VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesian team becomes the best three in Itaewon Global Village Festival 2018 in Seoul, South Korea. At the festival which was attended by 38 countries, Indonesia carried the theme of ‘Magnificent Diversity’. The festival lasted two weeks in October and was held in the most prominent international area in Seoul City. The festival with the theme “Let's Beat”, Itaewon successfully attracted 1.4 million visitors. Deputy Head of the Republic of Indonesia Representative Seoul, Siti Sofia Sudarma told RRI World Service, Voice of Indonesia explained that this festival was the biggest and involving foreign communities in Seoul and its surroundings. Based on the judges' assessment, Indonesia's appearance became a magnet in the activity.“Earlier, the theme that was carried was multiculturalism, celebrating the diversity of cultures in various communities in Korea, including foreign communities in Seoul and so on.Therefore, what is considered is not only its cultural wealth but also traditional product stands, and then there are dances, performances, parades, so the committee's assessment is the various elements,” said Siti Sofia Sudarma. Indonesia headed by the Indonesian Embassy in Seoul involves 40 Indonesian citizens and Indonesian diaspora, displaying Indonesian cultural diversity in cultural parades.The Indonesian team consists of the Indonesian Traditional Dance Group, Indonesian Student Association, Darma Wanita Association of the Indonesian Embassy in Seoul and the Indonesian Regional Association and Indonesian Migrant Workers in South Korea. They wear traditional clothing. Indonesia also displays Sabalah Dance from West Sumatra and Kelana Mask Dance on the main stage. In addition, various handicrafts from all over the archipelago are exhibited at Indonesian stands. As the three best Indonesian participants, they get bronze medal. The Itaewon Cultural Festival has been held since 2008 by the Itaewon Tourism Area Association, and is supported by the Yongsan District Government Office, Seoul. The Itaewon Global Village Festival is held every Fall aiming to establish South Korea as a country where meeting and developing various cultural traditions both indigenous to South Korea and foreign cultures. The festival is also one of the most famous international celebrations in Seoul. During the festival, various cultural offerings are displayed on three different stages. Various streams of music, dance, drama and unique games to the K-pop stage endlessly spoil visitors.

The Indonesian government is committed to providing financial assistance worth 7 million US dollars or about Rp110 billion to support various Palestinian development programs. This was discussed by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi and Palestinian Foreign Minister, Riyad al-Maliki during a bilateral consultation in Jakarta on last Tuesday (10/16). Minister Retno Marsudi in a joint press statement with her counterpart Minister al-Maliki said that the assistance is a concrete contribution to the Palestinian community. She affirmed that most of the total aid is used to increase significant contributions to the United Nations Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) from US$ 200,000 to US$ 2 million during 2019-2020. Meanwhile, the assistance of the Indonesian people to Palestine reaches US$2.92 million dollars and 2,000 tons of rice.In addition, the National Zakat Agency (Baznas) will also provide financial assistance to UNRWA and the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization for Palestinian refugees. The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) is currently discussing plans to build an Indonesian hospital in Hebron. The total assistance will also cover the area of capacity building. The Indonesian government will contribute to the capacity building cooperation worth US $ 2 million for the next three years. The assistance is included in the framework of the Cooperation Conference between East Asian Countries for the Development of Palestine (CEAPAD). Minister Retno Marsudi hopes that the capacity building will have a direct impact on the welfare of Palestinians, and for the independence of Palestine as an independent state. She also added that in 2019, Indonesia will train 90 officers and Palestinians in the field of women's empowerment, good governance, tropical fruit cultivation, drug and food supervision and flight training with Commercial Pilot License certificates in Indonesian pilot schools.The Chancellor's Forum and Padjajaran University will also provide scholarships for Palestinian students as part of Indonesia's efforts to prepare education for the young Palestinian generation. Since 2008, Indonesia has trained 1,887 Palestinian officers and citizens covering 171 fields of expertise, including the fields of government, law enforcement, drug and food control, and various other technical fields.Meanwhile, Palestinian Foreign Minister, Riyad al Maliki greatly appreciated Indonesia's assistance and support given to his country. This support is not only shown politically, but also reflected in various development programs, including the establishment of hospitals in Gaza and Hebron. He emphasized that all this indicates that Indonesia is truly united for Palestine.

