VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

President Joko Widodo left for South Korea on Sunday, September 9, 2018. His visit to Seoul is the reciprocal one of South Korean President Moon Jae-In to Indonesia in 2017. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi remarked that the visit of President Joko Widodo aims to strengthen economic cooperation, especially in facing the current and future global economic situation. While in Seoul, President Joko Widodo is to hold a bilateral meeting with South Korean President, Moon Jae-In, and attend the Indonesia-South Korea Business Forum and one-on-one business meeting. In addition, the governments of the two countries will sign a number of memorandums of understanding in the fields of legislation, cooperation in immigration, economy, human resources, maritime security, and the environment and forestry. South Korea is one of the top 10 countries that invest in Indonesia, such as the investment of the Korean steel giant company, Posco which has established a partnership with PT Krakatau Steel to build a large steel smelter in Cilegon, Banten. Besides, the Korean retail store network, Lotte has also been operating in Indonesia for a long time. Trade between the two countries also increased significantly, reaching almost 12 percent. The potential is quite large. In 2017, the value of trade between Indonesia and Korea reached $16.3 billion dollars. In addition to strengthening cooperation in the economic sector, President Joko Widodo's visit to South Korea this time is also to commemorate the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and South Korea. In addition to bilateral relations, cooperation between Indonesia and South Korea has been also established in various international forums. One of them is the MIKTA forum -Mexico, Indonesia, South Korea, Turkey and Australia, which has seven main areas of cooperation, namely fighting terrorism, trade and economy, energy, sustainable development, gender equality, peacekeeping operations, good governance and democracy. President Joko Widodo's visit to South Korea this time will also be used to provide support for the two Koreas’ peace and strengthen Indonesia's support for the peace process on the Korean Peninsula. So, it is hoped that the peace of two Koreas will be realized immediately. Hopefully, President Joko Widodo's visit to South Korea brings about positive impact and strengthens better relations between the two countries, especially in the economic, political, security and socio-cultural fields.

Representatives of Bangladesh's Hajj mission studies the Indonesian Hajj services management to increase knowledge of Hajj matters and improve their services. Representatives of the Bangladesh hajj mission praised the Indonesian Hajj service implementation because they could serve a large number of pilgrims since registration until the pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. Head of the Medina Working Area Hajj Organizing Committee, Mohammad Khanif in Medina on Saturday (8/9) said the comparative study activity was also a place to exchange ideas about the management of Hajj services to improve service. He explained in the Hajj service system in Bangladesh, the private sector has more roles because the special Hajj quota for the South Asian country is over 100,000, while the regular Hajj is only seven thousand people. Meanwhile Indonesian Hajj quota includes 204 thousand regular hajj service registrants and 17 thousand special hajj service users. Mohammad Khanif added, besides Bangladesh, India also studied the Indonesian hajj services management. He said India uses a lottery system to determine the departure of pilgrims, while Indonesia applies the order system according to the time of registration.

Indonesian Furniture Products participated in Spoga + Gafa Exhibition 2018 which took place from 2 to 4 September in Cologne. Indonesian furniture products attracted many visitors of the exhibition. The exhibition visitors consisted of several large suppliers and retail companies, so this exhibition was a business-to-business promotion event. There were also individual consumers. The Spoga + Gafa exhibition is a leading exhibition in Germany and the world. On that occasion, the Indonesian Consul General to Frankfurt, Toferry P. Soetikno, accompanied by the Indonesian young economic consul and Representative of the German Industrial Chamber of Commerce in Indonesia, visited the exhibition to provide support to the 22 Indonesian companies. He said, the annual exhibition was an excellent opportunity to promote Indonesian furniture products, not only for the German market, but also the world market, considering that buyers came from various countries, both from mainland Europe, America, and even the Middle East.

Indonesian Embassy in collaboration with the Center for Asia Pacific Studies at EAFIT University holds a seminar on business opportunities and business experience with Indonesia at the Indonesian Day event at EAFIT University, Medellin, on Wednesday (5/9). The seminar was held in order to bring relations between the people of Indonesia and Colombia closer, especially in the second largest city in Colombia after Bogota, namely Medellin. About 60 people who attended the morning session of the event came from academics, businessmen, and students who were studying at the main campus of the EAFIT University. The event was opened by the Asia Pacific Study Center Director of the EAFIT University, Professor Adriana Roldan, as well as the Indonesian Ambassador to Bogota, Priyo Iswanto, who made a presentation entitled Indonesia: Diversity and Economic Future. On the occasion Adriana said, Indonesia as a major player in the Asia Pacific region and as one of the largest in the world in the future, deserves more attention, especially from the youth in Colombia.

Indonesian female boxer, Huswatun Hasanah gained bronze medal in female 60-kg class of Asian Games 2018 on Friday (31/8). The achievement has become a new history because for the first time, the women's boxing won a medal in the Asian Games scene. The first women's boxing was held at the Asian Games 2010. So far, there has never been an Indonesian boxer who won a medal. After eight years, Indonesia’s waiting was finally paid off. Huswatun secured the bronze medal after failing to move to the final round. In the lightweight female 60 kg boxing at Hall C, JIExpo, Jakarta, Huswatun Hasanah forced to recognize the superiority of Sudaporn Seesondee from Thailand. Throughout the history of the Asian Games, Indonesian boxing has collected three gold medals, eight silver and 13 bronze. However, all of the medals came from men's boxing. This is the first medal that Indonesia won at the Asian Games 2018.

