VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

February 13 is annually celebrated as World Radio Day. The role of radio is recognized to be important, because radio can reach wide community quickly. Representative of Palangkaraya Diocese, Pastor Subandi, after "Kalimantan Tengah Menyapa" dialog at Palangkaraya RRI on Tuesday (13/2) said, the merits of radio must be used for educating people, especially on environmental issues. He explained, radio nowadays must keep innovating to be accepted by listeners. The increasing number of social media becomes rivals of radio. However, He also said, the social media is relatively limited, because not all people join it. He added that radio also plays a strategic role in educating people to be not easily provoked by invalidated issues spread in social media. Pastor Subandi hopes, radio can be used to spread useful information for people's welfare.

Youths of Central Aceh, initiated by the National Committee of Indonesian Youth and the Indonesian Nationalist Student Movement, held a seminar on the dangers of drugs at Takengon Arts Building on Tuesday (13/2). Chair of the organizing Committee, Mulyadi, amidst the seminar said, the event was held based on the spirit of the youths to prevent drug abuse that currently is getting more and more worrying. The seminar themed "Drug Prevention Through Local Wisdom" according to Mulyadi, received support from Aceh Tengah Regency Government, Aceh Tengah Legislative Council, and many other parties. Aceh Tengah Regent, Shabela Abukabar appreciated the youths' movement that had initiated an important activity to educate the people, especially the youths, to stay away from drugs. According to Shabela, local wisdom can help preventing drug trafficking among the people, by increasing togetherness, reminding each other, and sharing information if people find any drug abuse suspects. Cooperation from all is needed to anticipate the drug abuse and trade, beginning from the lowest level of community which is the family and village until higher governmental structure. In the seminar, there was also the signing of Integrity Pact as joint commitment to prevent and eradicate drug trafficking.

Deputy Regent of Jember, Kyai Muqit Arief called on all people of Jember Regency, East Java Province not to be easily provoked by issues that try to disturb the religious harmony that leads to disintegration of Indonesia. Various attacks against religious figures in several regions were suspected to be effort from certain groups with hidden agenda that is not based on any religious teaching. That was stated by Kyai Muqit to RRI Jember on Tuesday (13/2). According to Kyai Muqit, in every religious teaching, the attacks by the irresponsible individual were anarchism that cannot be justified and must be condemned. Therefore, to prevent similar cases from spreading into other regions, including Jember regency, more proactive communication among interfaith figures is important to give enlightenment to the people.

The visit of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to Russia at this time, will probably open up opportunities for further steps to resolve Palestinian- Israel issue. Therefore, whatever the outcome will be, Mahmoud Abbas's visit and his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, is a new chapter in the Palestinian struggle to defend the country's existence and gain world’s recognition through the United Nations. Certainly, in his talks with Vladimir Putin, the Palestinian President will expect an increase in Russia's role in the Palestinian-Israeli issue. It is possible that the Palestinian President,  will ask Vladimir Putin to be a mediator in the Israeli-Palestinian negotiating process, replacing the role of the United States. It is known that the statement of the US President Donald Trump to move its Embassy in Jerusalem, Palestine, countries supporting the Palestinian has cause rejection on Washington as mediator of the negotiations. On the other hand, Mahmoud Abbas will also utilize his meeting with Putin to call for wider Russian support at the UN, to make Palestine become a member of this organization. Until now, in the United Nations, the position of Palestine is merely an observer. Nevertheless, this position is getting stronger, as evidenced by the winning of majority of General Assembly members rejecting the decision of the United States to move its embassy in Jerusalem. The rejection of almost all UN members was made at the recent UN General Assembly session. The question is, will Vladimir Putin accept Mahmoud Abbas's proposal to make Russia become the mediator of the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations? From geopolitical considerations, it is very likely that Russia will meet that demand. Similarly, with the position of Russia in providing support to the Palestinians in the United Nations forum. Russia may be hoping to step up its role in the Middle East, especially in the political map of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This role could encourage the improvement of Russia's position in the Middle East region. But it should be kept in mind, that Russia on the other hand is also one of Israel's important allies. And in politics, anywhere, the idiom of there is no free lunch still prevails. Therefore, by continuously raise support from Russia, the Palestine cannot undermine the support of other nations that have obviously supported it since the beginning of the Palestinian struggle.

In his speech before the participants of the extraordinary meeting of religious leaders at the Presidential Palace, in Bogor, West Java on Saturday (10/2/2018), President Joko Widodo expressed his gratitude to the religious leaders and community leaders. They are considered to have strengthened the harmony of the nation, and are committed to strengthening the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia -NKRI, the state principle of Pancasila, and Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in diversity). Indonesia is a pluralistic country that has people with different ethnic and religious backgrounds. But the pluralism does not make Indonesia split. Indeed, the pluralism itself unites the Indonesian nation. Religious issue and diversity often pose tension in the social life of the community. The presence of a group of fanatics towards a particular religion may result in tension, conflict, violence, and even murder in the name of religion. In addition, ethnic, religious, racial and interreligious issues (SARA) sometimes so quickly spread to various layers of society. As a result, this may create an atmosphere of conflict that is quite dangerous in the life of the nation. The escalation of disputes in the matter of SARA issues often poses violent and distressing conflicts. Indonesia used to undergo conflict in the name of religion. Since the reform era exactly in 1998, Indonesian people have experienced the era of freedom of expression and expression of opinion. At the time, there had been several conflicts in the name of religion. Let’s take for example, the conflict that occurred in Poso, Central Sulawesi in 1998-2000; conflict Ambon, Maluku in 1999; and in South Lampung 2015. Religious conflicts that have occurred in a small part of Indonesia became a historical note for Indonesia. This proves that Indonesia is still very vulnerable to conflicts due to different beliefs. In this regard, the religious leaders must play a major role to reduce the possible conflicts in a bid to strengthen the national unity. In addressing the conflicts with motives of ethnic, religious, racial and interreligious issues (SARA), the religious leaders must play their key role, especially in 2018 on which Indonesia will hold a Regional Head Election (Pilkada) simultaneously, and in 2019, the presidential election will take place. Both of these events are particularly vulnerable to conflicts, especially if some individuals and groups relate to SARA issues. Basically, any conflict may occur not because of different views of beliefs. However, it is caused with the actions of individuals or groups that incite the anger of one other group. Of course, this should be coped with, especially by religious leaders. Because if this is not immediately addressed, the impact not only harms those who are in conflict, but also can threaten the integrity of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI).

The song entitled BHAKTI is an original keroncong song that tells about gratitude for the independence and desire of duty to beloved country. As in the lyrics: in the independence world, I want to fulfill devotion to ask the blessing of GOD to be hearted. The keroncong song which is dedicated beautifully by Ismanto who has a strong and characteristic vocal character. The songs summarized in a golden keroncong album of Ismanto. Not only being talented to sing keroncong, Ismanto also composed keroncong songs sung by other keroncong singers, including Waldjinah with the song entitled "Elinga Bebaja Ing Marga", "Wujung", and etc.

As the title, the song ‘Jauh Dimata Dekat Dihati’ tells about the love story of two lovers who are now seperated. Listener, after 1950, keroncong music has the main place in Indonesia, compared to other music genres. At that time, there came the legendary singers such as Waldjinah, S. Dharmanto, Ping Astono and Ismanto. Waldjinah and Ismanto won the Radio singing contest (Bintang Radio) held by Radio Republik Indonesia (RRI) in 1950. However, there were not many references telling detail about Ismanto's music career in keroncong music world.