VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Mayor of Jayapura, Benhur Tomi Mano appreciated the contribution of female journalists in Papua who have done their best in the process of their career as the number one in the city of Port Numbay. In addition, the performance of female journalists is also important in supporting the development in Port Numbay. This was stated by Mayor Benhur Tomi Mano in his speech when attending Focus Group Discussion with the theme 'Politic and Woman' This discussion was held by Indonesian Female Journalist Forum in Port Numbay on Tuesday (3/4). Mayor Mano said that in the structure of the government in Jayapura, he has given quite big space for women to occupy strategic positions. It shows that there is no discrepancy between woman and man in Jayapura. Meanwhile, Regent of Yahukimo, Abock Busuf said the same statement as Mayor Tomi Mano did. The Regent also said that he also gave space for women to occupy structural positions in Yahukimo regency. Women also have opportunity for politics through his party. Meanwhile, member of House of Representative of Papua, Christine L Mano said that political party in Indonesia especially in Papua also gave space for women in politics. Currently, many political parties have met the quota of 30 prcent which is mandated for political party.   In the House of Representative of Papua, more than 30 percent women have occupied the House’s seats.

Foreign citizen from Germany, Werner Rolf Wullenkord was arrested by immigrant official of Class II Immigration Office of Cirebon in Indramayu regency, because he violated the immigration’s rule in Indonesia. In a press conference in Cirebon, West Java on Tuesday (3/4), Head of Class II Immigration Office of Cirebon, Mohammad Tito Andriyanto said that Werner Rolf Wullenkord entered into Indonesia through Soekarno Hatta International Airport in 2008, and he used Visit Visa of social culture which was issued by Indonesian embassy in Singapore. While he was inspected, he could not show immigration document, namely valid passport and residence permit. He only showed the copy of passport and temporary identity card which have been expired. The immigration Office said that Werner Rolf Wullenkord violated Indonesian law, article 116 N0. 6/2011 on immigration. The arrested foreigner was cooperative among the Immigration Office, related institutions and people who were aware to pay attention to their environment.

Success of National Anti-Drug Movement of Indonesian Ulama Council of Central Java held audition of anti-drugs for young ambassadors of Central Java at Agung Mosque, Central Java, starting from February 11 - 14, gets positive respond from Regional Secretary of Central Java, Sri Puryono. She hoped that the movement can introduce various anti-drugs activities as form of protection to society. Sri Puryono said in Semarang on Tuesday (3/4) that the program targeted as many as 250 partcipants. However, the number of the participants reached 348 persons and produced trusted young ambassadors.

Roti Buaya or bread look-like crocodile began to be known by Betawi people when Europeans entered into Indonesia. Thus, European tradition and culture inserted a little bit influence of the original inhabitants. One of them is a marriage event. In the marriage event, there must exist a symbol. At that time, Europeans used flower as symbol of marriage.  Feeling unwanted to lose and to imitate Europe, Betawi people wanted to have their own symbol in marriage event. They chose Roti Buaya or bread look-like crocodile as symbol of traditional marriage of Betawi people. Roti Buaya or bread look-like crocodile becomes symbol in Betawi traditional wedding because it has its own philosophy. According to belief of Betawi people, Roti Buaya symbolizes reliability and  loyalty. The meaning of reliability is on bread. In the past, only nobles could eat bread. Meanwhile, the meaning of loyalty is on crocodile. Betawi people believe if crocodile only conducts once marriage for the rest of the life. Thus, Roti Buaya becomes a symbol of Betawi traditional marriage in a hope both the bride and bridegroom partners are able to be well established and loyal until the end of their life. In Betawi traditional marriage, usually bridegroom partner brings a pair of ‘Roti Buaya’; the smaller bread is symbolized as female crocodile. Certainly, it has its own meaning. The existence of the small one reflects bridegroom partner’s loyalty to the bride partner. Roti Buaya has the same sizes, namely 50 centimeters. In the past, Roti Buaya was not eaten and stored by the bride partner. The bread was left alone to harden because it became the symbol of loyalty of the bridegroom partner, which was ever lasting.  By the time passed by, after marriage contract, the bread can be shared and eaten along with family, especially relatives who do not get married yet. This means that they will get partners immediately.

