VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has asked the Jakarta government to start the construction of Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Jakarta East – West corridor this year.

"This year, in parallel with the second phase MRT construction for HI traffic circle-Kota section, I hope the East – West corridor can also be started," President Joko Widodo said at the inauguration of the first phase of Jakarta's MRT routing Hotel Indonesia traffic circle to Lebak Bulus in Jakarta on Sunday.

The second phase construction of MRT would connect Hotel Indonesia (HI) traffic circle to Ancol in North Jakarta. While the East – West corridor would connect Cikarang to Balaraja.

On the occasion, the president has also launched the second phase construction of MRT that covers a 8.7-kilometer long track from HI traffic circle to Kota.

The operation of MRT Jakarta, he noted, would mark a new era of transportation in the capital city.

"For those who have yet to try the MRT, please try it for free," the president said.

Jokowi has also called on MRT users not to litter at the station or in the train and practising self-discipline by not vandalizing the train, arrive on time, and queue.

"Please keep it clean," he said.

The President also expected that the construction of Greater Jakarta light rail transit (LRT), especially those connecting Depok, Bekasi to Jakarta, could be completed by the end of 2019. (ant)

A number of Jakarta residents have expressed their pride on the presence of the country's first Mass Rapid Transit (MRT).

"I am proud of it. Jakarta finally now has its own MRT," a local resident Jefri said at the National Monument (Monas), Jakarta, on Sunday.

Jefri said that he had read reviews on the MRT which was looked so clean, and expressed hope for users to practise self-discipline.

"Hopefully the government would not stop to innovate," he said.

Another resident Yudi expected that the MRT could facilitate Jakartans to go to their workplaces and do their daily activities.

Yudi called on the government to continue improving MRT services for its users.

A Jakartan Trisno said that he had been waiting for the operation of the MRT since early 2019.

"I come to Monas today with my family as I heard that President Joko Widodo would inaugurate the MRT from Hotel Indonesia to Lebak Bulus," Trisno said.

President Joko Widodo earlier officially inaugurated the country’s first MRT line in Jakarta on Sunday.

President Widodo, accompanied by his Cabinet ministers and dozens of VVIP guests, led the inauguration in a signing ceremony. (ant)

Five village heads and ten village facilitators from Indonesia were sent to China and South Korea to participate in a Benchmarking Program or comparative study, a participant of this program  said.

"We are assigned to China to join this Benchmarking Program," said Berkati Ndraha, a participant from Gido Subdistrict, Nias District, North Sumatra,  in a short message that he sent to Antara here on Saturday.

Initiated by the Indonesian Ministry of Village, Disadvantaged Regions and Transmigration, this Benchmarking Program was aimed at empowering the village heads, village assistants, and village activists in supporting rural development and community empowerment programs.

The village heads and facilitators joining this program are selected from those passing a performance evaluation and recommended by various parties.

According to Berkati who has arrived in China, the participants of the program consist of five village heads and 10 village facilitators. Two of them represent North Sumatra Province.

"They are sent to China and Korea, and I am one of them," said Berkati Ndraha, a village assistant in Hilizoi Village, Gido Subdistrict.

The participants, including himself and his colleague from Batubara District in North Sumatra Province, would be in China from March 23 to April 2, 2019.  "We were flagged off by Village, Disadvantaged Regions and Transmigration Minister Eko Putro Sandjojo," he said.

Before leaving for China, the participants were received by the Chinese ambassador to Indonesia, he said, adding that this Benchmarking Program was expected to enable him to get insightful information and knowledge about the development of an agricultural economy.

Minister of Village, Disadvantaged Regions and Transmigration Eko Putro Sandjojo said earlier that an overseas comparative study was expected to help improve the participants' competence, and bring about innovation in village management and rural development.

In addition, the participants are also expected to build networks, improve knowledge and open markets between village heads and foreign partners.

For this year, Eko said his ministry had planned to send one thousand participants comprising village heads, village activists, and village assistants to several other countries for comparative studies, including Japan, Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia.

A Regional Seminar and Workshop for Journalist was organized in Bali, Indonesia.  Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs AM Fachir has delivered a Keynote Speech at the Regional Seminar and Workshop for Journalists: “The Nexus between Freedom of Religion or Belief and Freedom of Expression in Southeast Asia”, in Ayodya Resort, Bali (18/3).

He pointed out that to instill peace and tolerance in the age of hoaxes and fake news, a closer collaboration among independent and objective journalists, moderate religious and social leaders, vibrant CSOs, and government is important

In the region, ASEAN has taken important measures to foster freedom of religion and expression. Yet, regulations are not enough. A strong regional network of journalists that champions tolerance and develops a powerful narrative against toxic extremist arguments, is needed.

Vice Minister  AM Fachir invited all participants to join a minute of silence for the Christchurch Terror Attack. The barbaric attacks served as a strong reminder that terrorism remains a real threat, irrespective of any religious denominations or cultural backgrounds.