VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Gresik City located in East Java Province is well-known not only for its industrial city, but also its attractive tourism destination as many other regions have across Indonesia. Moreover, in Gresik, there is also a natural tourism spot. Visitors can enjoy the coolness of the day. The tourism spot is called ‘Sendang Banyu Biru’ or in English it means a lake which has bluish water.

Sendang Banyu Biru is one of the tourism attractions in Lowayu Village, Dukun District, Gresik. This place is very beautiful and someone can spoil themselves from daily activities. Sendang Banyu Biru Lowayu Gresik is charming and interesting to visit. If you do not visit Gresik City, please pay a visit to this extremely tourism spot.

According to its name, Sendang Banyu Biru has clear bluish water, which is the main attraction. The water of this lake is blue because of the sulfur content. The local people believe that the existence of Sendang Banyu Biru has been known for a long time, even before the Dutch colonial period. In addition, the lake water is also believed to cure various skin diseases.

The facilities at Sendang Banyu Biru that are currently available include a vehicle parking area, prayer room, and bathroom. If you don't bring food and drink supplies, you don't need to worry because not far from the location, there is a simple food stall owned by the local residents. If in the future, you will visit East Java Province, don't forget to stop by Gresik to visit Sendang Banyu Biru. To go to this tourism spot by any motor vehicles, you may head to Lowayu Village, Dukun District, Gresik, East Java.

Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto along with New Zealand Ambassador to Indonesia, Kevin Burnett discussed economic recovery efforts in the trade, agriculture, industrial sectors  and energy. Ambassador Burnett in his statement in Jakarta, Thursday (3/2) said that Indonesia and New Zealand have a target to increase trade value in two ways, amounting to 4 billion New Zealand dollars or around 38 billion rupiahs until 2024. So, it is important for both countries to increase cooperation in a bid to achieve the target. Currently, the trade value between Indonesia and New Zealand reaches 1.5 billion New Zealand dollars or around 14 billion rupiahs. New Zealand’s main exports to Indonesia include various dairy products, such as milk, cheese, and yogurt.

In addition to being interested in knowing Indonesia's priorities in this year's G20 Presidency, Ambassador Burnett also expressed his gratitude for Indonesia's support for the implementation of the New Zealand APEC Chair. He offered assistance to Indonesia's G20 Presidency and opportunity for cooperation in various sectors of both countries.

Meanwhile, Minister Airlangga Hartarto stated that the meeting discussed restoring the global economic order after the pandemic to become stronger, more inclusive, and more collaborative by utilizing digitalization. According to Minister Airlangga, the digitalization is a game changer in a pandemic, and it grows rapidly compared to pre-pandemic. Digital transformation supports Indonesia's efforts to rebuild post-pandemic economic governance and architecture, and very high growth, especially in the online education and telemedicine sectors. The digitalization also supports registration and implementation of Pre-Employment Card Program training.

On that occasion, Minister Airlangga Hartarto also invited New Zealand to become a partner in the energy transition program. One of the collaborations that can be developed is geothermal power. The energy sector, especially the transition of fossil energy into new and renewable energy, has become a priority agenda of G20.

This week marks an important commemoration for the mass media in Indonesia, namely National Press Day. The opening of the 2022 National Press Day was held on Sunday (6/2) in Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi. It is planned that President Joko Widodo will give a speech at the Peak of the Commemoration of National Press Day on February 9.

Initially, the President stated that he would attend directly in Kendari. However, the recent increasing number of people exposed to Covid-19 has made all of President Joko Widodo's face-to-face agendas temporarily suspended. Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Heru Budi Hartono explained to the media crew that starting Sunday (6/2), all activities would be followed by the Head of State online.

In fact, President Joko Widodo's online presence has actually answered the wishes of the Indonesian Editor-in-Chief Forum. Quoting the Antara News Agency report on January 28, 2022, the Indonesian Editor-in-Chief Forum asked the government, State-Owned Enterprises, and the private sectors to increase virtual events in order to anticipate the transmission of Covid-19 to journalists. Forum Chair Arifin Asydhad said, according to data, so far many journalists and media workers from various mass media have contracted COVID-19. In fact, the number continues to grow every day.

Amidf the Covid-19 pandemic, journalists are one of the professions at the forefront. The press carries out its duties to explain clearly about Covid-19, starting from the current conditions of the spread of the Covid-19 virus with all its variants to the anticipatory steps that must be taken by the public so as not to be exposed. The press also plays an important role in increasing public discipline in carrying out health protocols and awareness to vaccinate. In addition, the press is also fighting the fake news that is widely circulated about Covid-19.

To carry out their duties, journalists often have to go to the field, such as reporting the actual conditions in hospitals handling Covid-19. Therefore, the journalists are at high risk of being exposed to, even dying from Covid-19. According to a report by a non-governmental organization with special consultative status from the United Nations, the Press Emblem Campaign, as of early January, nearly two thousand journalists in 94 countries had died due to the Covid-19.

The commemoration of National Press Day can be a momentum to make all parties in Indonesia aware of the duties and roles that have been carried out by journalists in overcoming the Covid-19 pandemic. Besides, all parties are reminded to prioritize organizing virtual or online press events or conferences. Thus, important and correct information about Covid-19 can reach the public immediately, but by minimizing the risk of journalists being exposed to Covid-19.

Happy National Press Day 2022!  

If you travel to Bengkulu, please visit one of the unique tourism villages, namely the Rindu Hati tourism village. Rindu Hati Village is precisely located in Taba Penanjung subdistrict and it takes about 40 minutes from the provincial capital by motor vehicles. Rindu Hati Village has several natural tourism destinations. First, there is Curug Hujan ( Hujan Waterfall ) which is about 15 meters high. To arrive at the waterfall, you have to cross the residents' plantations for approximately 30 minutes. When you arrive at the waterfall, you can enjoy the beautiful natural scenery and the water is very clear. You can also play in the water there. Then, you can also visit Cuup Jen waterfall and Supit waterfall which are also beautiful. Even, you can also visit the Rindu Hati River, and you can enjoy this clear river flow by bathing in the river. Besides, you can also get relaxed or have a picnic at the bank of the river.

In this Bengkulu Province, there is also Lake Telaga Putri which offers beautiful views with cool air. The atmosphere is still very natural. You can track to head for the lake, then you can go camping at the bank of the lake. In Rindu Hati Village, there is also a stone boat tour, or buteu jung. This stone is identical to the legend of Putri Gading Cempaka who is narrated to ride a boat from the Muara Bangkahulu River to the Rindu Hati River. For those who like challenging activities, they can also try rock climbing at Bukit Endu with a height of about 75 meters. Or you can also choose river tubing by using tires.

For those of you who want to stay overnight, you can try the sensation of glamping or glamor camping such as an inn in the form of a modern tent. There are eight glamping units provided with a size of 3x3 meters. Each tent is equipped with facilities such as mattresses, pillows, blankets, drinking water, and breakfast. The attraction of staying in this glamping area is the location of the tent is directly across from the river so that the view is really beautiful. Moreover, for those of you who love coffee, the tourism village also has a superior commodity, namely red pickled coffee. Robusta type red coffee is grown at an altitude of 200-800 meters above sea level and it produces a delicious cream and a thin layer of foam. This coffee can be appropriately combined with espresso.