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February
The Asia-Pacific region is increasingly a concern for the United States to expand its arms marketing network. Similar attention is also made by West European countries that produce weapons, including Italy. For that purpose, Washington seems to apply two approaches, namely diplomacy and trade. Efforts to expand the US arms market are visible from the US arms manufacturers’ plan to participate in an international arms exhibition to be be held in Singapore. The reason Washington is expanding the marketing of weapons production in Asia Pacific, especially in Asia, can be seen from at least two points. First, there is an interest of some Asian countries in equipping themselves with more weaponry, and the second point is the expansion of China's influence in the Asia Pacific region. Various security issues at home and in the region, at least, become the reason for some Asian countries to strengthen their defense, such as from the armaments side.Singapore and the Philippines, for example, seem to increasingly feel the need to improve weaponry in connection with the continued strengthening of terrorism issues in Southeast Asia. In another perspective, Japan also feels an interest in strengthening its defense. This is related to the US plan to reduce its role in the Japanese defense. Japan itself feels quite concerned about North Korean maneuvers, which repeatedly conducted missile tests and sometimes, the missile seems to be heading toward Japan. Vietnam is also one of the countries in Asia that feels the need to improve security and defense, especially in the maritime area. The frequent occurrence of Chinese maneuvers in the disputed South China Sea makes Vietnam feel the need to strengthen its arsenal in the region. In terms of defense approaches, the United States also needs to keep pacing with China's strategic and assertive measures. Meanwhile, Italy as one of the arms manufacturers in West Europe also sees the same opportunities as the United States. Although the reason may be about more business than politics. In such a perspective, it can be seen that both the United States and West Europe feel the need to take strategic steps and approaches to expand their arms trade in the Asia Pacific region.
February
Indonesia is a country that lives in diversity, having more than 1,100 regional languages, 714 tribes and six official religions, namely Islam, Catholicism, Protestantism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Confucianism. This diversity and difference, of course, requires a sense of mutual understanding. Otherwise, it will lead to friction that sometimes triggers disunity.
Islam becomes the majority religion, with the number of believers in Indonesia reaching 88 percent. However, this does not mean that Islam controls all aspects of socio-political life, nation and state. Muslims in Indonesia are very concerned about harmony among religious followers and they have a high tolerance of other faiths.
So far, Islamic scholars or ulamas are considered very instrumental in maintaining harmony and diversity in Indonesia. Throughout the history of the founding of Indonesia, they have been able to maintain the unity of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia -NKRI. Their contribution in maintaining unity is also unquestionable. It is not surprising that President Joko Widodo in his speech at Haul Majemuk Masyayikh at Pesantren (Ponpes) Salafiyah Syafi'iyah Sukorejo, Situbondo, East Java on Saturday (03 Feb), said that the preservation of Indonesia's diversity is due to the major role of the ulamas.
The role of the ulamas became a decisive factor in several heroic events prior to and after the proclamation of Indonesian independence. Ahead of the proclamation of independence, the involvement of KH Abdul Wahid Hasyim, the founder of Nahdlatul Ulama, Indonesia's largest Islamic organization, in the Preparatory Committee for Indonesian Independence (PPKI) has an important meaning in maintaining cultural, ethnic and even religious diversity. The tough debate about the Jakarta Charter at that time could be solved well, because of its broad Islamic views, without having to be trapped in the formalization of religious teachings.
In addition, after the proclamation, when there were many separatists in various regions in Indonesia, who want to separate themselves from the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia, Islamic scholars have played a major role in maintaining, and upholding Indonesia’s unity.
Indonesia is a country with belief in one God, humanity, and a sense of unity and it always tries to solve problems through deliberation, and social justice. It is the duty of the Indonesian nation to keep the state based on Pancasila and the 1945 Constitutions ass mandated by the founders of the nation who have struggled to fight for the sovereignty of the nation and the state in the sense of ‘Bhinneka Tunggal Ika’ or Unity in Diversity’.
February
The topic of MY INDONESIA today is “Indonesia and Cambodia agree to promote bilateral cooperation.”
Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno L.P. Marsudi held a bilateral meeting with Cambodian Minister of Foreign and International Cooperation, Prak Sokhonn in Jakarta on Friday (2/2). At the meeting, Indonesia and Cambodia agreed to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries, including trade and investment, tourism and regional cooperation. To strengthen the bilateral mechanism, Minister Retno Marsudi expressed Indonesia's commitment to hold the 4th Joint Commission Meeting of Indonesia-Cambodia as the main bilateral forum to encourage the improvement of bilateral relations, in particular the implementation of commitments and agreements between the two countries. In the economy, the two Ministers recorded a positive growth in the value of bilateral trade between the two countries, with trade values of 492.75 million dollars in the period from January to November 2017 compared to the previous year of $400.01 million dollars. Meanwhile, Indonesia's investment value in Cambodia reached approximately $350 million dollars in 2016, covering areas such as culinary, housing, transportation, and infrastructure. Minister Retno also said that there is considerable potential for Indonesia to establish cooperation in the field of health products.
