VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Festival of  Pacu Jalur of Taluk Kuantan was opened by the Indonesian Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy/Head of the Tourism and Creative Economy Agency (Menparekraf/Kabaparekraf) Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno on 21 August 2022. He has conveyed that the 2022 Festival of  Pacu Jalur of Taluk Kuantan  is expected to be a good momentum for economic revival and job creation for the people of Riau, particularly in Kuantan Singingi Regency, Sumatra Island. In the local language, the word  ‘Jalur’ means “boat”. Pacu Jalur is a rowing race on the river by using a long boat made of wood. The excitement of this festival is a tourism attraction for nomads, local and international tourists and local residents.

Pacu Jalur is the local wisdom of the Kuantan Singingi community. This boat race uses boats with a length of 25 to 40 meters. The history of Pacu Jalur started in the 17th century. The boat was the main means of transportation for villagers in Rantau Kuantan, namely the area along the Kuantan River. At that time, land transportation had not  developed yet. As a result, the boat is used as an important means of transportation for the villagers, mainly used as a means of transporting agricultural products, as well as the main transportation. Afterwards,  the paths are given beautiful carvings, such as carving the heads of snakes, crocodiles, or tigers. This change also marks the development of the function of the pathway to show social identity. Only the figure of the region, and the aristocrats rode the ornate path. Then, time by time, the sea lanes are not only decorated, but also contested. The speed competition event between tracts were then known as Pacu Jalur.

In the Pacu Jalur race, there are about 50 to 60 rowers  in each boat. The number of rowers varies for each boat,  because it is based on the length of the boat. The number of rowers does not guarantee victory, because according to local myths, the victory is determined by the magical power found in the wooden boat and the magic of the handler in controlling the boat. Of the 50 or 60 rowers, there are team members with their own duties, such as the 'concang' who becomes the commander or signal giver, and the 'waistman' who becomes the helmsman. There is also an 'onjai man' who is in charge of giving the rhythm at the steering part and a ' dance worker ' who helps the 'onjai man' in applying pressure so that the boat is balanced. The Pacu Jalur uses a knockout system so that participants who have lost at the beginning are not allowed to play anymore. While the winners will be contested again to be a winner. Unlike other competitions, Paju Jalur starts with a quite unique sign, namely by ringing the cannon three times. This cannon is used so that the sound of the start of the race can be heard, because of the vastness of the runway and the noisy audience watching this typical Kuantan Singingi race.

The Indonesian Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa exhibited some products and culture of Indonesia  at a diplomatic reception in commemoration of the 77th anniversary of Indonesian Independence  on 22 August 2022. On that occasion, various products made by Indonesian companies were showcased, including from PT Indofood Sukses Makmur which displayed its excellent products, Indomie, Kalbe Farma with Woods Cogh Syrup, and PT Pulau Sambu with Kara coconut milk.

The reception was held at the Pretoria Country Club and attended by invitees from the central and provincial government officials of South Africa, diplomatic circles, defense attaches, Indonesian honorary consuls, academicians, as well as the South African business people and Friends of Indonesia. Indonesia's Ad Interim Charge d'Affaires in Pretoria, Victor J. Sambuaga in his remarks conveyed that the moment of celebrating the 77th Indonesian Independence Day this year was grateful to the God's grace because of the easing of the COVID-19 pandemic experienced by all countries in the world, including Indonesia and South Africa.

Besides  Indonesian products, the Indonesian Embassy in Pretoria at the diplomatic reception of the Indonesian Independence Day also promoted Indonesian traditional cultures. One of them was the Klana Topeng dance from Yogyakarta, performed by traditional dancer Anton Prabowo.

Meanwhile, the political functionary of the Indonesian Embassy in Pretoria, Fawzan Irchamsyah hoped that the excitement of the celebration of Indonesia's independence day could also be felt by the partners of the Indonesian government, particularly those who are in Pretoria. The celebration is a stimulus for  all people to be able to quickly rise and become stronger and give birth to a new spirit in a bid to strengthen relations between Indonesia and other friendly countries.

Deputy Minister of Transport for South Africa, Lydia Sindisiwe Chikunga, who attended as the guest of honor at the reception, congratulated the Republic of Indonesia on the 77th independence day and hoped that the close relations of both countries could run well and  continuously.

Indonesian Minister of Cooperatives and Small and Medium, Teten Masduki stated that the quality of  local products for medical devices is getting better if compared with imported ones. He stated this after attending the “Facilitation for the Development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Medical Devices Production”  event in Solo, Central Java  on Saturday (20/8).  He also said that Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises are able to supply the needs of domestic medical devices as well as substitute for imported products.

Furthermore, he calls for everyone to equalize the perception between the needs of the industry and the supply chain provided by business actors. Thus, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises can be directedto produce medical equipment with simple technology, for example, to produce syringes.

According to Minister Teten Masduki, the procurement of government spending in the country has been very good. A number of medical devices that have entered the procurement of goods at the Ministry of Health are  from the production of micro businesses. He further stated that his side will develop research which can be used for medical device development in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Culture. This will be done  through a matching fund program that finances research and development of joint research on campuses, and its products are made by Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.

Moreover, Minister Teten Masduki gave his appreciation to the Ministry of Health that had organized the “Facilitation for the Development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Medical Devices Production” event. He  emphasized that this activity would further encourage collaborative action and cross-sectoral synergy, especially in relation with   President Joko Widodo's directive to increase the absorption of domestic products and reduce imported ones.

He  reminded that the government has determined that 40 percent of government spending must absorb the products of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and cooperatives.The Central Statistics Agency estimates that if that figure is spent, it will increase employment by around two million people and  economic growth by  1.85 percent.

Meanwhile, Minister of Health, Budi Gunadi Sadikin said that so far, about 50-60 percent of medical devices and medicines have come from imported products. He asked for any medical products that can be produced domestically not to be bought from abroad again. If 20 percent of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises make medical equipment, it will really help the domestic economy.

Rector of Muhammadiyah University (Unismuh) Makassar, South Sulawesi, Prof. Ambo Asse received a visit from the United States Cultural Attache, Emily Yasmin Norris accompanied by Rendy Darsonoaji as Alumni Coordinator of the Jakarta Embassy and Chendani Budhi as Chendani as US Education Advisor for Makassar.

In her statement in Makassar last Saturday, August 20, Emily Yasmin Norris revealed that her visit was aimed at monitoring the US Education Cooperation and its partners in Indonesia. The cooperation activities in the form of training, workshops, coaching and mentoring have been carried out since 2018 between Unismuh Makassar and US Education.

In addition, the US diplomat wants to expand opportunities for Unismuh students and lecturers to study in the U.S. A.

Emily added that her side opens wide opportunities for the Unismuh Makassar academic community to access the information offered, including e-libraries for research needs.

Prof. Ambo Asse welcomed the invitation. It is very open to encourage students and lecturers to continue their education to the United States. He also introduced that Unismuh has 7 faculties and 1 postgraduate program, and has 50 study programs.

Deputy Rector I, Dr Abd Rakhim Nanda remarked that Unismuh also manages international classes in several study programs. This year, they foster 6 international students from Thailand, Malaysia, and Palestine.

Dr. Rakhim also stated that Unismuh is ready if the United States Embassy wants to open an American Corner in Makassar.

Hearing this response, Prof. Emily was very happy. She hopes that the collaboration with Unismuh Makassar can continue and grow.