VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesian Ambassador to Japan, Heri Akhmadi, ensured the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo would continue to strengthen cooperation with Japan in the labor and fisheries sectors.

The Ambassador stated it at the Tsunagu Japan Indonesia – TJI Gala Dinner which was followed by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Japanese Employment and Investment Cooperation for the labor and fisheries sectors in Bitung, between the North Sulawesi Provincial Government and Tsunagu Japan Indonesia in Manado, North Sulawesi on Tuesday (23/7/2024).

This event is a series of visits by the Japan Toyohama Fisheries Association to North Sulawesi. Through an official statement from the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo, Ambassador Heri Akhmadi said the cooperation in sending and placing Indonesian migrant workers not only provides economic benefits but also strengthens cultural and social relations between the two nations.

According to him, through training and skills development programs, Indonesian workers in Japan can improve their abilities and bring back knowledge that is useful for the development of the fisheries sector in Indonesia, especially in Bitung city.

He also conveyed the commitment of the Indonesian government through the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo to support this collaboration. Ambassador Heri Akhmadi ensured that Indonesian workers received adequate protection and opportunities to improve their skills.

He added, the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo also continued to maintain good communication with Japan to strengthen cooperation in the fields of labor, fisheries, and other sectors. From 2018 to 2024, Tsunagu Japan Indonesia has sent 874 apprentices and special skilled workers from Indonesia to Japan.

The Indonesian Education and Culture Attaché Office of the Indonesian Embassy in Canberra in collaboration with the University of Education of Indonesia, Jakarta State University  and Semarang State University  sent 18 university students to become Indonesian language assistant teachers in Australian schools.  This year is the third year that the Indonesian Education and Culture Attaché Office in Canberra in collaboration with universities in Indonesia sent Indonesian language teachers to Australian schools. Education and Culture Attaché,  Mukhamad Najib in a press release from the Indonesian Embassy in Canberra in Jakarta on Tuesday (23/7) explained that he did this to help Australian students learn Indonesian better by considering that  many schools lack of Indonesian language teachers in Australia.

Najib further  also said  that through the program, universities in Indonesia can provide opportunities for students to learn about the education system in Australia so that they have a good international experience. According to Najib , the auxiliary teachers sent are those who are implementing the international Teaching Skills Practice program  which is part of the final project. This is also an implementation of the international mobility program of universities in Indonesia  so that they get full support from their respective universities.

Moreover, Najib pointed out that   since two years ago, it has been working with universities in Indonesia to send auxiliary teachers from students who are doing international Teaching Skills Practices. In this case, the Education and Culture Attaché helps facilitate and find schools that need Indonesian auxiliary teachers. He hopes  that the students sent later can act as cultural ambassadors and can introduce and teach Indonesian culture to students in Australian schools  so that they get to know and love Indonesia. This will have a positive impact on strengthening Indonesia-Australia relations in the future.

Then, an Indonesian teacher at St. Clare Assisi Primary School, Margo Smith  welcomed the presence of Indonesian teachers. According to Margo, it is very important for students to practice conversations directly with Indonesian native speakers. An Indonesian teacher of Hunting Tower School Melbourne, Tata Survi  also felt greatly helped by the presence of Indonesian students who are doing Teaching Skills Practice. In line with that, another teacher, Peter Monteath from Adelaide also expressed his appreciation for the support of the Indonesian Embassy in Canberra in learning Indonesian language in Adelaide. With the presence of Indonesian teachers, it is hoped that the students will be more motivated to learn Indonesian.

The Indonesian Embassy in Abu Dhabi,  United Arab Emirates  promoted Indonesian culture through a series of musical performances from the Muhibah Angklung team in Abu Dhabi on July 21 to 23, 2024.

Indonesian Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Husin Bagis in a press release in Jakarta on Wednesday (25/7) explained that the performance symbolizes the commitment of both countries to promote harmony and brotherhood between the nations.

Ambassador Bagis expressed his appreciation for the dedication of the Muhibah Angklung team in promoting Indonesian culture. He hopes the presence of the Muhibah Angklung team will further enhance Indonesia's cooperation with the United Arab Emirates. He also hopes that this kind of effort will continue to be developed and optimally enhanced in the future.Meanwhile, Chairperson of the Angklung Muhibah Team,  Maulana M Syuhada  pointed out  that Angklung is a musical instrument made of bamboo and has a special place in Indonesian culture  especially in West Java. In 2010,  UNESCO has recognized angklung as the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity or Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

The Angklung music performance was organized by the Indonesian Embassy in Abu Dhabi in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism. The 36-member Muhibah Angklung ensemble performed a series of cultural performances through music and dance presentations. The performance, which was attended by around 600 spectators including Indonesians,expatriates and members of the diplomatic community  took place at the Cultural Foundation Theater , Abu Dhabi on Sunday evening (21/7).

Then, on July 22-23, 2024,  the performance was continued in collaboration with the management of Mushrif Mall Abu Dhabi and attracted hundreds of visitors, especially expatriates living in Abu Dhabi. The Muhibah Angklung ensemble performed not only popular international songs, but also several traditional dances from various regions in Indonesia, including Badindin from Minang, Janger from Bali, Jali-Jali from Betawi, Yamko Rambe Yamko from Papua and Batak dances.

Warisan Roemah Indonesia (WRI) organized an “Indonesia Impression” event filled with gamelan playing and dancing to the song “Gemu Fa Mi Re.” Gemu Fa Mire was chosen, according to one of the founders of Warisan Roemah Indonesia, Vini Dharmawan, so that there would be interaction between visitors and the Indonesian diaspora.

The “Indonesia Impression” event was held on Saturday, July 20, 2024, at an open-air restaurant and theater located just 50 meters away from WRI's restaurant in Langyuan Station complex, Chaoyang District, Beijing.

Vini explained that the “Indonesia Impression” event was a promotional event for Warisan Roemah Indonesia, which only opened last March. According to Vini, each 'season' will have a different event.

Vini said, with the enthusiasm and interaction of visitors at the “Indonesia Impression” event, she is optimistic that Indonesian food and culture can begin to be recognized in Beijing.

The event also featured a number of performers including an angklung performance by Risnandar, a Gamelan instructor at Beijing's Central Conservatory of Music (CCOM).  He performed the songs “Ayo Mama” and “Mo Li Hua” or in Indonesian Bunga Melati, as well as drumming that accompanied the Manuk Dadali dance by Titik, who is also a lecturer at the Conservatory.

There was also gamelan playing by members of the Dharma Wanita Persatuan of the Indonesian Embassy Beijing, including Mrs. Wiwik Oratmangun. The wife of Ambassador Djauhari Oratmangun played the opening music of the pendet dance.

The performance of singer Abdi Purnomo, who is also an Indonesian student in Beijing, singing “Ojo Dibandingke” and “Rungkad” also attracted a number of visitors to sway together on stage.

The last song, “Gemu Fa Mi Re” played by the Indonesian Diaspora also invited a number of visitors to shake on stage.

Warisan Roemah Indonesia (WRI) prepared a total of 300 tickets for the event. One ticket costs 65 renminbi (RMB) and comes with a glass of cold cendol. Almost all tickets were sold out.\

Visitors can also enjoy Indonesian specialties cooked by WRI's Indonesian chefs such as rendang, jackfruit vegetables, balado eggs, tempeh, chicken and other dishes.