VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Of course, many of you are familiar with the Dead Sea. The lake, which is located in an area between Israel, the Palestinian Authority and Jordan, is indeed very famous for its uniqueness. With a high salt content, anyone who enters the Dead Sea will float. In fact, not only the Dead Sea has this uniqueness. Indonesia also has a beach similar to the Dead Sea. The beach is called Tureleto Beach which is located in Nias, North Sumatra. Anyone who is swimming in Tureleto Beach will float. With this uniqueness, this beach deserves to be nicknamed the Dead Sea of Indonesia.

Tureleto Beach is not like the general beaches which are adorned with white sand. On this beach, there are rocks along the shoreline. According to local people, these coral reefs have emerged since the devastating 2005 earthquake that hit Nias and caused the sea water to recede. The existence of these corals is the main attraction for tourists, who visit Tureleto Beach. Moreover, tourists are often seen capturing the shapes of these corals into interesting photo objects.

The existence of these coral reefs also makes Tureleto beach less prone to waves, so the sea is very calm. With the calm water, you can swim as much as you want and you don't have to be afraid of drowning, because the sea water can make you float. There is life in the waters of Tureloto, although the water contains a fairly high salt content. You can also enjoy the view of fish and beautiful coral clusters under the water. You can also enjoy the uniqueness of the marine life on this beach from the shoreline or with snorkeling activities. The clear water makes a variety of marine life clearly visible from the shoreline. Traveling by using a motorized canoe can also be an option for interesting tourism activities on this beach. For those of you who like fishing, Tureleto is heaven. Tureleto beach corner is the best location for fishing.

This beach is included in North Nias Regency, Lahewa District, precisely in Balõfadoro Tuho Village. The distance from the city of Gunung Sitoli, the capital of Nias district is about 80 kilometers. To go to Tureloto Beach is not difficult, even very easy to access. You can use a vehicle, either car or motorbike. From the city of Gunung Sitoli, this beach can be reached for about 2 hours. Gunung Sitoli itself can be accessed from Kuala Namu airport, in Medan, North Sumatra. On Tureleto beach, parking facilities, public bathrooms, huts for shelter and food stalls are available.

Indonesian Ambassador to the Netherlands, Mayerfas attended the opening of the Indonesian Independence Revolution Exhibition at Rijksmuseum in the Netherlands on Thursday, (10/2). The exhibition was officially opened by representatives of Indonesian and Dutch governments. Indonesia was represented by Minister for Education, Culture Research and Technology, Anwar Makarin who gave his remarks in a video. The Netherlands was represented by the State Secretary for Culture and Media, Gunay Uslu.

The Indonesian Independence Revolution Exhibition was held from February 11 until June 5 2022. This exhibition showcased the historical moments from the Independence Proclamation on August 17 1945 until the return of President Soekarno to Indonesia on December 28 1949 when the Dutch handed over the power to Indonesia. These historical moments were showcased through 200 art collections and historical artifacts that represent the view of 20 history witnesses from the freedom fighters, artists, diplomats, politicians, and journalists.

According to the Minister, Anwar Makarin along with Dutch State Secretary for Culture and Media, Gunay Uslu, the exhibition could give a new perspective in studying the two countries' history. Minister Nadiem Anwar Makarim also said that the experiences of the historical actors need to be listened to and studied.

Meanwhile, Dutch State Secretary for Culture and Media, Gunay Uslu said that the Netherlands and Indonesia shared a history that affected both nations. The revolution exhibition was expected to open the eyes and hearts of the two nation's people and make them closer.  Similarly, Ambassador Mayerfas said that the exhibition could open the perspective of the two countries' people in understanding a historical period. 

The collections showcased in the exhibition were among many the camera that recorded the Great Meeting at Ikada Square, private photo album of Rosihan Anwar, the sketch of Linggarjati Negotiation by Henk Ngantung, a painting by Sudarso of Tanja Dezentje -a former Dutch citizen who became Indonesian and fought for the nation in Indonesian independence diplomacy to the world.

