VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The conflict in Afghanistan, which has been going on for about four decades, has to come an end. Recently, there has been  a good intention from the government of Afghanistan to end the conflict. The Afghan government is to open opportunity for Taliban, that has always opposed  Kabul government, to participate in the administration. The conflict in Afghanistan began in 1979 when the Soviet Union established a puppet government in Kabul. When the Soviet invaded Afghanistan, there was no resistance from the Afghan government forces. Rejection came from the people, mainly Mujahidin. At that time, the United States that did not want to see any communist forces in Afghanistan, immediately helped the resistance against the Soviet Union. Besides the Mujahidin, another group that also fought the Soviet Union was Taliban. The fight against the Soviet Union finally ended 10 years later. Unfortunately, after the departure of Soviet Union, these two resistance groups began  fighting for power. In 1996, the Pakistani-backed Taliban took office in Kabul. Later, under the pretext of chasing Osama bin Laden, who was accused of being the mastermind behind the September 11, 2001 WTC twin-tower attack, the United States and its allies joined the  conflict. A new government under US control was formed. Outside Kabul, emerging resistance groups rejected the presence of the United States and Western allies. All of them use Taliban flags and they keep resisting until now. Efforts have been made to end the civil war in Afghanistan. Until todays, there is no solution. A breakthrough is made by Afghan President, Ashraf Ghani by opening opportunity, but the Taliban side is ambivalent. The elite are only willing to negotiate with the USA, while other groups want to negotiate with Kabul government. The Taliban needs to solve this internal problem first, before entering the peace process. Indonesia is seriously offering a peace solution to Afghanistan. This was conveyed when President Joko Widodo visited Kabul last January. Almost one month later, Vice President Jusuf Kalla was present at the Peace Process in Afghanistan. Indonesia is ready to mediate the conflicting parties to meet in Indonesia. Indeed, Afghanistan's long-standing problem will not be solved  within few days of talks. All conflicting parties must be patient, if Afghanistan wants peace again.

Indonesian Ambassador in Islamabad, Pakistan Iwan Amri said that the embassy will come to the Indonesian workers’ shelters in Pakistan and make use of post and social media’s service to reach Indonesian workers. Collecting data on Indonesian workers by Indonesian representative is an absolute requirement for effective protection of Indonesian Citizens. Indonesian ambassador Iwan  Amri, in a press release on Monday (26/2) said that in line with the 1945 Constitution and direction of Indonesian President, officials of the Indonesian Foreign Affairs’ ministry have instructed all Indonesian representatives to increase Indonesian workers’ protection overseas. According to  Iwan, in a meeting with Indonesian workers on data collection and verification of Indonesian workers at the Indonesian embassy in Islamabad, the data which is verified by the central government and representative of Indonesia is very important for the effective implementation of protection and service of Indonesian worker. The Indonesian Foreign Affairs’ ministry has cooperated with related ministry/organization in Indonesia to develop integrated database and information system, Portal of Indonesian Worker Care, which is connected each other with related institution in Indonesia. The Portal will become a media for protection and service for all Indonesian people overseas. Iwan  Amri  asserted for the database, the Indonesian embassy in Islamabad will come to the Indonesian workers’ shelters in Pakistan. The Indonesian workers overseas are asked to actively report themselves after arriving in Pakistan, and report again if deciding to return to the country. Besides Portal of the Indonesian worker care, the Indonesian embassy in Islamabad will immediately have facility to record data, so as providing easy service on Population Identification Number and resident documentation.

The Indonesian Consulate General in Davao City, the Philippines held outreach program immigration service day for an extension of Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR) in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat province. In implementing the program, the Indonesian Consulate General cooperated with Immigration Office of Mindanao. The Alien Certificate of Registration is a document which is issued by the Philippines’ Immigration as temporary residence permit for Indonesian citizens who must extend the permit every year. The outreach event is on the initiative of Gland Immigration and the Indonesian Consulate General in Davao City to handle problems of a number of citizen descendants who do not extend the certificate because of the difficulty of transportation and economic reason. To support the program, the Indonesian Consulate General also provides logistic aid to the Immigration team and all Indonesian citizens.On the sidelines of the service, the Indonesian Consulate General in Davao City, Berlian Napitupulu gave direction to 196 persons Indonesian people descendants in Isulan and surrounding area. The Indonesian Consulate General along with UNHCR and Justice Department of the Philippines also conducted Advocacy Meeting with local government’s officials so that the Indonesian descendants who do not extend the certificate for years will be exempted from fines and those who do not have birth certificate can be helped. The immigration service is held by inviting Glan City Immigration officers to Isulan city which is located 180 km and quite far and difficult to reach.

