VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

By highlighting agricultural ecotourism as one of the selected tourist destinations in Indonesia, the Indonesian Embassy (KBRI) Windhoek, Namibia, is present at the largest tourist exhibition in Namibia, the Namibia Tourism Expo held from June 5 to 8. Function of Economy, Information, Social and Culture of the Indonesian Embassy in Windhoek, Paulina Gupta Wijaya to Antara in Jakarta said that green field and Subak irrigation system in Bali becomes the theme of the Indonesian Embassy’s stand. In addition to promoting various tourism destinations in Indonesia, the Indonesian Embassy also utilized Namibia Tourism Expo to promote the mainstay export products and handicraft of Indonesia. Ambassador Eddy Basuki is very optimistic the promotion programs of economy and tourism conducted by the Indonesian Embassy this year is able to increase the interest of Namibian tourists to have holiday in Indonesia and also Namibian entrepreneurs to do business with Indonesia.

Eid al Fitr 1440 H celebration in Indonesian Embassy in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania treated Indonesian citizens’ homesickness on their homeland. Indonesian Ambassador to Tanzania, Ratlan Pardede conducted an open house celebration on Wednesday (5/6) to increase relationship among Indonesian citizens in Tanzania. The celebration was also attended by special guest from Muslim community of Tanzania, which was represented by Sheik Issa Othman Issa, Great Imam of Ma’amoor Mosque, the Greatest Mosque in Tanzania, who also becomes member of National Council of Ulema, and also delegation from Dance League of University of Indonesia which was in Tanzania for Indonesian Cultural Day event which was conducted on June 8, 2019.In his speech, Indonesian Ambassador, Ratlan Pardede conveyed his hope that through Eid al-Fitr moment, Indonesian people forgive each other and still unite although having different political choice during the general election. The Indonesian Embassy, in Dar es Salaam makes efforts to increase people-to-people contact and cooperation opportunity in various sectors, including economic sector between Indonesia and Tanzania.

The trade line for Bitung-Davao-Vietnam will be opened and should be utilized by traders and exporters in North Sulawesi. This was stated by Governor of North Sulawesi, Olly Dondokambey in Manado, North Sulawesi. The Governor said that according to the plan, Bitung-Davao-Vietnam trade line has operated again on June 17, 2019. Head of Industry and Trade Department of North Sulawesi, Jenny Karouw called on local entrepreneurs to utilize the trade line. He said there were various commodity exported to the Philippines, including copra and corn and many kinds of fruits. He hoped the existence of the trade line gave more opportunity to local entrepreneurs to export their products directly abroad.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is making a historic step by visiting Iran. It can be called historic, because Shinzo Abe will be the first Japanese Prime Minister visiting  Iran after 41 years. Although diplomatic relations between Japan and Iran have been going on for 90 years, since the Islamic Revolution 40 years ago, none of the Japanese Prime Ministers has visited Tehran. As an official government source said in Tokyo, during the visit that began on Wednesday  Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was slated to hold talks with Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. From the breakthrough made by Abe’s visit  to Tehran, Japan hopes for a positive impact, especially in an economic perspective. As is known, since the enactment of US sanctions against Iran, Japan has no longer imported oil from Iran. Japan transferred it to other Middle Eastern countries. In this connection,  Shinzo Abe's visit to Tehran, of course, intends to encourage to reduce the tension between the United States and Iran. Tensions between the United States and Iran have increased and is becoming  widespread, after the United States no longer recognized a nuclear agreement with Iran last year. Since then, the United States has extended economic sanctions to Iran. As a close ally of the United States, Japan certainly supports the sanctions imposed, including stopping oil imports from Iran. So it  is small wonder  if  before the visit to Tehran, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had spoken by telephone with Donald Trump, to discuss the Iranian Issue. And as conveyed by Chief of Japanese Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga in Tokyo, Donald Trump welcomed the bold initiative of Shinzo Abe to meet Iranian officials and make approaches to reduce the tensions that occurred. Will Shinzo Abe's mission succeed? Will relations between the United States and Iran improve due to  to Shinzo Abe's mediating role? That question certainly will not be answered only because Shinzo Abe has met and talked with the Supreme Leader of Iran and the President of Iran. Because the escalation of tension will certainly depend on the attitudes and decisions of each leader of  both Iran and the United States. One thing  can be ascertained,however,  Prime Minister Shinzo Abe breakthrough step will certainly have a positive impact on Japan itself. Because of the visit, the bilateral relations between Japan and Iran will be maintained. Even,  the image of the Abe government in the eyes of Ali Khamenei and Hasan Rouhani will increase. With this,  the relationship and cooperation between the two governments will very likely improve and increase.

