VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

April 17, 2019, is a historic day for the Indonesian people. As one of the largest democracies in the world, today Indonesia holds general elections. There are more than 190 million people who have the right to vote. The voting this time is special because it is carried out simultaneously at one time. Domestically, the elections for  president and  vice president, national and regional legislative council (DPR, DPRD) and Regional Representative Council (DPD) are only conducted in one day, April 17, 2019. As for more than 2 million Indonesian citizens overseas the voting  was implemented earlier. Enthusiasm was shown by these voters by queuing at Indonesian representative offices in each country. When compared to general elections in India that are still ongoing today, there are system and time differences. First, India holds general elections to elect legislators. A party that wins a majority in parliament will rule, either singly or in coalition. So there is no presidential election. Second, the time provided for elections is around 1 month, which is until next May. Both in Indonesia and India the problem is the distribution of election equipment, which is widespread even to areas that are quite isolated. Meanwhile, both in Indonesia and in India, the people do not only live in urban areas. The majority live in rural areas even in remote areas that are relatively difficult to reach. Not to discuss the differences in the two countries' systems, but the essence of general elections both in Indonesia and in India is constitutional distribution of citizens' rights. Giving the opportunity to the people to choose the best candidate for running  the country. The people determine who they choose and the party they support. They also have the right to reject candidates who perform poorly, or parties that ignore the expectations of the people. That is actually the essence of democracy. The people are in power even though it may be seen on the election day.

On April 17th 2019, Indonesiahold simultaneous General Election. Indonesia had held General Election 11 times since its independence from the colonizers in 1945. The impact of revolution after the proclamation of Indonesian independence and the instability of cabinet were the reasons that the General Election in Indonesia was held 10 years after its independence namely in 1955. The first election in Indonesia was held in 1955. In the 1955 election, Indonesian people voted for members of House of Representatives (DPR). The contestants came from 29 parties. Although Indonesia did not have any experience in organizing general election before, the 1955 election was carried out successfully and conducively. The democracy festivity was transparent and open for all Indonesian people. Therefore, foreign observers perceived that the 1955 election was the most democratic election that Indonesia has ever held.The general election in Indonesia underwent several changes with the passage of time. After the rebellion of the Indonesian Communist Party in 1965 which was successfully countered, the new order was established. The next election was held again during the new order regime namely in 1971. The 1971 election was participated in by 10 parties. The 1971 election aimed to elect members of Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR), and the Regional House of Representatives for Provincial and Municipal Levels.Later, the New Order Regime cut off the number of political parties into two parties namely the United Development Party (PPP) and the Indonesian Democratic Party, plus the Functional Groups or Golkar. At the time, political parties were not allowed by the government to operate at villages. The General Election started to be held regularly every 5 years namely in 1977, 1982, 1987, 1992, and 1997.In 1998, the reformation movement successfully toppled the authoritarian new order regime. The 1999 election was held differently. As many as 48 political parties competed to become members of Indonesian House of Representative (DPR) and Regional House of Representatives (Provincial and Municipal Levels). The 2004 election applied different system. For the first time, in 2004 election, Indonesian people elected not only legislative members but also their president directly. The 2004 election applied the 3% Electoral Threshold so that the number of parties were restricted to 24 parties. Meanwhile, the 2009 election was participated in by 38 parties and local parties of Aceh. The Electoral Threshold was superseded in the 2009 election by the 2.5% Parliamentary Threshold. From 38 parties competing in the election, only 9 of them passed the parliamentary threshold and secured their seats at House of Representatives (DPR).The 2014 election was participated in by 12 parties. But, only 10 parties fulfilled the 3.5% Parliamentary Threshold and secured their seats at the Indonesian House of Representatives. Furthermore, as many as 16 national parties and 4 local Acehnese parties take part in the 2019 election. There are two presidential candidate pairs in the 2019 election. Presidential candidate pair Number 01 Joko Widodo and his running mate, Ma'ruf Amin. Meanwhile, Presidential Candidate pair Number 02 are Prabowo Subianto and, Sandiaga Uno.

Voice of Indonesia presents “Let’s Speak Bahasa Indonesia,” a lesson in the Indonesian language on the radio, introducing some Indonesian vocabulary 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 Meminta Nomor Telepon or ‘Asking for telephone number’.

Next  is a conversation about  Meminta Nomor Telepon or ‘Asking for telephone number’. Tony is at Prambanan Temple area along with his friend, Joko.  Joko asks Tony’s telephone number, the number  in Indonesia.

As usual, after the conversation I’ll introduce some vocabulary and expressions related to the topic today. I’ll say each word slowly, and twice. You can follow after me.

To ask someone’s telephone number, you can say Boleh minta nomor telepon? which means ‘may I ask your telephone number’  or Boleh minta nomor ponsel kamu?   or  Boleh minta nomor HP?  which means ‘may I ask for your cellular phone number’.

Finally, Indonesia succeeds in producing its own submarine. The type of the main weapon system (Alutsista), submarine made by Indonesian people was officially launched at Submarine Facility Pier  of PT PAL Indonesia in Surabaya, East Java on Thursday, (April 11). The submarine is named "KRI Alugoro-405" which was produced with a technology transfer scheme with South Korea. The launch of the Alugoro-405 submarine was carried out directly by Minister of Defense, Ryamizard Ryacudu and Navy Chief of Staff, Admiral Siwi Sukma Adji. Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu as released by Media Indonesia on Friday said that the Alugoro-405 submarine will operate in all Indonesian waters. This ship is the third submarine made by PT PAL in collaboration with Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME), South Korea. The first two submarines were built in South Korea and are currently in operation. The two submarines are ‘KRI Nagapasa-403’ and ‘KRI Ardadedali-404’. Meanwhile, Alugoro-405 was first built at PT PAL Indonesia.According to Minister Ryamizard, not all countries can produce submarines. In the ASEAN region, only Indonesia is able to produce it. He said that the launch of the third submarine is a major breakthrough in the Indonesian defense industry and it makes Indonesia even more accountable to the world. He also emphasized that Indonesia has no enemy, but the submarine launch shows that Indonesia is able to fulfill its defense equipment. Minister Ryamizard hopes that in the future, Indonesia will be able to sell its defense equipment to other countries. He views that Indonesia's ability to make independent defense equipment is in accordance with the ideals of the nation, which is to become the world's maritime axis.Meanwhile, President Director of PT PAL Indonesia, Budiman Saleh thanked the Ministry of Defense for PT PAL Indonesia to produce submarines. He also said that the construction of the submarine was funded through state funds worth Rp1.5 trillion. According to Budiman Saleh, with the launch of the submarine, the Indonesian defense industry, especially the Navy gains new strength as an effort of the national defense system to guard against potential threats.The Alugoro submarine has a length of 61.3 meters with a speed of 21 knots and is capable of sailing more than 50 days and can accommodate more than 40 crew. This submarine uses the latest technology and another advantage is able to carry out war at sea.