As both countries have a number of world heritage sites, Indonesia and Cambodia are committed to enhancing tourism and culture cooperation, such as through sister temple cooperation between Angkor Wat and Borobudur Temple. Meanwhile, Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn said that he was present in Jakarta to reaffirm the common desire to further promote friendly relations and close cooperation between the two countries.
Minister Retno Marsudi said that during the meeting, Cambodia also expressed interest to improve cooperation and investment in pharmaceutical sector with Indonesia and invited Indonesian pharmaceutical companies to invest to Cambodia.
On regional issues, the two Ministers view the need for more concrete cooperation among ASEAN member countries. In terms of peace and security in the South China Sea region, the two Ministers view positively the adoption of the Code of Conduct -the COC for the South China Sea formulated in August 2017. The two Ministers also hoped that the COC negotiation is scheduled to be held in March 2018 went well. The two ministers also discussed the preparation agenda for the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Cambodia which will be commemorated next year. This is the first visit for Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn to Indonesia since he was inaugurated in April 2016. In addition to holding bilateral meetings with Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, Cambodian Foreign Minister also paid a courtesy call to Vice President Jusuf Kalla.
February
Diplomatic Corner
The first information is that the United States of America - Indonesia explore cooperation on Halal certificate.
The United States of America‘s Trade Department wants to explore cooperation with the Ministry of Religious Affairs n in Halal Certificate. This was stated by Deputy Assistant of the US Trade Department for Asia, Diane Farrell when visiting the Ministry of Religious Affairs recently.
Diane Farrel was received by Head of the Halal Product Security Guarantee Board, Sukoso and also his staffs. Diane wanted to make sure that the US products have been suitable with standard, in accordance with existing law when the process of halal certification has been officially conducted by the Board.
Responding to the case, Head of the Board, Sukoso said that the Halal Product Security Guarantee Board will officially operate on October 17, 2019. He also explained that his office is preparing the steps of halal certification and technological information system which supports halal certification. Sukoso also said that his office is intensively introducing the Board to the stakeholders and arrange the plan of memorandum of Understanding -MoU with the countries which market their products in Indonesia.
The MoU with other countries is much needed, because the system and standard of halal products in certain country is different from the system and standard of halal which is used in Indonesia. Sukoso further said, that in addition to the labeling of halal, non-halal product is also required to attach non-halal label. This is aimed to protect the consumers. He views that if non-halal label is not listed on product’s package, it will make consumers confused because not all consumers understand the terms which are listed on product’s composition.
The next information is that Gadjah Mada University Vocation and Jeonju Volunteer Center of South Korea strengthen cooperation in culture.
The Vocational School of Gadjah Mada University and Jeonju Volunteer Center of South Korea have strengthened cooperation in social and cultural field recently. The strengthening was implemented through the signature of MoU. The signing was conducted by Dean of the University, Wikan Sakarinto and Director of the Center, Park Jeong Seok at the Vocational School of Gadjah Mada University. The cooperation was initiated by Diploma-3 program of Korean language of the University which was addressed to increase volunteer’s culture.
Previously, the social organization focused on children throughout the world and the Gadjah Mada University had run cooperation in similar field. Last year, there was social action at Patuk II Elementary School, Gunungkidul regency. For two weeks, students of Jeonju Volunteer Center’s volunteers renovated school infrastructure and taught Korean culture and language to students. Wikan Sakarinto appreciated the cooperation which was conducted by Vocational School of Gadjah Mada University and Jeonju Volunteer Center of South Korea. Wikan also hoped that the next cooperation which has been agreed by both sides, can be developed.
We end Diplomatic Corner with the news on the Indonesian embassy in Seoul holds writing competition.
The writing competition is oriented for more Indonesian students in Indonesia and South Korea. Beginning early February, the competition will be closed at the end of February. Meanwhile, the prize will be distributed in March. The Indonesian Ambassador to Korea, Umar Hadi said that based on the regulation, the winner of the competition, who lives in South Korea, will be given tour package to Bali. Meanwhile, the winner, who lives in Indonesia, is provided a visit package to South Korea.
The theme of the competition is "To Interpret special strategic partnership in Indonesian and South Korean relations". As it is known, at the visit of South Korean president to Jakarta at the end of last year, the relations of the two countries was improved through 'Strategic Partnership' which was initiated in 2006 to become 'Special Strategic Partnership'. The competition is conducted in the frame of President Joko Widodo’s visit to South Korea which is scheduled this year.