VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

National Book Day in Indonesia, ratified by former Minister of Education, Abdul Malik on May 17 2002, was adopted from the inauguration of National Museum on May 17 1980. Although the celebration is never as lively as national music or film days, the National Book Day should be celebrated by book readers. The day is aimed at enhancing interest in reading books among Indonesian people. Reading culture and book sales increase is also expected results from the Day.

National Book Day in Indonesia shares vision and mission with the global version namely celebrating reading culture to gain more insights, creativity, and imagination. World Book and Copyright Day is celebrated by UNESCO and other related organizations on April 23 annually. The date was chosen by UNESCO to pay respect for world’s greatest literature figures such as William Shakespeare, Miguel Cervantes, and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega who passed away on April 23rd. It was first proclaimed in 1995 during UNESCO General Conference in Paris, France to respect all writers and books across the globe. Besides respect, World Book Day is celebrated to recognize scope of book as the bridge between the past and the future, as well as every culture and generation.

The old saying “book is a window to the world” is true. In the past, Indonesian independence proclaimer, Moh. Hatta would voluntarily be imprisoned if accompanied with books. It signifies that book is also an important need. A lot of knowledge is accessible only through books. For this year’s World Book Day, Director-General of UNESCO Audrey Azoulay said that books are also a form of cultural expression that lives through and as part of a chosen language. Each publication is created in a distinct language and is intended for a language-specific reading audience.

Based on survey in 2005, Indonesians’ reading interest was averagely 18 thousand books only per year. This number is very possible for increase. Books and reading are a close unity. Besides, there should be a platform for book appreciation and writers’ creativity through competition in all education levels. Competition will be the reason for the available and future best authors to keep writing. Still, the real appreciation for authors is buying their original prints instead of the pirated copies.

Happy National Book Day of Indonesia! Happy reading and improving insight, and appreciating the works of your local authors!

Indonesia's industrial sector is expected to grow more aggressively in the second quarter of 2019 compared to the previous quarter, particularly due to increased demand during the fasting month and the upcoming Eid al-Fitr.

"We are sure that the growth will be higher than the first quarter, which reached 4.5 percent. It is expected to reach 5 percent," Secretary General of the Industry Ministry, Haris Munandar, said here on Monday.

Munandar expressed his optimism that the business climate in the country would return to normal after the General Election Commission announces the election results, along with the coming of Eid al-Fitr.

Some industries, such as food and beverages and the textile industry, have reported a sharp increase since the start of the second quarter.

"With the incoming Eid, people spend their money. The textile industry, and food and beverage, will also enjoy a sharp increase. There is also more money in circulation, as employers have to pay Eid bonuses to their employees," he said.

In the first quarter of 2019, textile and garment industry growth jumped to 18.98 percent, compared to 7.46 percent growth in the same period of 2018, and the industry's growth during 2018 was recorded at 8.73 percent.

Also, data from the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) showed that production of large and medium scale manufacturing industries in the first quarter of 2019 reached 4.45 percent year-on-year.

This growth was boosted by a sharp increase in production in the garment sector, reaching 29.19 percent with increased demand, especially in the export market. (ant)

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) departed for the Province of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) by using the Indonesian-1 Presidential Aircraft through Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base Jakarta, Monday (20/5) at 08.38 WIB.

Arriving at El Tari International Airport, Kupang City, NTT Province at 12:16 WITA, the President and his entourage went straight to Belu Regency by using the TNI AU CN-295 Airplane via AA Bere Tello Atambua Airport, in the area bordering Timor Leste.

In Belu District, the President will inaugurate the Rotiklot Dam, which is in Rotiklot Hamlet, Fatuketi Village, Kakuluk District, Mesak. The President will also sow the seeds of tilapia, tilapia, and carp as many as 100 thousand seeds at the dam.

In addition, the President will also plant Moringa, jamblang, flamboyant, pule and banyan trees.

After the activities in Belu Regency, the Head of State and his entourage were scheduled to go directly to A. A. Beri Tallo Airport, Belu Regency to go to Kupang City. The trip to Jakarta will be continued by using the Indonesian-1 Presidential Airplane from El Tari International Airport, Kupang, in the afternoon.

Accompanying the President on flights to NTT Province, Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono, Coordinator of Special Staff President Teten Masduki, and Special Staff of the President, Gregorius Mere. (kemensetkab)