, there are some sellers who mix milk to make it taste more delicious. But, there are also many of them who still maintain the traditional recipes and ways to cook Dumbeg. In general, in Rembang, Dumbeg cakes can also be found at every traditional event, including alms to the earth, alms to the sea or weddings. In the past, Dumbeg cake was one of the guardians' favorite foods when visiting Rembang Regency. Wali Songo are Islamic figures who are respected in Indonesia, particularly on the island of Java, because of their historical role in the spread of Islam in Indonesia. Although the existence of Dumbeg has been passed down from ancestors for a long time, this food is still very popular, from children to the elderly.

Not just food, Dumbeg cake, which is easily found in traditional markets in Rembang, has a high meaning or philosophy. In Javanese tradition, Dumbeg has a high meaning or philosophy. It is used as a symbol that symbolizes fertility and a milestone in human civilization. Besides, the palm leaves used as the wrapper symbolize humility. Because palm leaves always grow downwards; they teach a humble attitude and avoid arrogance. The shape of Dumbeg which is like a spiral from small to large circles symbolizes that in life, you have to work diligently and patiently from small things to big things.

To make Dumbeg whose price is Rp. 2000, you need softened rice, brown sugar and coconut milk. The mixture is   cooked until thickened and then put into a container made from palm leaves. After the container for Dumbeg, which is a palm leaf shaped into a long circle like a trumpet, called urung, has been made, it is then placed in a large pan, then the mixture is added slowly. After adding all the mixture, wait until it is cooked and Dumbeg is ready to be enjoyed.

Researchers from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) carried out a joint Indonesian-Chinese expedition on an expedition to the deepest point in the Java Trench. It aims to explore Indonesia's rich marine biodiversity. This deep sea research was done in the Hadal zone of the Java Trench stretching 3,200 km covering southern Sumatra, Java, Bali to Nusa Tenggara. The expedition participants consisted of 4 Indonesian researchers, 15 Chinese researchers, a security team from Indonesia and 40 research ship crew. The dive started on February 28, 2024 and ended in the waters around Ujung Kulon on March 22, 2024.

Marine microbiology researcher at the National Research and Innovation Agency, Yustian Rovi Alfiansah, said that the Java Trench expedition aims to explore the richness of marine biodiversity in order to benefit Indonesia. The Java Trench expedition provides new information regarding the unique geology, biology and environment of the Sunda subduction zone and its potential impact on the ecosystem of the Java Trench. This expedition was done by the Directorate of Research Ship Fleet Management, BRIN and the Institute for Deep Sea Research and Engineering (IDSSE), and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). The research vessel used is 94.45 meters long and 17.9 meters wide with a main engine of 12,000 horsepower and a range of 10,000 nautical miles. The expedition was carried out by using the Tan Suo Yi Hao research vessel and the Fendouzhe research submarine with two passengers and one pilot.

The Java Trench Expedition is part of the Global Trench Exploration and Dive Program (Global TREnD). Yustian Rovi Alfiansyah also said that the joint expedition team was trying to dig up information about the Java Trench, including obtaining information about the deepest point of the Java Trench with the various potentials it contains. He also thanked Prof. Xiaotong Peng, the expedition leader, gave him the opportunity to become an Indonesian researcher who dived in the Java Trench using a mini-submarine to research China's deep sea.

The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs together with the Indonesian Consulate General in Cape Town held a coordination meeting on public services and protection of Indonesian citizens on March 27-29, 2024 in Cape Town South Africa.

A press statement received in Jakarta Thursday (28/3) said the meeting was attended by 10 Indonesian representatives in the African region namely the Indonesian Embassies of Abuja Addis Ababa Antananarivo Dakar Dares Salam Harare Maputo Nairobi Pretoria and the Indonesian Consulate General in Cape Town.

In his speech. Indonesian Consul General Cape Town. Tudiono. expressed his full support for this activity. The coordination meeting also sought to increase service capacity and protection for Indonesian citizens. including ship crew. In 2018 Indonesian Seafarer Corner was established for Indonesian ship crew in Cape Town.

The parties involved agreed on the preparation of an integrated contingency plan for the African region. especially regarding crisis situations that threaten the safety of Indonesian citizens abroad. They also agreed on the importance of accelerating digital transformation in public services which is conducted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Indonesian Representatives. in order to realize excellent public service.

Apart from that they also agreed to carry out technical guidance on public services regularly both in person and online meetings to increase the capacity of service providers. Efforts to protect Indonesian citizens in dealing with the law in foreign countries can be seen from the number of cases in the African region. During 2022-2023 the number of cases handled by Indonesian Representatives reached 208 or 2.44 percent of the total cases of Indonesian citizens in foreign countries.

The Indonesian Citizen protection system also continues to be built and strengthened among other things, building an Integrated Protection and Service System for Indonesian Citizens abroad namely the Indonesian Citizen Care Portal and the Safe Travel application. The Indonesian Consulate General in Cape Town also strengthens regulations and innovative policies such as building a Shelter for Crew Members and appointing a strong Legal Team for the Protection of Indonesian Citizens in countries where most Indonesian citizens live in

Five Indonesian citizens and Japan who became volunteers in responding to the Ishikawa earthquake disaster, Kanazawa Prefecture, Japan received the Ambassador Award from the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Japan, Heri Akhmadi. The ambassador gave awards for their contribution in treating affected victims. According to Ambassador Heri Akhmadi in a Press Release from the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo, Friday (22/3), this award was an appreciation of the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo to the parties who had made efforts since the earthquake occurred, to collect data, communicate, coordinate and distribute aid to affected Indonesian citizens.

Moreover, the Ambassador Award recipients are Nengsih and Tsuchida Naoto, Hikmah Balbeid and Matsui Seiji, and Wawan Supriyanto. The Award was also given to the Toyama Muslim Center (TMC) which also played a role in providing logistical assistance to earthquake victims, including affected Indonesian citizens.

In addition, Ambassador Heri Akhmadi conveyed that this award was not only a symbol of the attention and gratitude of the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo for the efforts made for Indonesian citizens, but also a reminder of the importance of togetherness and close coordination between the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo and the local community, particularly in efforts to protect Indonesian citizens. The number of Indonesian citizens affected by the Ishikawa earthquake reached 183 people, consisting of 145 men and 38 women in nine points in Ishikawa Prefecture, namely Ogi, Suzu, Saikai, Wajima, Nanao, Anamizu, Uchinada, Nakanoto and Naomi. Besides, it was also recorded that several Indonesian students who were traveling in the Ishikawa area and surrounding areas were also affected, including nine students at the Isurugi-Toyama shelter, 10 students at the Morinosato-Kanazawa Elementary School shelter, and six people at the Toyama shelter.

Currently there are 1,351 Indonesian citizens in Ishikawa Prefecture. Meanwhile in Kanazawa City there are 481 Indonesian citizens. The Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo has also sent staff to Ishikawa to provide direct logistical assistance to affected Indonesian citizens who are still not reached. The assistance provided includes drinking water, staple foods such as bread and rice, instant side dishes and other food ingredients.