VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Turkish and Kurdish relations in Syria continue to experience ups and downs. The entry of The United States of America into the conflict between the two, made the situation more complicated. On one hand so far, the US military cooperated with Kurdish forces (YPG) fighting against ISIS militias in northern Syria. On the other hand, Turkey has insisted on destroying Kurdish forces which they accuse of being a terrorists group. A new, unpredictable development came when a few days ago, President of the United States of America, Donald Trump approved the Turkish military operation in Syria against Kurdish forces which had been the main US ally in fighting the ISIS group.

US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo said that the USA just respected the wishes of Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan to protect his people from terrorist attacks. Then, the US withdrew its troops from the Turkish - Syria border.This made the Kurds starting to feel that they have lost support from the United States and are betrayed. Citing Reuters reports, the withdrawal of the US troops from the region will make Kurdish-led forces in Syria, which have long been allied with Washington, vulnerable to attacks planned by the Turkish military labeling them terrorists. Observers argue that the rapid withdrawal of the US troops from Syria will only benefit Russia, Iran, and the Assad regime in Syria. This will increase the risk of ISIS and other terrorist groups regrouping.

What's interesting is the change in American attitudes that happened so quickly and quite confusing. Monday (7/10/2019), President Trump even chirped in his Twitter account threatening to "wipe out" the Turkish economy if deemed excessive acts. But in fact, American troops, The union which has defeated the 'Caliphate' in the ISIS region, no longer supports or engages in operations in the region. In essence, America no longer supports the Kurds. Predictably, as a continuation of the attitude of the United States, Turkey is getting ready to launch attacks on Kurdish militias. Previously, Ankara had twice carried out attacks, in 2016 and 2018. The target was the Kurdish People's Protection Unit (YPG), the militia that became Kurdish backbone. The White House states that Turkey will assume all responsibility for ISIS militias captured by Kurdish forces for the past two years.

The question now is what is the attitude of the international community towards the actions that Turkey will launch against the Kurds (?) Will Kurds experience the most extreme population reductions? The Kurdish population in Syria concentrates in Hasakah province (the Syrian-Turkish border), Aleppo province in the Ain Arab region (including Kobani which they are currently defending against ISIS attacks). 120 thousand Kurds have been curbed off from Syriaso far. Which country will stand next to the Kurds who feel betrayed?

Voice of Indonesia in Jakarta presents Let’s Speak Bahasa Indonesia, a lesson in Bahasa  Indonesia or the Indonesian language on the radio, which introduces   some  Indonesian vocabularies and  guides  you to use them in a conversation. The segment of Let's Speak Bahasa Indonesia is a cooperation of Voice of Indonesia, with the Language Development and Cultivation Agency, the Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture.  Today’s topic is Kamu akan berlibur kemana? or in English, ‘Where are you going to have vacation?’.  Stay tuned.

Next is a conversation about  ‘Where you are going to have vacation?’ or Kamu akan berlibur kemana?. Tony and Dinda are talking about the plan of vacation at Joko’s house.

After the conversation, now I’ll introduce some vocabularies and expressions related to the topic today.

In the dialogue, Tony asks Dinda Kamu mau berlibur ke mana? While, Dina asks Tony Kamu akan berlibur ke mana?. The word mau has some meanings such as ingin and akan by seeing context and situation when spoken.

Minister of Research, Technology and Higher Education,  Mohamad Nasir targets that the number of technology-based startups or ministry-assisted startups will reach 4,900 by 2024. In his remarks at the opening of “2019 Innovation Indonesia Expo (I3E) Exhibition” at the Jakarta Convention Center, Thursday, 3/10, Minister Mohammad Nasir said that from 2020 to 2024, the number of startups has to be triple. If there are 1,307 startups now, then in 2024 it will reach 4,900. To that end, the Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education provides at least budget worth Rp64 billion per year for three funding and coaching programs: Prospective Technology-Based Starter Companies (CPPBT), Starter-Based Technology Companies (PPBT), and Industrial Innovation.

The Indonesia Expo Innovation Expo (I3E) 2019 which took place  from 3 to 6 October 2019 featured 404 innovative products from technology-based startups (PPBT). Minister Muhammad Nasir also stated that Technology-Based Starter Companies (PPBT) or startups have also contributed to Indonesia's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). According to M. Nasir, in 2014, Indonesia ranked 17th among the G20 countries. Interestingly, in 2019 according to IMF data, it turns out that Indonesia ranks 7^th; this is an extraordinary leap. He hopes that Indonesian startups will advance.

Meanwhile, Director General of Innovation Strengthening, Jumain Appe said that the 2019 I3E Exhibition featured as many as 404 innovation products consisting of 249 innovative products from the PPBT funding program, 132 innovation products from the technology-based startup candidate (CPPBT) funding program, and 23 innovation products from Industrial Innovation funding. All of which are Indonesians works.

The I3E 2019 Exhibition carried the theme "Startup Technology and Industrial Innovation Increases Nation's Competitiveness”. Innovative products displayed were also in line with the mandate of the medium-term development plan (RPJM) on which science and technology development will be aimed at 8 focus areas: food, energy, health and medicine, transportation , information and communication technology, defense and security, and advanced materials plus a maritime focus.

Indonesian embassy in Pretoria carried out Indonesian Tourism Promotion Mission in South Africa. The event was held in Johannesburg, South Africa on October 3, 2019, according to press release from the Indonesian embassy in Pretoria which was received in Jakarta on Sunday (6/10). In the event, the Indonesian embassy in Pretoria, Tourism Ministry and Indonesian Trade Promotion Center Johannesburg cooperated with Singapore Airlines to invite 25 travel bureaus and business partners in South Africa in a bid to convey the update of Indonesian tourism.

Indonesian embassy in Beijing introduced ‘Pelangi Sepak’  sport which was competed on the commemoration of the 74th Indonesian Military Anniversary in Beijing, China on Saturday (5/10). The sport is like ‘Sepak Takraw’ or kick volleyball, but each group consists of two persons by using ball from multicolored goose feathers. So, it is called Pelangi Sepak or Sepak rainbow. Defense attaché of the Indonesian embassy in Beijing, Brigadier General Kuat Budiman said that the rainbow color on the ball reflects Indonesian students who competed in the sport in Beijing coming from various kinds of backgrounds such as tribes, races and religions in accordance with the motto of Unity in Diversity.

Chiefs of Agency of Drug and Food Control from two countries: National Agency of Drug and Food Control of Indonesia and Saudi Food and Drug Administration -SFDA of Saudi Arabia agreed to strengthen cooperation in the field of  drug and food control. Based on the press release of Presidenri.go.id. on Saturday (5/10), the bilateral meeting was held in Riyadh recently. In the meeting, there are five strong reasons which become background of strategic cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Indonesia in the field of drug and food regulation.  Saudi Arabia and Indonesia have majority of Islamic population  and they have strong relations. Both of them are member countries of G20. Drug and food Control in Saudi Arabia and Indonesia is conducted by one independent agency and the two agencies of drug and food control. Saudi Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) and National Agency of Drug and Food Control have their specific and excellent strengths in their field in each region.