Initiating her working visit to Lebanon, Indonesian Foreign Affairs’ minister was welcomed by Navy of Garuda Contingent on KRI Usman Harun at Port of Beirut (25/2). To 100 personnel of Garuda Contingent of UNIFIL marine forces, the Indonesian Foreign Affairs’ minister conveyed her appreciation on the contribution and professionalism of the Indonesian navy to the World Peace. Minister Retno Marsudi said at Port Beirut, Lebanon, on Monday that Indonesia has long history in contributing for the World Peace. Garuda Contingent has contributed to keep the peace in Sinai since 1957. Indonesia has sustainably dispatched Garuda Contingent. It shows Indonesia’s commitment to the world’s peace. Because of the sustainable contribution and its good track record, Indonesia proposes to become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2019-2020 periods. Minister Retno Marsudi also said the world will see Indonesia’s commitment and contribution track record for the world peace. Garuda Contingent has become the backbone of UNIFIL marine’s operation. Of15 countries participating in the operation, only Indonesia along with 5 other countries which contribute ship and forces. On the occasion, the Indonesian Foreign Affairs’ minister reminded again that the Indonesian forces must always uphold professionalism, performance, discipline, dedication, and maintain Indonesian and the Indonesian military’s reputation in the UNIFIL.

The process of caning sentence against five violators of Islamic laws conducted at Babussalam mosque, Lampaseh Aceh, on Tuesday (27/2) got attention from all parties, including tourists from Malaysia. 27 tourists from Terengganu, Malaysia who are visiting Banda Aceh admitted that they are interested in witnessing the process of caning sentence against violator of Islamic laws. One of tourists, Ramli Nuh, gave appreciation to Banda Aceh mayor, Aminullah Usman, who has strong commitment to run the implementation of regulation number 6/2014 about Jinayah or punishment in Banda Aceh. According to Ramli Nuh, the punishment could be a lesson for others. He said it is good means of socialization, so that in the future, there is no more violation. Ramli Nuh also said that in Terengganu, Law enforcement of Islamic laws has existed since 2003. But the implementation does not run smoothly. Ramli Nuh further said the failure cannot be separated from a number of political interests in his country. He also recognized that he keep monitoring Aceh development from Malaysia through reports from media. Banda Aceh mayor, Aminullah Usman, explained that he has built Call Center service to receive report from people when they find Islam law violation at their region.

As many as 1,500 disabilities flocked Sabha Swagata in Banyuwangi, on Tuesday (27/2), to show their creativities and talent in the Festival of children with the special needs. In the festival, they showed creativity by performing their talent and skill, among others playing chess, becoming dalang, dancing, and telling story which were directly witnessed by national disability ambassador, Dewi Yull. Dewi Yull told to journalists in Banyuwangi, East Java on Tuesday (27/2), the children with special needs, are special children. She hoped the festival can foster spirit and confidence for the children. Meanwhile, Banyuwangi regent, Abdullah Azwar Anas, said the festival is part of based on community rehabilitation. Regional government of Banyuwangi in the last four years, has allocated scholarship for disabilities with achievements.

Bank Muamalat continues to conduct the Early-Age Hajj program with cooperation with the ministry of Religion Affairs office in North Maluku province. The program is conducted in a number of Senior and Junior High schools and also Madrasah Tsanawiyah and Aliyah in North Maluku. The socialization was held at Ternate, Tidore Island and South Halmahera. The Early-Age Hajj program has received positive responds from students who wished to open saving for hajj. The person in charge of the program, Sofyan Rafandi, told to RRI Ternate, on Tuesday (27/2), the program is conducted throughout Indonesia by Bank Muamalat, because the bank realizes the importance of pilgrimage, so that it can invite more hajj participants in Indonesia. According to Sofyan, the younger people save, the easier the implementation of the pilgrimage is.

Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund -IMF, Christine Lagarde visited Indonesia on Monday (26/2). In a written statement in Jakarta on Monday, Christine Lagarde stated that her visit is aimed to discuss the latest world economic development and Indonesian economic projection. In addition, her arrival is also to discuss the annual meeting of International Monetary Fund and World Bank to be held in Nusa Dua, Bali, in October. Meanwhile, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani after accompanying President Joko Widodo during a meeting with Christine Lagarde on Monday, said that the Indonesian government and Lagarde discussed various global economic situation from the growth to the digital economy. Christine Lagarde said that the world economic condition this year and next year will be relatively stable with the growth of about 3.9 percent. This will provide many opportunities for countries, to utilize the momentum of the world economy which currently is improved. However, the world economic growth, caused by the strengthening of the US economy, remains to be watched, as inflation will increase, so that it will have implications for the world economy as a whole. Related to the Indonesian economy, Christine Lagarde moreover said, that Indonesia's economic growth has the potential to grow larger than 5.3 percent this year, driven by consumption, export, and investment. The Indonesian Government and Christine Lagarde also discussed the trend of the digital economy in the world. Because, according to Sri Mulyani, digital economy will continue to affect the economy, so that each country must be ready with various risks arising from the digital economy. Minister Sri Mulyani added, the discussion also led to the problem of digital currency, namely how the payment system and how the financial system remains to be maintained in the midst of digital economic development. Currently, Bank Indonesia is reviewing the digital rupiah. President Joko Widodo mentioned to Lagarde about one of Indonesia's policies to prepare the digital economy through vocational education. The policy was highly praised by Lagarde. In his written statement, Christine Lagarde said, that Indonesia continues to prove its economic resilience. Lagarde asked President Joko Widodo and his ministers to maintain management and to strengthen policy.