VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The World Bank considers Indonesia's economic projections to remain positive despite increasing global uncertainty. This happened because stronger private and government consumption was able to lift real gross domestic product growth –GDP to 5.3 percent in the second quarter of this year. World Bank Country Director for Indonesia and Timor-Leste, Rodrigo A. Chaves in the September 2018 edition of the World Bank's Indonesia Economic Quarterly said in Jakarta on Thursday (20/9) that it was also seen from the commitment of the Indonesian government to maintain stability by issuing strict and coordinated policy. He emphasized that strong macroeconomic fundamentals have increased Indonesia's resilience amid rising global uncertainty. According to Rodrigo, Indonesia's economic growth is expected to reach 5.2 percent this year and also in 2019, which is supported by solid investment, stable inflation, and a strong labor market. Then, it will gradually strengthen up to 5.3 percent by 2020. Rodrigo further explained, Indonesia has reduced poverty rates from 19.1% in 2000 to 9.8% in 2018. This is a good opportunity for economic growth, especially in urban areas. The World Bank said, better economic opportunities, especially in urban areas, have helped many residents get out of poverty and become part of the middle class. More than half of Indonesia's population now lives in urban areas. Meanwhile, World Bank Chief Economist in Indonesia, Frederico Gil Sander remarked that urbanization could be a major force for economic growth and poverty reduction. But if it is not managed properly, losses due to the pressure will be greater than the benefits. On one hand, to generate the potential for urbanization, the central and regional governments need to cooperate to carry out policy and institutional reforms. On the other hand, the World Bank's positive assessment of Indonesia's economic growth also triggered a strengthening of the rupiah exchange rate against the US dollar by 22 points to 14,823 rupiahs on interbank transactions in Jakarta on last Friday (21^st/9). CSA Research Institute senior analyst, Reza Priyambada said in Jakarta on Friday that a positive assessment from the World Bank which estimates Indonesia's economic growth at 5.2 percent also contributed to the sentiment for strengthening the rupiah. Reza added that the World Bank considered that stronger domestic demand in Indonesia would continue to be a driver of economic growth.

Democratic Party in Indonesia, the 2019 Presidential and Legislative Elections has entered the campaign stage. The campaign period starts on 23rd September 2018 to 13th April 2019. This stage is marked by the Declaration of the Peaceful Campaign of 2019 Elections which was read by Chairman of the General Election Commission –KPU, Arief Budiman along with the presidential and vice presidential candidates, and the political party leaders participating in the 2019 Elections at Monas in Central Jakarta on Sunday morning (9/23). The peaceful campaign of 2019 elections began with a carnival of political parties participating in the elections. Chairmen, administrators and supporters of the political parties appeared with traditional clothing from various regions in Indonesia, remembering that the diversity that exists in Indonesia is not a messy one, but a unity. The declaration of the peaceful campaign of 2019 Elections was also marked by releasing some doves as a symbol of hope that the 2019 elections will be peaceful and safe. The theme of the peaceful campaign of 2019 Elections is "Anti-Sara and Anti Hoax Campaign to Make Sovereign Voters for a Strong Country." Why is the anti-crime and anti-hoax issue highlighted in the theme? Experience does teach; these two issues are very easy to ignite one’s emotion. Moreover, their emotion becomes fanatical supporters of the presidential and vice presidential candidates. The problems of ethnicity, religion, race and group are frequently used by some parties to provoke certain people or groups. As more and more internet users in Indonesia, the possibility of the spread of false news or hoax is also getting bigger. At least, currently in Indonesia, internet users have reached more than 143 million. The number allows information, whether true or not and bad or good, to be immediately spread throughout Indonesia in seconds. Strong determination declared by the organizers, political parties participating in the 2019 elections and presidential and vice presidential candidates to realize a strong state is contained in the declaration of the peaceful campaign of 2019 elections. Indonesia is determined to realize elections that are general, free, secret, honest and fair by conducting the election campaigns that are safe, orderly, and peaceful, with integrity, without hoaxes, politicization of ethnicity, religion, race and group -SARA, and money politics based on the available regulations and laws. To realize the 2019 elections that are free of SARA and hoax issues needs full commitment from various stakeholders. The campaign teams of the political parties and presidential and vice presidential candidates must be committed to taking firm action if there are supporters who disseminate hoax campaigns. The police should indiscriminately give legal sanctions to hoax spreaders. Patrols in the cyber world must also be strengthened. But the most important point is that prospective voters must be wiser in responding to the dissemination of information. Being wiser for the prospective voters to receive, filter and disseminate information is the key to the realization of the peaceful campaign of the 2019 elections without hoax and the issue of SARA. Hopefully, Indonesian people are certainly expecting that the peaceful campaign of 2019 elections can be carried out until the voting day. Peaceful and safe elections will prove to the world that in Indonesian democracy is able to realize and maintain peace.

