VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

On Saturday (17/02), the General Elections Commission -KPU officially established 14 political parties to participate in the 2019 election, which fulfill administrative requirements and factual verification. Of the 16 political parties that passed the stage of factual verification at the central level, there are two political parties that do not qualify or meet the requirements. They are the Star Crescent Party (PBB) and the Indonesian Justice and Unity Party (PKPI). In addition, the KPU had also carried out the serial number of political parties on Sunday (18/02). Among the 14 parties that passed as participants in the 2019 election, four of them are newcomers to the Indonesian political arena. They are the Indonesian Unity Party (Perindo), the Working Party (Partai Berkarya), the Indonesian Movement of Restoration Party (Garuda), and the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI). As the new political parties, they certainly want to stand in parallel with the old political ones. The newcomers have their own way and style to win the public sympathy. Take for example, the Indonesian Movement of Restoration Party (Garuda) will encourage young people to join. Because the young are considered more independent. While the Indonesian Unity Party (Perindo) will recruit cadres in accordance with the aspirations of the people. They must have competence and many advantages in many ways, in addition to high levels of public trust and good morality. Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) offers a new style in politics. It will target more young people and women who have been considered under-represented interests. While the Working Party initiated by Hutomo Mandala Putra alias Tommy Soeharto -the son of the former president of the Republic of Indonesia Soeharto will hold a political school internally so that his cadres have good political knowledge to compete against the senior politicians. Can the four new political parties win the voters' sympathy? Can they compete against the 10 long-standing political parties in the 2019 election? New political parties must convince voters that they are different from other parties. In addition, they must learn from the experience of senior parties in selecting legislative candidates. The people who will sit in parliament should be chosen selectively. If they want to succeed in entering legislative bodies both DPR and DPRD, they should be able to not only attract significant number of votes for the party, but also to maintain integrity as the people's representatives. The new political parties should not rely solely on their founders. They must also prove their existence with real performance and with honorable aim to build a better Indonesia.

Buton Island is well known with its asphalt. Besides, there are various kinds of tribes on the island. One of them is Cia-Cia tribe with the total population reaching around 80 thousands. This tribe is quite known with its uniqueness. The people of Cia-Cia use Hanggeul script in their daily life. Their traditional dance is Cungka. Cungka dance has existed since religion did not come yet at Wabula village, one of the villages which is lived by Cia-Cia tribe. The dance has its own meaning for the tribe. Cungka dance was brought by the first human who the first time set foot on Wabula village’s land. This time, Cungka dance is performed if there is usually a wedding ceremony. Before Cungka dance is performed, traditional song -Waironi is sung first without being accompanied by dance and drum. Then, Cungka dance starts being performed by male dancer and then by female dancer. The dance is accompanied by traditional music, such as big gong, small gong and drum. In session of the dance, Parabela or traditional male leaders and figures dance Cungka. Part of the dance has a meaning when process of human happened from the human soul’s trip which becomes a lump of water. After the male dancer, the dance is then performed by female dancer or wives of the Parabela and other figures. Cungka dance, which is danced by female, has a meaning human trip in uterus, namely from water to become a lump of blood. In the wedding ceremony, the Cungka dance will be continued with Ngibi dance. The dance is performed in pairs by using shawls. The dance has a meaning ‘happiness’ because from the lump of blood to become flesh and bone. The dance is closed with the dance from the bride along with family. The dance of the bride has a meaning a process which becomes human intact. Because it has very high meaning, the dance must be performed by the bride.

