VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Indonesian Government through the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources announced the fuel price formula of the Non-Subsidized Fuel that will be channeled to all gas stations (SPBU) and Fishermen's gas stations (SPBU for fishermen). Director General of Energy and Mineral Sources at the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry, Djoko Susanto reported to journalists on Sunday (Feb 10) in Jakarta that the fuel price formula helps Indonesia's state-owned energy company set the fuel price of the non-subsidized fuel category. The new fuel price formula is established based on the lowest margin namely 5% and the highest one which is 10%. Djoko Susanto told that the current conversion rates deployed are the middle exchange rate of Bank Indonesia and one barel equals to 159 liters.Djoko Susanto added that the adjustment of the fuel price aims to protect consumers as well as establish healthy and fair competition among fuel retailers so that fuel retailers will not take too many advantages. Djoko expressed his optimism that the formula could encourage fair competition among state energy holding companies so that the implementation of fuel business would bring justice.Through the new fuel price formula of non-subsidized fuel per liter, the price of fuel per liter has been reduced at a number of gas stations. On the same day, the state-owned petroleum company PT. Pertamina applied another price adjustment for the non-subsidized fuel price. Media Comminication of PT. Pertamina, Arya Dwi Paramita said a day before the implementation of the fuel price adjustment that the fuel price adjustment is conducted to respond to the global raw crude oil price trend and the strenghtening of the rupiah currency against the dollar currency.The reduction of the fuel price of the non-subsidized fuel will vary from Rp 50 per liter and Rp 800 per liter.Retail Marketing Director of PT. Pertamina, Mas'ud Khamid explained that in accordance to the government's regulation, Pertamina as the state-owned gas and oil company, Pertamina complies with the new fuel price policy based on the new fuel price formula set by the government.

In February 2019, the Iranian Revolution is 40 years old. Precisely on February 11, 1979, the country experienced what was called the Iranian Revolution led by Ayatollah Khomeini and ended the era of Shah Reza Pahlevi government. On the anniversary day this year the Iranian people left their homes and exposed the road under the cold air, expressing their loyalty to the principles of Shi'a Islam which were the basis of the country. The expression of loyalty is a marker for every commemoration of the Iranian Revolution. It was carried out in all embassies and representatives of the country, including in Jakarta. Iran's Ambassador to Indonesia Vailollah Mahammadi, in his speech stated that the Iranian people remained loyal to the Revolutionary movement and supported the government. That is what causes the country to survive the economic sanctions imposed by the United States and its allies. In fact, according to Ambassador Mohammadi, Iran still managed to score progress. The United States is one of the countries that imposed sanctions on Iran because Tehran is accused to have developed nuclear weapons of mass destruction.The commemoration of the Iranian Revolution this year, in fact, still happened as the United States intensifies the pressure of economic sanctions. Anti-US and Israeli shoutings came from the people who went down to celebrate the historic event that had succeeded in replacing the Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlevi regime. They also contained criticism against the Al Saud Government in Saudi Arabia. In Tehran, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani again stated that the 1979 Revolution had saved Iran from tyranny , occupation and dependence. Rouhani also claimed that his country had succeeded in thwarting a conspiracy led by the US and Israel. The Iranian leader even vowed that his country would continue to carry out a missile program on the grounds of keeping the country from the threat of foreigners.From the commemoration of the Iranian Revolution and the overflow of people on the streets amid the cold weather, it can be seen clearly that the people remained loyal to the revolution and supported the government. The people's support was the capital of President Rouhani's government to defend against the pressure of economic sanctions. Nevertheless, the Iranian Government certainly cannot ignore the expectations of people who feel economically depressed. In addition, it is also necessary to pay attention to the hopes of the reformists who want economic transparency and freedom among the people, as well as the cleansing of the government from corrupt practices.

Indonesia is rich of various kinds of cultures. The diversity is formed by a number of tribes that live in Indonesian territory and spread out on various islands. Every tribe has customs, language, arts, regional songs, traditional house, including traditional clothes. Generally, every regional cloth is completed with traditional weapon, such as Golok from Jakarta, Kujang from West Java, Piso Surit from North Sumatra, and Rencong from Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam, and many others. West Sulawesi province has various tribes, such as Mandar, Pattae, Pannei, and Pattinjo. Mandar tribe has traditional weapon, called ‘Jambia’. In the past, farmers used the weapon for hunting or killing forest animals which destroyed their plants. The weapon was also used to protect them when wandering. Jambia is a traditional weapon like Badik. Its form is a little bit wide on the middle of blade and its tip is sharp. Jambia has two types, namely ‘Jambia Baine’ for women and ‘Jambia Muane’ for men. Comparing with Badik from South Sulawesi, the characteristic of Jambia can be seen from ‘Cipiq’. Cipiq is a sign on Jambia that is split in two ends. While ‘Bisaq’ is a sign of dividing the two halves or back of badik, and penetrates from top to bottom. In ancient belief, the two characteristics were considered good to be used for trade and farming because it was believed that it would bring a lot of fortune. Names of parts on Jambia are ‘Pulu’ or head of Jambia that functions as holder, ‘Oting’ is part of base that is planted into Pulu, Tondong, Seqde, and Uyung or tip of Jambia. While its Sarong or cover is called ‘Guma’.

Indonesian Tourism Ministry was supported by Indonesian embassy in Helsinki to participate in promoting Indonesian tourism destinations,  Bali and Beyond Bali in tourism exhibition of Tourest Travel Trade Fair 2019. The exhibition was held on February 8-10 in Tallinn, Estonia. The exhibition was participated in by 30 countries with total 533 exhibitors. Indonesian participation was also to promote various kinds of Indonesian cultures and  Arabica premium single origin Indonesia coffees, such as Mandailing, Toraja, Bali and East Java. The existence of Indonesia on Tourest 2019 was strengthened by Indonesian cultures performance that consisted of  Sekar Jagad, Piring dance and Sasando musical instrument performance on the main stage. On Tourest 2019, a famous blogger and traveller of Estonia, Almer Ansu, officially announced opening direct flight of Turkish Air from Istanbul to Bali in the Mid of July in 2019.

India targets investment on technology of information, medicines and l electricity sector in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan this year. Deputy of Indian Ambassador to Indonesia, Prakash Gupta said that a number of entrepreneurs from India have conducted communication with city’s government of Balikpapan to invest in this city. Opening Indian Cultural Festival coinciding with the 122nd anniversary of Balikpapan City on Sunday (10/2), Prakash mentioned that the three sectors are the most potential economic sectors from India to be cooperated with City’s government of Balikpapan.

Indonesian embassy in Brussels, supported by Tourism Ministry promoted "New 10 Bali" on Brussels Holiday Fair at Brussels Expo, Belgium on February 7-10. Indonesian Ambassador in Brussels, Yuri Thamrin officially opened Indonesian pavilion and invited Belgium people to visit the pavilion to get to know Indonesian tourism destinations which are offered.  The Wonderful Indonesia pavilion performed various kinds of events, such as dances, culinary, coffee promotion from barista from Indonesia until quiz. Brussels Holiday Fair became the only one exhibition in Belgium that was participated in by 350 exhibitors and visited by more than 100 thousand people.