The people in East Java, especially the Using community in the village of Macan Putih, Banyuwangi Regency, in fact, have a unique way to find a mate. Single man, who is attracted to a certain woman, must come directly to the woman's house to perform the act of flirting. This tradition is called ‘Gredoan’ which locally means "to tease". The Gredoan tradition is held once a year. As a matchmaking event, Gredoan is also held to celebrate the Birthday of the Prophet Muhammad SAW.

This tradition begins in the morning when the community first holds a celebration at the mosque. Then in the evening, the girls usually help their parents cook in the kitchen. At that time, the Gredoan tradition takes place. Man, who is attracted to a certain girl, will come to the girl's house. He will insert a stick through the gap in the wall of the house made from bamboo. The girl will then break the stick if she is willing to get acquainted with the man. Then, the man begins to get acquainted while seducing the girl. But their conversation is limited by a bamboo wall where the girl is inside the house and the boy is outside. Now, the rules of the Gredoan tradition are quite different. When the sticks have been broken, they are no longer acquainted and chat against a bamboo wall. Now, the man will be invited to come in and chat in the living room, of course accompanied by the girl's parents. But especially on this traditional night, they are given the freedom to chat until late at night. Frequently, couples who follow this tradition eventually get married.

The Gredoan tradition is very lively. Other residents, ranging from children to adults, parade around the village presenting various kinds of attractions to commemorate this tradition. Some perform fire stick attractions, play Hadrah folk music and carnivals of giant dolls. Among the various attractions, the fire stick attraction is the most eagerly awaited. The fire stick attraction uses bamboo and ropes that are burned at the ends. In this attraction, the local village youths demonstrate their skills in playing fire sticks, starting from showing off the ability to forming formations, Majoret attractions of martial arts.

The Government of Indonesia is improving collaboration with the World Bank to promote a stronger global economic recovery. This was stated by Indonesian Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Airlangga Hartarto when receiving Deputy Chairperson of the World Bank for East Asia and the Pacific, Manuela V. Ferro in Jakarta Friday (11/2). They discussed priority programs of the Indonesian Coordinating Ministry in the field of economy amid the Covid-19 pandemic, and the World Bank's support for the program in national economic recovery. In an official statement in Jakarta, Friday, the World Bank said that the coordination between health and financial policy makers, multilateral financial institutions and global health institutions need to be improved.

On this occasion, Coordinating Minister Airlangga Hartarto explained the latest developments regarding Indonesia's economic growth and the Government's program in the national economic recovery. The program includes Value Added Tax and Sales Tax on Luxury Goods, Borne by the Government for several types of four-wheeled motorized vehicles. In addition, there are also People’s Business Credit Program, and Cash Assistance Program for Street Vendors, Stalls and Fishermen.

Minister Airlangga also explained the direction of President Joko Widodo regarding the achievement of the target of zero percent extreme poverty in 2024, and acceleration of poverty alleviation through enhancing the effectiveness of programs and integrated data development. The World Bank, which has a special unit for handling extreme poverty in the world, has promised to assist the Indonesian Government in realizing this directive from the President.

Minister Airlangga also revealed that the government continues to try to eliminate obstacles and reduce the cost of goods flow in international and domestic trade through the National Logistics Ecosystem which is a platform that connects logistics supply and demand to improve the collaboration and synergy between Ministries or Agencies. The World Bank stated that it will collaborate with the Coordinating Ministry for the Economy and related Ministries or Institutions to develop studies and policies in a bid to accelerate the logistics process in Indonesia.

The meeting also discussed the issue of energy transition through carbon trading and a fair and affordable Energy Transition Mechanism without placing too heavy burden on people, industry and state finance. Minister Airlangga added that the Indonesian government has collaborated with the Asian Development Bank -ADB by launching the Energy Transition Mechanism from coal to renewable energy.