VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

In this year's Lebaran, the government provides relatively adequate lanes of going home. The line starts from toll roads, old arterial roads to alternative roads. However, good and measurable traffic flow management is the key to avoid serious congestion. Minister of Transportation, Budi Karya Sumadi said in Jakarta, on Sunday (3/6/2018) that he expects the prospective travelers not to depart at the same time. With long holidays, travelers can go home more freely. He further said that time management needs to be considered. Homecoming peak is estimated on June 9th or Day-6 of Lebaran at Cikarang Toll Gate, West Java, and June 10 or Day-5 in Semarang.

Former Rector of Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta for the period 1998-2006, Azyumardi Azra at a seminar in Central Jakarta last week, told his son who was studying at the University of Indonesia (UI) had been approached by radical groups. Azyumardi's experience illustrates how radical elements have penetrated the campus's everyday life in the country, especially after the Densus 88 anti-terror team arrested a terrorist suspect and two witnesses at the University of Riau (Unri) on last Saturday (2/6). Earlier, Chief of State Intelligence Agency –BIN, Budi Gunawan at the BEM IV Congress in Semarang on Saturday (28/4), said that about 39% of college students have been exposed to radical understanding. Budi added that based on the survey result, 24 percent of students and 23.3 percent of high school students agree with Jihad for the establishment of an Islamic state. Therefore, Vice Chairman of the Advisory Board of Indonesia Forum Rector (FRI), Asep Saifuddin emphasized that students should be made aware that radical thinking only consumes energy in the midst of fast-moving world with innovation-based development model.

Minister of Tourism, Arief Yahya explained before the homecoming wave begins, that the period is the right momentum for the regions to promote the leading tourist destinations. Moreover, Lebaran moment with long holidays  will make the tourist areas crowded with visitors. Arief projects the potential area that will be the backbone of tourism during the homecoming season is Sukabumi- Serang which is the Java-Sumatra route. Meanwhile, Solo and Banyuwangi are ready to welcome local travelers with various events. Arief also projected that Idul Fitri is able to increase the flow of tourist movements in the archipelago favorite destinations, despite the number of foreign tourists visiting declined during the period.

Organic agricultural product from Indonesia succeeded to record transaction worth more than $3.3 million dollars in an exhibition of National Restaurant Association (NRA) in Chicago, the United States of America May 19–22, 2018. During the 4-day exhibition at McCormick Place, Chicago, Indonesian Pavilion was responded positively. Even, the products attracted and became one of main exhibitions. Head of Indonesian Trade Promotion Center (ITPC) Chicago, Billy Anugrah said that total of transaction obtained during the exhibition reached more than $3.3 million dollars from over 30 transactions. Indonesian pavilion was visited by more than 100 buyers. Billy further said that the Indonesian products which were the most attracted by US buyers, were coconut sugar and cream.

Ministry of Trade provides consultant/expert to run information for Head Office of Free Trade Agreement -FTA Center in 5 cities across Indonesia. The FTA Center is information center for people to be able to optimally use the FTA. Director General of International Trade Negotiation at the Trade of Ministry, Iman Pambagyo explained that the FTA Center is needed so that all parties are be able to follow the latest information and  development on free trade agreements which involve Indonesia. The establishment of the FTA Center is an effort to reach and to maximize the advantage of free trade agreement for Indonesian economy. Iman also said that one of the keys to the successful implementation of free trade agreement is that all communities are expected to know correctly the FTA,  the benefits and how to utilize it.

Ministry of Industry encouraged acceleration of the settlement negotiations in cooperation of Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA). As many as 11 rounds of negotiation have been conducted since March 2016. Hopefully, this year, IA-CEPA can be finalized. After meeting with Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Gary Quinlan AO, Minister of Industry, Airlangga Hartarto hoped that IA-CEPA can be signed when Prime Minister of Australia,  Malcom Turnbull will make a visit to Indonesia in July. The reason is that most of the issues related to industrial sector which was discussed, have finished and both sides have agreed. This was stated by Minister Airlangga in a press statement on Sunday (3/6). Minister Airlangga ensured that the existence of comprehensive bilateral cooperation will increase export value of Indonesian products to Australia.