Director General of Defense Strategy of the Indonesian Ministry of Defense, Maj. Gen. Hartind Asrin said the skills and expertise of Indonesian Peacekeeping Mission have developed along with the support of Indonesia's own strategic industry. He was speaking in a panel discussion entitled "Efforts to Address Capacity Gaps in United Nations Peacekeeping Mission -UN MPP” at UN Headquarters in New York on Wednesday (14 / 2). The panel discussion aims to examine and promote the use of innovative strategic industries in support of the UN MPP. It also featured the success of the Indonesian contingent in carrying out their duty as mandated by the UN's MPP by using national strategic industrial products. At the same time, they are also expected to promote Indonesia's strategic industrial products to the UN MPP contributing countries.The Panel discussion was held on the sidelines of the UN Special Committee for Peacekeeping Operations (C-34) meeting. Attending the discussion was United Nations Under-Secretary-General (USG) for Field Support, Atul Khare, as the keynote speaker. The panelists were Director of the UN Logistic Support Division, AnneMarie van den Berg, Deputy Commander of the Center for Peacekeeping, Colonel Aldrin Petrus Mongan, and Head of Development Division, PT. PINDAD Persero, Dr. Yayat Ruyat.The Director General for Defense Strategy of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Indonesia, Maj. Gen. Hartind Asrin also underlined the success of Indonesia in optimizing the use of national strategic industrial products by the Garuda Contingent in the UN Peacekeeping Mission in accordance with the mandate of Roadmap Vision 4,000 Peacekeepers 2015-2019.Meanwhile, Atul Khare asserted that all UN Peacekeeping missions need innovations and capacity building to be able to carry out their duties in the field. Currently the United Nations together with the Contributor Countries should continue to improve cooperation under bilateral and trilateral framework.The panel discussed several important issues, including the importance of synergy among UN peacekeeping stakeholders to address the UN MPP capability gap. Discussed potential partnerships and cooperation among UN member states, and the need to involve the private sector to address the capability gap. In addition, they also discussed concrete steps to strengthen the capacity of the UN MPP, including through alternative procurement and innovative equipment financing. The panel discussion is part of a series of Indonesian campaigns to become non-permanent member of the Security Council 2019-2020. Indonesian exposure received positive response from UN member countries who attended the C-34 meeting. The exposure is seen as having innovation value and breakthrough or "out of the box." This is one of the tangible evidences of Indonesia's contribution to an effective and better performing of UN Peace Mission.

Tobelo town is located in east part of the northern peninsula of Halmahera and is the largest city on the island. Tobelo is the capital of North Halmahera district. The main attraction of Tobelo is that there are many small island clusters with white sandy beaches, crystal clear seas as well as stunning underwater beauty. In addition, the customs that are still deeply entrenched in the community are also the main reasons for tourists to come to this city. Besides, the amazing beauty of nature that you  must visit in North Halmahera Tobelo is Jembatan Batu or Stone Bridge Waterfall.Jembatan Batu waterfall is located around Mede River, Tobelo, North Halmahera, North Maluku. Its unique name is inspired by the shape of the rocks in front of it that forms a kind of natural stone bridge. The specialty of Jembatan Batu or Stone Bridge Waterfall lies not on its height which is only 10 meters, but the presence of other mini waterfalls in the same location. Being hidden and surrounded by dense forests makes the waterfall an attractive destination, especially for lovers of nature adventurers.For nature lovers who have rock climbing as a hobby, this place is one of the places worth being visiting to conquer the steep stone wall that is in the location of Jembatan Batu or Stone Bridge Waterfall. In addition to constrained steep cliffs, slippery rock is also one of the obstacles in reaching the cliff top. But the difficulty will soon paid off when you reach the top of the cliff that presents the beauty of natural panorama with incredible sensation. You will see a big pool from the top of a hollow roof. When it rains, the color of this waterfall is brown, mixed with soil. But if it does not rain, the water in the pool is turquoise blue. This clear water makes anyone want to throw themselves into the pond. The ceiling of the stone bridge looks pretty much like a walet bird nest and many other birds are also flying around the pool under the waterfall. If you have arrived in North Halmahera, Tobelo City and want to proceed to Jembatan Batu or Stone Bridge Waterfall, you can go to Mede village. Because the Waterfall Stone Bridge is located about 6 kilometers west of the village. If you use public transportation to this place, you can use a mini bus heading to Galela. Then, you get off at Mede village or Ruko village, and continue by walking into the forest. It is therefore recommended that you hire the services of a local guide.