Trunajaya dance is one of new creation dances from Bali, precisely Buleleng regency, North Bali. The dance was created in  1915 by Pan Wandres in the frame of Kebyar Legong. Then, it is refined again by I Gede Manik who is a well-known artist from Bali. Trunajaya dance describes youths’ movements in which they are getting adult, very emotional, and their attitude always tries to attract women’s heart. The dance includes entertaining dance whose performance can be showed everywhere, including at the yard of temple, field, indoor or outdoor opened stage and other places. Based on the history, Trunajaya dance couldn’t be separated with Kakebyaran dance which means that it is close to Kebyar. It is called like that, because the dance is accompanied with not only Gamelan Gong Kebyar, but its movement which is very dynamic and it looks like Kebyar. The development of Gong Kebyar, which has existed initially since 1920, has attracted through dynamic and modern rhythm. Gong Kebyar is loved by people, especially the youths and it quickly spreads throughout Bali, more interestingly since I Maria created the Kebyar dance. In Buleleng regency, people are very enthusiastic to welcome the arrival of Gong Kebyar, even getting special attention from the Dutch colonial at that time. The existence of Gong Kebyar in the region has encouraged the appearance of various kinds of new dance movements which use Gamelan as accompaniment of the dance. Initially, the dance was single one which also included  “Babancihan dance” because it presents man’s and woman’s characteristics. Along with its development, Trunajaya dance is performed by more dancers. The dance has flexible duration. The shortest duration of the dance is around 11 minutes.

Voice of Indonesia presents “Let’s Speak Bahasa Indonesia,” a lesson in the Indonesian language on the radio, introducing some Indonesian vocabularies and tips on how to use it in a conversation. This segment is a joint initiative of Voice of Indonesia and the Language Development and Cultivation Agency at the Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture.  Today’s topic is  ‘What are you doing?’ or Kamu Sedang Apa?

Next is a conversation about Kamu Sedang Apa?or ‘What are you doing?’. Joko’s family is celebrating Lebaran. Tony and Dinda watch wedding pictures of Joko and Dinda. Then, Joko comes and greets them.

Music                                                 : …………………...........

After the conversation, now I’ll introduce some vocabularies and idioms related to the topic today. I’ll say each word slowly, and twice and you can follow after me.

In the dialogue, there was an expression, Kalian sedang apa? which means ‘What are you doing?’” The question is usually used when you want to know the activities of other persons.

Here are some other examples :

Kamu sedang apa?           which means           What are you doing?

Dia sedang apa?                                        What is she/he doing?                               

Ibu sedang apa?                                        What are you doing, mom?

If you want to ask about someone’s activities in the past, you should add the sentence with adverb of past time. For examples :

Kamu sedang apa waktu aku menelepon? (What were you doing when I called you?)

Kalian sedang apa ketika terjadi gempa? (What were you doing when the earthquake occurred?)

Kalian sedang apa? or Sedang apa kalian? (What are you doing?)

The answers of the questions are :

Aku sedang mandi waktu kamu menelpon (I was taking bath when you called me.)

Kami sedang belajar ketika terjadi gempa (We were studying  when the quake occurred.)

Some other examples : ]

Kamu sedang apa?  (What are you doing?)                

Saya sedang membaca buku (I am reading a book.)

Kemarin aku menelpon kamu tidak diangkat (I called you yesterday but you were not there.)

Ya maaf. Kemarin aku sedang olahraga (Sorry, I was exercising / doing sports yesterday.)