Program Corporate Social Responsibility or CSR is form of company’s responsibility for surrounding environment, where every company has responsibility to develop its surrounding environment through the existence of social programs. Especially related to people’s main needs of  surrounding company, Acting Governor of South Sulawesi, Soni Sumarsono said when visiting Wind Power Plant in Sidrap regency, South Sulawesi on Saturday (2/6/2018) that the program includes what people needs in accordance with the potential. Thus, every company in the program consulates with local people and government so that it has benefits for local people. Operational Director of Wind Power Plant in Sidrap, Aaron Pritchard said that his side has run the program to help people distribute the assistance. 

Regional police of North Maluku through Directorate of Water and Air Police succeeded to secure 80 protected animals in various species in South Halmahera regency on last Thursday (31/5/2018). Dozen protected animals, which were wanted to be smuggled to the Philippines, are 28 orang-utans, 21 fresh water turtles, 18 cockatoos, 8 Bayan green parrots and 5 Bayan red parrots. Director of Water Police of North Maluku Regional police, Commissioner Arif B.W when explaining to RRI said that the chronology of the arrest of the protected animals is follow-up of report of community, which was received by crew ship. The ship was loading the animals around the beach of Bori village of South Halmahera. This was stated by Arif B.W  in Ternate on Sunday (3/6/2018). From the investigation, the Water Police secured 80 protected animals which will be smuggled from Indonesia to the Philippines through sea line and the animals were not completed with documents. Besides, the ship was also not completed with Sailing Approval Letter. In additional to securing the evidences, the Water Police also secured 4 suspects. Commissioner Arif affirmed those perpetrators and the evidences which were secured in this case are under investigation by the Water Police to know the transaction process of protected animals, with a 5-year imprisonment and a fine of one hundred million rupiah.

To anticipate the flow of passenger by air transportation before Idul Fitri 1439 Hijriah, Sultan Babullah Ternate Airport established Integrated Post of Lebaran Air Transportation 2018. The post is a follow-up letter of Directorate General of Air Transportation on the implementation of Lebaran Air Transportation 2018. Operational Head of Sultan Babullah Ternate Airport, Saifullah told RRI in Ternate on last Saturday (2/6) that the post will start operating on June 7, 2018 until June 24, 2018. Saifullah also said that the post involves various elements not only personnel from Sultan Babullah Ternate Airport, but also personnel of the Coast Police Security Unityof Sultan Babullah Ternate Airport and the airlines companies. He further said that both passengers and escorts are also asked to obey the rules of the airlines for the smooth operation of the airport.

International rating agency -Standard & Poors (S&P) maintained Indonesia's sovereign credit rating on BBB- / A-3 with a stable outlook. Through its press release issued on last Thursday (31/5), the agency affirmed that  Indonesia's ratings remain at an investment grade level. Some of the key factors supporting the decision are relatively low government debt burden, moderate fiscal performance and moderate foreign debt levels. The ratio of government debt to gross domestic product -GDP in the next few years is projected to remain stable. It reflects stable global demand and higher commodity prices. The rupiah's flexibility and prudent policy in managing corporate short-term foreign debt risk have driven the decline in the external financing need ratio to current account receipts (CARs). The risk of deterioration in external financing costs facing Indonesia has declined significantly. In addition, the formulation of Indonesian policy is considered effective in supporting sustainable government finance and balanced economic growth. To support purchasing power and consumption, the government is taking steps to curb rising oil and electricity prices. These efforts are considered temporary and the momentum of reform will strengthen again. In particular, Bank Indonesia –BI is seen as playing a major role in maintaining economic growth and reducing pressure on the economy and financial markets. Meanwhile, Governor of BI, Perry Warjiyo said that maintaining Indonesia's rating by Standard and Poor's at "BBB- / A-3 " or Investment Grade at a stable outlook is a reflection of Indonesia's good economic fundamentals and a credible domestic economic policy. He also said that the ratings of Standard and Poor's further strengthen investors’ confidence in Indonesia's economic outlook amid continuing global uncertainty. Perry Warjiyo  added that in connection with the ratings’ affirmation, inter-authority coordination will continue to be strengthened. This is to maintain macroeconomic stability and promote growth.