VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Swiss Ambassador to Indonesia, Kurt Kunz visited Denpasar, Bali, on Friday (6/12) to see directly various urban people’ activities in the region. Based on a press release received in Denpasar on Sunday (8/12), Ambassador Kurt Kunz was admired of various innovation and tourism potential in Denpasar. In addition, the beauty of art, culture and tradition in Denpasar also becomes unique attractions for tourists from Switzerland.

The 12^th meeting among Transportation Ministers cooperating with Sub-Regional Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) was held in Jakarta on Friday (6/12). The ministers discussed development of cooperation in transportation sector among the countries. In the meeting, Indonesian Transportation Minister, Budi Karya Sumadi reported a number of projects which have been achieved. The projects which were under cooperation of the countries are like the completion and launching of Entikong International Freight Terminal, completion of Pontianak – Entikong Transport Link, flight of PT Garuda Indonesia Manado-Davao, Philippines route with frequency twice per week namely Monday and Friday by using ATR-72-600 plane, and completion of development of Adi Soemarmo Airport in Solo for expansion of passengers’ terminal and supporting facilities completed in October 2019.

Indonesian embassy in Amman succeeded again in achieving zero shelter which is accommodated at the Indonesian embassy’s  shelter in Amman. With the achievement, the problem which hampered Indonesian citizens in Jordan could be solved. The achievement of zero shelter at the Indonesian embassy’s Shelter in Amman is the second one after two months before, it was empty. Indonesian Ambassador to Jordan Kingdom concurrently Palestine, Andy Rachmianto explained in Amman, Jordan on Sunday (8/12) that the Indonesian embassy in Amman has conducted various efforts to ensure the service and protection to problematic Indonesian citizens to run well. Ambassador Andy assessed that the achievement which has been achieved by Task Force of Indonesian Citizen since 2017 until the end of 2019, is quite good. During the time, the Indonesian embassy in Amman has succeeded to assist mediation process and repatriation as many as 682 Indonesian Migrant Workers and 16 kids. The amount of money as the workers’ rights that was successfully solved through litigation and mediation was worth Rp12 billion.

Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi and her Fijian counterpart, Inia Batikoto Seruiratu agreed that the two countries promote concrete economic cooperation in the Pacific region. Minister Retno Marsudi met Minister Inia on the sidelines of the 12th Bali Democracy Forum in Nusa Dua, Bali on Thursday (5 December). This was reported in  a written statement of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued on Friday (6/12). On this occasion, Minister Inia Batikoto affirmed his support for the Indonesian government's commitment to enhance cooperation with the South Pacific countries, as a form of Indonesia's contribution to the security stability, peace and prosperity in the region.

Based on the successful implementation of the Pacific Exposition in Auckland, New Zealand in July 2019, the government of Indonesia once again invites Fijian government to collaborate in the Pacific Fair 2020 which will be held by Indonesia. Pacific Fair 2020 is expected to produce more concrete partnerships in the economic field in a bid to maintain the positive partnerships that have been established between Indonesia and the South Pacific countries during the Pacific Exposition.

Furthermore, both ministers also discussed the initial preparations for the formation of the Indonesia-Fiji Preferential Trade Agreement (IF-PTA). The trade agreement is expected to expand the opportunities for economic cooperation between the two countries in the fields of investment, infrastructure and connectivity. Thus, both sides hope that the initial stage of IF-PTA negotiations can be carried out in the first quarter of 2020.

In the field of agriculture, Minister Retno Marsudi said that the Fijian government specifically expressed hope that Indonesia could provide capacity building assistance in the form of training to manage agricultural products, such as cassava and sweet potatoes.

In addition, Indonesia and Fiji are exploring cooperation for the development of seaweed. This collaboration is concretely carried out in a partnership project between the two countries to establish a seaweed center.

Based on the written statement of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, so far the Indonesian government has continued to be committed to playing a major role in overcoming various challenges faced by countries in the Pacific region where most of the regions are island nations.

These challenges bring about impacts of climate change, marine issues and natural disasters. Besides, the Indonesian government also wants to contribute to efforts to develop the Pacific region.

Today 9 December, the world communities commemorate anti-corruption day. Indonesia is one of the countries that has made the anti-corruption day commemoration as a momentum. The movement to eradicate corruption can certainly be stimulated through the commemoration of international corruption day.

For Indonesia, fighting corruption is a joint commitment. Through law, Indonesia has formed the Corruption Eradication Commission -KPK. This anti-corruption institution is mandated to carry out prevention and enforcement. Trials of cases pursued by the KPK are processed through the TIPIKOR court. There have been many results realized by the KPK. In the course of carrying out its duties, the KPK underwent various dynamics, or we call ‘tests and pressures’. The case of Novel Baswedan is one of the highlights of both Indonesian community and international community. The case has not been revealed until early December 2019. On Monday (9/12), President Joko Widodo called the Indonesian Police Chief, Idham Aziz to ask for an explanation of the results of the Baswedan Novel case investigation. This case is one of several issues faced by the KPK. The latest controversy is the revision of the KPK Law which triggered a huge demonstration in Jakarta and a number of other big cities in Indonesia. The rejection of the KPK Law revision that led to insist President Joko Widodo in a bid to issue a Government Law ( Perpu) until early December 2019, had not yet been completed.

Whatever happens is that the spirit to eradicate corruption must continue to be sounded. Corruption as white-collar crime is an enemy of virtue and advancement. Indonesia with bad corruption index needs to keep learning from other countries that have better index. For Indonesia, comparing itself with countries that have almost achieved zero corruption such as Norway and Sweden is certainly not balanced. What is really interesting is learning how prevention efforts are carried out. Instilling values of honesty and shame in violating the rules needs to be done continuously.

From such matters, the commemoration of World Corruption Day can be a momentum to build joint spirit to eradicate or at least reduce the number of corruption.

The 30th SEA Games in 2019 was officially opened by President of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte at the Philippine Arena, Bulacan in the Philippines. The Southeast Asian Games which take place every two years involve 11 countries in Southeast Asian region.

The 2019 SEA Games takes place from 30 November to 11 December with 56 sports. The number is a record throughout history, breaking the implementation of the 2011 SEA Games in Jakarta which competed 44 sports. More than 5600 athletes compete for 529 gold medals. At this SEA Games, Indonesia sent the second largest contingent after the Philippines consisting of 1.702 athletes.

Historically, Indonesia's first participation was in  the 1977 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Nevertheless, Indonesia immediately entered the top-tier medal table. Even then, several times Indonesia won the title of overall winner of the SEA Games.

Records show that Indonesian contingent won the overall champion 10 times in 1977, 1979, 1981, 1983, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1997, and finally in 2011 when the SEA Games was held in Indonesia.

Will Indonesia be able to win the overall champion again? Regarding the target for the 2019 SEA Games, President Joko Widodo in his remarks when releasing the Indonesian contingent at the Presidential Palace, Bogor, West Java, Wednesday (11/27) alluded to Indonesia's success when competing at home at the Asian Games in 2018. He is optimistic that Indonesian athletes can excel in the SEA Games this time and can win 2nd place with a target of 45-50 gold medals. This is not an easy job, but the President is optimistic that the Indonesian contingent can fulfill it. The target, if achieved, is expected to improve Indonesia's position in the final standings of the SEA Games compared to the SEA Games two years ago.

A number of sports are expected to become gold sources for Indonesian contingents. Those who have the opportunity to gain gold include athletics, swimming, bicycles, surfing, ice skating, triathlons, and badminton.

The 2019 SEA Games have begun. The Indonesian people hope that Indonesian athletes can achieve or exceed the medal target that has been declared.