Bali Island is one of favorite destinations of Indonesia for domestic and foreign tourists. This island is well-known not only for the beauty of amazing nature, but also its culture. Although many interesting places which can be visited, there are still tourism destinations in Bali which are rare to be visited. One of them is Suluban beach. Although being rare for tourists to visit, the name of Suluban beach is well known among surfing lovers. The destination has big waves. Thus, Suluban is well known as favorite spot for surfing. The beach is also known as Blue Point Beach. The mention comes from the name of hotel which is located not far from this tourism object. It is called it in order to make easy for foreign tourist to return to the beach whose location is hidden. At Suluban beach, there is exotic coral cliff. The waves which hit the coral cliff look like special scenery that never be found at another place. Although, it is suitable for surfing, the free-of-charge tourism destination has exciting activities which can be conducted.  The tourists can see monkey’s habitat surrounding the beach or enjoy typical foods of Bali at restaurant which is not far from the beach. From here, its panorama is seen amazing. There is a combination of white-color on sand, green-Tosca at the seashore and dark blue in deep sea. As long as trip to the beach, tourists will be welcomed by local people. Most of the local people sit at the hut and spend their time to weave clothes. Although they are busy, they are very friendly with the tourists. The tourists can mingle with local people while finding information about the uniqueness of the exotic beach in the Southern of Bali. Weaving made by the local people is sold at the souvenir shops. In addition weaving with beautiful motif, the shop also offers various kinds of accessories, such as hat, necklace and bracelet.  Suluban beach is located at Pecatu village, South Kuta, Badung regency. From Ngurah Rai International airport, it takes around 45 minutes by motor-vehicles. The road condition to this tourism object is good enough; even there is direction board which makes easy for tourists. Unfortunately, here, there is no adequate public transportation, so we suggest you to use private or rental car.

Bangka Belitung Province is well known as "muntok white pepper” producer. Evidently, the plantation commodity of the region was inheritedby the Dutch government, to support the operational cost of tin ore mining. Head ofTin Museum of Indonesia, Muhammad Taufik, in Pangkalpinang, Tuesday (18/9) hoped the history of Muntok white pepper can add the visitors’ knowledge. He said that the 19th centurywas full of uncertainty on tin price. At that time, the tin price drooped and caused minings faced difficulty to continue its business. To survive, they looked for supporting finance by opening pepper plantation at surrounding the mining. They employed mine’s labors. The Dutch government sent a botanical expert team led by J,H Teijsmann to promote pepper plants in Bangka, to support the stability of life of tin ore miners.

Ministry of Industry through Directorate of Small and Medium Industry declared their readiness to facilitate entrepreneurship candidadtes on craft and fashion industry in Bandung, West Java to be able to realize their business through Creative Business Incubatorprogram. There were around 120 candidadtes who participated in Creative Incubator 2018Talk Show. This was stated by Director of Small and Medium Industry of Chemistry, Chotling, Diverse, and Craft, Ministry of Industry, E Ratna Utarianingrum, in Bandung, on Monday (17/9). Earlier, a similar event was conducted in Jakarta, and on September 28, in Bali. Creative Incubator Talk Show presented a number of speakers in creative industry sector, such as Head of Design and Product Development Brodo Footwearand Retail Marketing Officer Duanyam. According to Ratna, through the program, the young candidadtes will be given training and accompaniment to develop their business. The candicates will selected to participate in Creative Business Incubator Program from October 13th until December 1st in Jakarta. In addition, the candidates also will be given knowledge on business development strategy, product marketing, and increasing their motivation on entrepreneurship.

Minister of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection, Yohana Susana Yembise plans to develop Maluang village in Berau regency as the first village that free from child’s pornography. This was stated by Minister Yohana in the planning event of village of free from child’s pornography at Maluang village on Tuesday (18/9).  The minister hoped Maluang can become role model to other villages in Berau regency and East Kalimantan Province. The minister also hoped, with the success of the program, so someday the village can lead up friendly village to the children and women in Indonesia. The minister affirmed that children must be saved from pornography, violence and dicrimination. She said big support of resident will make Maluang village a child-friendly village. It will be an embrio to bring the village to be child-friendly village. In the mutual declaration, Maluang villagers are ready to make their village free from pornography.