On April 2, 2018, Indonesia’s permanent representative for ASEAN, Ambassador Ade Padmo Sarwono handed over credential to Secretary General of ASEAN, Dato Lim Jock Hoi in Jakarta. At the event, ASEAN Secretary General Jock Hoi conveyed appreciation on support, cooperation and important role of Indonesia in ASEAN, including support for the construction of the new ASEAN Secretariat Building. It is hoped the new building will encourage more ASEAN meetings in Jakarta and strengthens Jakarta city as Diplomatic Capital in the Southeast Asian region.

Indonesian Ambassador to Seoul, Umar Hadi visited Incheon, one of regions where many Indonesian migrant workers work in fishery sector on Sunday (1/4). The Indonesian Ambassador met the Indonesian migrant workers several hours before they sailed to hear their experiences. On the occasion, Ambassador Hadi asked all Indonesian migrant workers, especially who work in the fishery sector, to protect their health and work safety. He also reminded them to begin preparing business when they return to the country. 

Two Indonesian young designers raised the Indonesian pride in fashion. Velika Hillary and Cinderella Natali got an opportunity to exhibit their works in “Shanghai Fashion Week 2018 “. The two Indonesian designers were members of 17 students of Raffles Design Institute who participated in Shanghai Fashion Week 2018. Hybridity is chosen as the name of the collection carried by Cinderella Natali. It was inspired by her identity which is he got from various tribes and culture without forgetting her root and origin but also not bound on elders’ culture. Like diaspora Indonesia who are spread out in various countries and socialize with various kinds of tribes and culture she still loves Indonesia and become part of world citizens. Consular Associate of Social and Culture information of Indonesian Consulate General in Shanghai, Radityo Panjaitan who attended the event, expressed his pride for the participation of Indonesia  in one of Shanghai Fashion Show annual events. This appreciation was given to Velika and Cinderella and also Raffles Design Institute. The Indonesian consulate hoped the two designers can increase their role and enliven Indonesia’s fashion show and also bring Indonesian good image in the world by combining Indonesian design and culture with global design in their works.

Indonesia and Bangladesh have excellent bilateral relations, especially in terms of strengthening cooperation in industrial sector. This is evident from the value of trade between the two countries. In 2014, the value reached $1.38 billion dollars and this increased to $1.65 billion dollars in 2017. Indonesia's main export commodities to Bangladesh include Crude Palm Oil (CPO), trains and its components, and paper. Meanwhile, the largest import of goods from Bangladesh is yarn. This was disclosed by Minister of Industry, Airlangga Hartarto at the 47th Independence Day celebration of Bangladesh in Jakarta on Monday (26/3). On that occasion, Minister Airlangga Hartarto representing the government of Indonesia expressed his appreciation for Bangladesh that has trusted PT Industri Kerata Api (PT INKA) to support the development of Bangladesh connectivity. The railway industry company gradually sends 400 train cars to Bangladesh. The cooperation between PT. INKA and Bangladesh Railway in the purchase of railway cars has been signed since 2017. This will be a milestone of various improvements in cooperation between the two sides in the future. In addition, Minister Airlangga also said that PT Japfa Comfeed Indonesia plans to establish a new factory in Bangladesh that will focus on producing animal feed products. This indicates the stretching of national industry that is able to invest and expand overseas, while also showing its competitiveness in global level. He said that in the future, such cooperation would be directed to establish joint ventures in machinery and maintenance components, as well as technical cooperation or capacity building of Bangladesh's employment. He believes that the opportunities for cooperation between the two countries are still very wide and promising, remembering that there is huge potential of economic growth in Indonesia and Bangladesh. Minister Airlangga Hartarto also said that Indonesia has a large market and a lot of workforce. The government of Indonesia also continues to create a conducive investment climate as well as provide convenience for industry players to run their business. Meanwhile, Bangladesh Ambassador to Indonesia, Azmal Kabir said that Bangladeshi government is very pleased to partner with Indonesia in a hope that the bilateral relationship will increase in the future. He expressed his appreciation to Indonesian President Joko Widodo who visited Bangladesh and met with Bangladeshi Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina. Ambassador Azmal also stated that besides holding bilateral meeting, President Joko Widodo also visited Rohingya refugees. The arrival of President Joko Widodo to Cox's Bazar also coincided with the provision of assistance from Indonesia in the form of food and medicine.