President of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach stated that Indonesia has a good position and opportunity to hold a grand Olympic sports party. In a press conference session at the Asian Games 2018 Media Center, Jakarta on Sunday (2/9), Thomas Bach appreciated the Asian Games 2018 in Jakarta and Palembang, and stated that it was a good capital for Indonesia to hold a bigger sports party like the Olympics. Also, thanks to Asian Games 2018, he claimed to see the Indonesian people’s spirit towards the sports world. Another reason for Indonesia's excellence as one of the countries to hold the 2032 Olympics is the age of being young. As a country that has not yet reached a century of independence, Indonesia is seen as having a vibrant young generation and plenty of room to develop.

Indonesian Vice President, Jusuf Kalla in Jakarta said Indonesia managed to record history by achieving the highest achievement during the Asian Games since 1951. He explained, Indonesia in its participation in the 17th Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea, was ranked 17th with four gold medals, and this year at the 18th Asian Games, it rose to fourth with 31 gold medals. This was conveyed by the Vice President Jusuf Kalla in his remarks at the Asian Games 2018 closing ceremony at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium Jakarta on Sunday (2/9) night. Vice President Jusuf Kalla said, with 98 medals at the 18th Asian Games, the sense of unity of the Indonesian people could be further strengthened by increasing tolerance in Indonesia's pluralism. Indonesian national athletes won a total of 98 medals, with details of 31 gold medals, 24 silver and 43 bronze.

The eternal fire located in Mrapen Village, Grobogan, Central Java will be a historical witness to the start of the Asian Para Games 2018 torch parade. INAPGOC Secretary General, Bayu Rahardian became the recipient of a fire lantern from Mrapen paraded towards Solo on Wednesday (5/9) noon. The taking of Mrapen's fire for the Asian Para Games 2018 torch parade began with Grobogan Regent Sri Sumarni who was handed over to INAPGOC Secretary General Bayu Rahardian. In her remarks, Sri Sumarni expressed her gratitude for the umpteenth time the Mrapen fire which was located in Grobogan became a part of history for the success of the Asian Games 2018 and Asian Para Games 2018. Bayu Rahardian who brought the torch said the spirit of the Asian Para Games 2018 was expected to inspire and energize the Indonesian people. He said, Indonesia had just felt tremendous energy from the Asian Games 2018 with success in entering the top 4. This energy is expected to be transmitted to the Asian Para Games 2018 athletes. Regarding the target and preparation, Bayu said everything went well. For the target, it is pegged into the big 8, but he is sure it can surpass it. Solo became the first city to start the Asian Para Games 2018 torch parade. Solo is called a historical city for disability athletes in Indonesia. In the torch there are also three rings which indicate higher speed, strength and achievement. Braille letters are also part of the 1.9kg torch to make it easier for blind athletes who will carry torches. After coming from Solo, the torch will be brought to Ternate to be held again in a parade to coincide with National Sports Day (Haornas) on Thursday (6/9). Then proceed to Makassar (12/9), Bali (16/9), Pontianak (19/9), Medan (23/9), Pangkal Pinang (09/26) and ends in Jakarta (30/9). INAPGOC Chairperson Raja Sapta Oktohari said the commencement of the torch rally in Solo was the beginning of the Asian Para Games 2018 held on October 6-13 in Jakarta. This is a great history for Indonesia, which was the first to hold an Asian Para Games.

After successfully holding the Asian Games 2018, Indonesia is preparing to hold the Asian Para Games in Jakarta on October 6 to 13. Just like the Asian Games 2018, the Asian Games 2018 also has its own mascot. The Asian community has become acquainted with the three Asian Games 2018 mascots namely Bhin Bhin -the Bird of Paradise, Atung -the Bawean deer, and Kaka -the one-horned rhinoceros. These three mascots have successfully attracted the hearts of the Asian Games people and guests so that their trinkets were sold out. In Asian Para Games, there is only one mascot, namely Momo. Momo is a Bald Eagle. The name Momo itself stands for Motivation and Mobility, which means that people must continue to advance and adapt easily to the times. Bald eagle is chosen because it was the mascot of Jakarta where the Asian Games 2018 was held. Bald eagle is known as strong and brave birds. What is unique and interesting from Momo is that the Asian Para Games is held in Jakarta; it wears a traditional Jakarta clothing belt. Someone who uses this belt is considered a hero in society. The Asian Para 2018 Games will be opened by President Joko Widodo on October 6, 2018 at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, Jakarta. Chairperson of Indonesia Asian Para Games 2018 Organizing Committee -INAPGOC, Raja Sapta Oktohari said, the opening of Asian Para Games 2018 is expected as exciting as the Asian Games 2018. Asian Para Games 2018 will contest 18 sports: archery, running, badminton, goal ball, chess, cycling, judo, shooting, swimming, table tennis, fencing, volleyball, and basketball. The Para Asian Games will be participated by 41 National Olympic Games with a total of 2,800 athletes, 1,800 officials, and covered by 500 media both at home and abroad.