Public debate has been heated again among Britons after Prime Minister Theresa May showed signs of considering the transition period of Britain's exit from the European Union (Brexit). May plans to extend it in the next few months. However, the extension plan proposed by May turned out to be sharply criticized by the British public, both Brexit supporters and European Union (EU) supporters.EU supporters expressed frustration with the prolonged Brexit negotiations. On the other hand, Brexit supporters say Britain must pay billions of pounds if it is to stay in the European Union.The reaction to May's plan does not only stop there. She also faced resistance from her coalition partner in parliament. The Northern Ireland United Democratic Party (DUP), threatened to oppose the government budget. European Union MP from DUP, Diane Dodds, views the extension of the transition period would actually disrupt her party. Even the opposition accused Theresa of "betraying" Brexit.Less than 6 months before the UK's formal exit from the European Union, Brexit negotiations are still not showing much progress regarding the border issue between the British Northern Ireland Province and Ireland. The problem is centered on a backstop policy that guarantees that there will be no redevelopment of physical boundaries on the Irish Island if future trade relations do not go well. With this extension, Britain will also remain in the EU single market and be the subject of EU rules and regulations, for three years after the official Brexit date in March 2019.The European Union has stressed that the backstop policy must be agreed by the UK if it wants to get a Brexit agreement with the EU, inspite of the extended transition period . Last February 1, 2017, the vote count in the British parliament showed that 498 members gave approval to Prime Minister Theresa May to start negotiations on Brexit, while the remaining 114 opposed.This means that PM Theresa May has the support of a majority of British parliamentary members and the public, to leave the European Union. But after running for almost 2 years, the reality in the field was not that easy.Will Britain really leave the European Union? PM Theresa May still has time to make the final decision until summer 2019.

The World Bank has bee committed to providng loan assistance worth US$ 1 billiondollars or around Rp15 trillion fpr  Indonesia in the reconstruction process, post-natural disasters in Lombok and Palu and strengthen long-term resilience. This long-term loan is a continuation of the results of the talks between Vice President Jusuf Kalla and the Chief Executive Officer of the World Bank Group, Kristalina Georgieva, who discussed the assistance agreement for Indonesia. Kristalina Georgieva in her written statement quoted by Antara on Sunday (10/14) said that the Indonesian government's efforts to restore affected areas were very good. The loan package includes giving cash to 150,000 poor families affected in natural disasters for periods of six months to a year. This social security scheme is designed to strengthen the local economy and create jobs during the recovery period and prevent long-term damage to human capital. This one billion US dollar package can also be used for disaster recovery programs to finance public facilities and other important infrastructure. Affected infrastructure that can utilize the assistance, including hospitals, schools, bridges, highways, toll roads and water supply facilities. In addition, the assistance can strengthen monitoring and early warning systems, strengthen the reconstruction process of houses and rebuild the infrastructure and service environment.Previously Vice President Jusuf Kalla revealed that the loan tenor from the World Bank for disaster management could reach 35 years, so it would not burden the government. In addition to providing loan or funding assistance, the World Bank also contributed US $ 5 million for technical assistancein the form of grants, to ensure that the reconstruction process is carried out in the near future.The World Bank estimates losses for geospatial damage and infrastructure, buildings and houses affected by the tsunami in Palu reached 531 million US dollars or 8.1 trillion rupiah. The estimate does not include the calculation of casualties, loss of land or economic disruption due to lost livelihoods.Meanwhile Finance Minister Sri Mulyani said the commitment from the World Bank could strengthen efforts to increase resilience and improve the handling of natural disasters. However, he ensured, the disbursement of aid funds and their utilization must go through a discussion process with the parliament.