VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Governments of Indonesia and China may argue about the sea boundary of Natuna Islands, Riau Islands. But, cultural relations of the two countries are still harmonious. Seemingly, the event of Bonjour Century Star (BCS) was held in Bali for the first time. BCS is a talent search school in China. The BCS with its Chinese talented children performed in Kuta, Bali on Thursday (2/1). By collaborating with Agency of Indonesia-China Economic, Social and Cultural Cooperation of Bali Nusra, the winner of the talent search competition was given a chance to perform in BCS China-Indonesia Culture and Art Exchange Festival Awards Ceremony. Interestingly, the event collaborated with local young artists. The collaboration was aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between Indonesia and China in economic, social and cultural aspects.  

Indonesia is discussing with Roscosmos, Russian Space Company in a bid to send the first astronaut to the space. This was stated by Director General of Roscosmos, Dmitry Rogozin through an interview with Rossiya 24 Television. Russia has begun to negotiate with countries, such as Turkey, Indonesia, and Hungary, because those countries want to launch their own cosmonauts. The countries want to cooperate with Roscosmos.  Previous report indicated that Russia could launch astronauts of Turkey and Hungary to the space.

Minister of Public Works and Public Housing, Basuki Hadimuljono said that 3 countries as city consultants: the United States of America, China and Japan offer assistance to design new capital of Indonesia. The offer is by prioritizing the contest design. After meeting with the winner of the contest, Coordinating Minister of Maritime and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said in Jakarta on Friday (3/1) said that not all consultants will be received by the government. He also said that the Indonesian government will not provide something in return to the countries that assist Indonesia. Meanwhile, Minister Basuki ensured that the location of the new capital is in Sepaku district, Penajam Paser Utara, East Kalimantan, which is free from disasters such as floods and forest fires.

Ahead of year-end 2019, Indonesia was shocked by the entry of foreign vessels, the China Coast Guard and its fishing vessels into Natuna region. With the Nine Dash Lines principle from the outermost point of China, China considers Natuna waters as its territory.

For several times, Indonesian sea areas rich in marine products have been entered by foreign ships, especially for illegal fishing purposes. When Susi Pujiastuti was Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries in the last cabinet, foreign vessels caught to steal fish in Indonesian territory were even sunk. But now it is different, China not only illegally caught sea products, but also claimed Indonesia's sea area as its own territory. Even when the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a memorandum of protest over this action, China still reasoned with its Nine Dash-Lines argument.

Now, Indonesia's diplomacy must be pursued more intensively. In addition, patrols in the Natuna Sea must also be strengthened. Indonesian Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi has reminded China that China is also bound by the United Nations Convention for the Law of the Sea -UNCLOS 1982 which ensures the outermost points of Indonesia, complete with Exclusive Economic Zones. China's claim to Natuna waters which refers to the nine dash-lines is not based on UNCLOS 1982. China is one of the UNCLOS member countries, that is obliged to respect its implementation.

Obviously in Natuna waters, China has the courage to maneuver, because the investment promised by China to Indonesia is quite high. It is not clear exactly where the relationship is. However, the issue of the magnitude of Chinese investment in Indonesia should not be a burden for Indonesian government to deal with Chinese maneuvers in the Natuna region. The sovereignty of the Indonesian nation is the most important aspect that must be guarded and maintained.

North Korean Leader, Kim Jong-un announced that his side has revoked a moratorium on nuclear weapons and inter-continental ballistic missile tests. He set deadline December 31 2019 for the United States to make several concessions after 18-month diplomacy, President Donald Trump did not produce satisfactory results.

In the 5th Plenary Meeting of the North Korea Workers' Central Committee on Tuesday (31/12), Leader Kim Jon g-un emphasized that his country would turn to concrete actions that might shock and make the United States pay the pain suffered by North Korean people.

North Korea will introduce new strategic weapons in the near future. However, it is still unclear whether the test will be conducted soon. It is possible that Leader Kim Jong-un's announcement is a "shot" warning to President Donald Trump to lift the sanctions.

Pyongyang will continue to develop the strategic weapons and prerequisites needed for the country's security until the US changes its unfriendly policies and builds stronger peacekeeping mechanisms with North Korea.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump, who has met Leader Kim Jong-un for three times, often calls North Korea's restraint a major diplomatic achievement. In contrast to Kim Jong-un's statement, when speaking with reporters on Tuesday (31/12) night at the Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, President Donald Trump even said that he still had "very good relations" with Leader Kim Jong-un. President Donald Trump believes North Korean Leader Kim Jong-un will uphold his commitment to denuclearization.

North Korea has conducted ballistic missile tests that can reach the mainland of the United States of America. But of course, acts of violence are not the best way to solve problems on the Korean Peninsula, as stated by US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo so that Washington can choose peace and prosperity instead of disputes and battles with North Korea.

Micro Waqf Bank facility at Islamic boarding schools can avoid people from loan sharks to get business capital. That was stated by President Joko Widodo when inaugurating Micro Waqf Bank at Kaliwungu Square, Kendal, Central Java on Monday (30/12/2019). President Joko Widodo inaugurared Apik Kaliwungu Micro Waqf Bank and Al Fadllu 2 Islamic Boarding School Micro Waqf Bank. According to the President, there have been 56 micro waqf banks reaching 25 thousands customers of micro small medium enterprises.

Micro Waqf Bank is a non-bank and non-formal financial body in the form of Sharia Micro Financial Body. Micro Waqf Bank is established under the license of Financial Services Authority OJK that provides capital or funding access for underprivileged people who do not have access to formal financial bodies. Meanwhile in the operational, Financial Services Authority cooperates with Alms Agencies, Islamic boarding school, and community figures including in guidance for the customers.

According to President Joko Widodo, fund disbursed by micro waqf bank had been 34 billion rupiahs. President explained, 50 more micro waqf bank units will be opened in 2020 with permit from OJK. President guaranteed, goverment attempts to open many micro waqf banks to open funding access for people and to find capital for micro, small, and medium enterprises.

President also explained, that the customers must calculate their business carefully and do not use fund for purchasing consumptive goods. Therefore, the people will be able to receive benefit and pay the loan well.

In the same opportunity, President Joko Widodo asked the people to use the loan from micro waqf bank carefully. Loan system of micro waqf bank is about mutual trust, the agreement must be made in physical meeting, without any collateral in the loan process, because micro waqf bank aims to support micro small medium enterprises that cannot borrow fund from banks so that there is no disparity.

Meanwhile OJK Board of Commissioner Chairperson Wimboh Santoso asked the micro small medium enterprises players to use the Micro Waqf Bank, because the target is those who are rejected by bank since they do not have collateral besides their business, taxpayer number (NPWP), and business permit. Wimboh affirmed, OJK cooperates with big companies as donor. Facility of Micro Waqf Bank for micro small medium enterprises can help them avoid loan sharks.