VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Photo credit: Go Mandalika

Lombok Island is renowned for its beautiful, captivating beaches, anditis a favorite spot for surfers due to its waves. One of the stunning beaches in Lombok, popular among surfers, is Gerupuk Beach. Also known as Gerupuk Beach, it is located to the east of Kuta Beach in Lombok, specifically in Gerupuk Village, Pujut District, Central Lombok. Gerupuk Beach is a well-loved destination for surfers who come to test their skills on its challenging waves. With high waves and a strong breeze, the beach offers a unique thrill for surfers as they ride the waves.

There are five main surf points at this beach: Prigi or Inside, Giligoleng or Outside, Terasaq or Outside Left, Batu Teong or Dondon, and Batu Lawang or Kids Point. These five surf spots are known for their wild waves, although Batu Lawang is safe for children. Surfing enthusiasts are certainly familiar with these spots where waves can reach up to three meters high. Gerupuk Beach is also located close to the Mandalika Special Economic Zone, about 8 km from Kuta Beach Lombok and 4 km from Tanjung Aan. From Mataram City, it is approximately 52 km away, a journey of nearly an hour. The distance from Lombok International Airport (Zainuddin Abdul Madjid Airport) is 23 km, which takes about 30 minutes by car.

Apart from surfing, there are many other activities you can do at this beach. You can just relax on the soft white sand. Stare at the sun as it slowly descends and disappears behind the water. Or take a challenging hike up the small hill to the east of Gerupuk Beach. You can also join the locals in harvesting seaweed. Visiting the Marine Conservation Centre orstaying in a homestay near the beach is the right choice for those who want to enjoy and explore the beauty of Gerupuk Beach.

Photo credit: infopublik.id

Indonesia has just celebrated the Indonesian National Heroes Day on November 10th, and it was also commemorated in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, on the same day. A ceremonial tribute was held at the Indonesian National Hero Cemetery, honoring Tuanku Tambusai in Kampung Rasah, Seremban, Negeri Sembilan.

Indonesian Ambassador to Malaysia, Hermono, led the ceremony, which included a flower scattering tribute. The solemn event began at 9 AM Malaysian time (or 8 AM Western Indonesia Time), participated by over 300 attendees, including representatives from the Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, the Consulate General of the Republic Indonesia, Negeri Sembilan officials, West Sumatra Regional Government, members of the Indonesian community, the family of Tuanku Tambusai, and the Riau Malay Customary Law.

According to ANTARA, Ambassador Hermono noted that this year’s commemoration was more attended than previous years, with significant representation from Malay figures, West Sumatra and Negeri Sembilan officials. The condition of the cemetery and its surroundings was notably improved by the support of the Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs and the Negeri Sembilan Government.

Hermono hoped that Tuanku Tambusai’s Cemetery would one day become a religious pilgrimage site, attracting visitors from both Malaysia and Indonesia and benefiting the local community.

Meanwhile, Indonesian Consul General in Johor Bahru, Sigit S. Widiyanto, stated that this second Heroes Day ceremony at Tuanku Tambusai’s tomb was interesting, because it’s the only Indonesian hero’s tomb located outside the country. Sigit hoped that these activities can continue in the future, and further strengthen the people of the two nations. Tuanku Tambusai is recognized not only as a hero in fighting colonial forces during the Padri War in Indonesia but also as an Islamic missionary in Malaysia.

Photo credit: Baubau city government/RRI

Indonesia is rich in tradition and culture. One of them is called Batu Poaro Traditional Tradition in Bau-Bau city, Southeast Sulawesi. This tradition emerged since the cleric Sheikh Abdul Wahid spread Islam on Buton Island in 936 Hijri or 1526 AD. The locals believe that Batu Poaro was the footing stone of Sheikh Abdul Wahid when he was expelled and crossed the sea with a turban on his head as a sail. The community believes that by holding the traditional ritual of Batu Poaro, they can bring back the glory of Sheikh Abdul Wahid in the mid of his success in Islamising the Buton Kingdom.

In addition to commemorating the entry of Islam into Buton, Batu Poaro is also a momentum to offer prayers to the Creator so that the lives of residents are abundant in sustenance and avoid disasters. Batu Poaro traditional ritual process begins with prayers to God Almighty at the Al-Mukarabin Mosque, Wameo Village by traditional officials. When the prayer procession begins, in the middle of them is a gutter wrapped in white cloth. In this gutter there are a number of traditional foods of the Buton people, such as Lapa-lapa, Cucur, Banana and others.

After the prayer, Talang is then paraded to the location of the Poaro Stone Site by four young men wearing blue robes and a white turban on their heads. Arriving at the Poaro Stone Site on the Wameo seaside, the leaders then descended to the seaside near the stone while holding the stone. They then offered prayers there. After reading the prayer, the money on the stone is then contested by dozens of small children. The traditional ritual of Batu Poaro is now not only a tradition, but has also become a tourist attraction for the city of Bau-Bau, Southeast Sulawesi.

Photo credit: Indonesian Consulate General in Addis Ababa/rm.id

The Indonesian Embassy in Addis Ababa is promoting literacy about Indonesia among the Ethiopian public through an event called "Indonesia from an Ethiopian Perspective.”

According to the Indonesian Ambassador to Ethiopia, Al Busyra Basnur, in a statement to ANTARA news agency, the event aims to enhance awareness about Indonesia, especially among Ethiopian youth. The event was held on November 7th and in collaboration with St. D. Comboni Secondary School in Hawassa, located 300 km south from Addis Ababa. 200 students and 15 teachers from the school participated in this event.

The event featured speaker, Dubale Gebeyehu, a well-known lecturer at Hawassa University and a frequent speaker on Indonesia in various Ethiopian forums. Dubale shared insights about Indonesia, including the developments he observed and experienced during his time in Indonesia, particularly in education, economy, and tourism, as well as the opportunities for bilateral cooperation between Ethiopia and Indonesia.

He noted that Ethiopia could learn from Indonesia in education, interethnic harmony, religious tolerance, and economic development. Dubale further expressed admiration for Indonesia’s tourism infrastructure, Ethiopia has many beautiful tourist attractions, but they are not as developed as Indonesia.

Ambassador Al Busyra noted that the introduction to Indonesia received a warm response from the students. As the presentation ended, a quiz session was held on Indonesia with dozens of books written by Ambassador Al Busyra Basnur as prizes.

In the past five years, the Indonesian Embassy in Addis Ababa has organized numerous activities involving youth from both countries, including virtual meetings and discussions to connect Ethiopian and Indonesian students.