VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The XX Papua National Sports Week (PON) which took place from October 2-15 has been officially closed by Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia, Ma'ruf Amin. At Lukas Enembe Stadium, Jayapura, Papua, on Friday night (15/10), he expressed his highest appreciation for the implementation of the largest sports event in Indonesia which has run safely, smoothly and successfully. VP Ma'ruf Amin who was accompanied by Minister of Youth and Sports, Zainudin Amali also expressed his gratitude to the Papuan people for being warm hosts for contingents from other regions in Indonesia. Based on the history of the implementation of the National Sports Week, PON XX Papua is the first largest national-scale sporting event ever held in Papua. However, Papua is considered successful not only in organizing activities but also in making sports achievements by being in the top four of the standings from previously ranked eight at the XIX National Sports Week in 2016.

In his remarks, Vice President Ma’ruf Amin also emphasized that the success of Papua has proven that Papua is not only rich in natural resources, but also full of talented athletes. This will bring progress and prosperity to Papua. According to VP Ma'ruf Amin, the success of PON XX Papua also reflects the strength of the unity and integrity of the Indonesian nation which must be maintained together.

On this occasion, VP Ma'ruf Amin also congratulated all athletes, officials and supporters for the proud achievement of this XX PON, in particular the success of breaking several sports records at both national and international levels.

Meanwhile, Minister Zainudin Amali disclosed that there were around 90 national records which were broken from the branches of Athletics, Swimming, Shooting, Weightlifting, and Diving. Most of the records are included in the leading sports branches of the Great Design of National Sports which have been prepared by the Ministry of Youth and Sports along with sports stakeholders as guidelines for fostering national sports achievements.

The Grand Design of National Sports has been signed by President Joko Widodo at the Commemoration of the 38th National Sports Day on September 9, 2021. The goal is to improve sports culture in the community, enhance capacity, synergy, and productivity of national sports achievements and promote a sports-based national economy. With the Great Design of National Sports, regional governments will be able to focus more on coaching in certain sports. Good and continuous coaching is expected to be able to make achievements with new records both at national and international levels, as has been achieved at PON XX Papua. It is even targeted that Indonesia can occupy the 5th position in the 2044 Olympics and Paralympics.

If someday you would like to travel to Indonesia, just taste Indonesian typical food  from many regions. If you travel to Riau Province, just try to enjoy Bolu Kemejo, because it feels incomplete if you visit Riau without enjoying Bolu Kemejo. The food is shaped like a frangipani flower and is green in color. It tastes sweet  and has a slight eggy aroma. The texture is soft and melty in the mouth.

Bolu Kemejo is made from wheat flour, butter, sugar, and eggs. The green color comes from suji leaf water mixed with pandan leaf water, and it is not artificial coloring. The original Bolu Kemojo  is made by traditional steaming to produce a typical aroma. Because Bolu Kemojo is made without artificial preservatives, it doesn't last long. If used for souvenirs, at least  it can only last about five to seven days with proper storage.

The word Kemejo in the local language means Cambodia. This typical cake of Riau is named Kemejo, because it looks like a Cambodian flower. Normally, this cake is present in various Riau traditional events. The making of Bolu Kemejo involves many people working together, because it needs a lot of  Bolu Kemojo in many traditional events. Now, Bolu Kemojo can be enjoyed not only during traditional events, but also every day. Usually, this dish is enjoyed as a snack in the afternoon with hot tea. From time by time,  Bolu Kemejo has various flavors, such as chocolate, durian, corn, banana, and dragon fruit. The price is quite cheap from  Rp 15.000 to Rp 25.000 per  baking piece.

The popularity of Korean dramas or K-drama makes Korean fashion or K-Fashion popular in Indonesia. But in South Korea, Indonesian traditional clothing was also introduced. Balinese bridal attire was exhibited at the Indonesian Pavilion at the Multicultural Museum in Seoul, South Korea. The Indonesian Pavilion is the result of collaboration between the Indonesian Embassy in Seoul and the Multicultural Museum through an exhibition themed "When K-Fashion Meets Traditional Fashion".

Director of the Multicultural Museum, Mr. Yun-Tae Kim said that the Indonesian pavilion was very special. The colorful and sacred Balinese wedding attire attracted the eyes and hearts of every visitor. When opening the Indonesian Pavilion, Wednesday (13/10), Ad Interim Charge d'Affaires of the Indonesian Embassy in Seoul, Zelda Wulan Kartika explained that the charm of the cultural beauty of the island of Bali can be seen from the wedding dresses on display. She hopes that every visitor who comes and sees this exhibition will be more interested in traveling to Bali and other tourism attractions in Indonesia. 

This Balinese wedding dress exhibition is one of the efforts of the Indonesian Embassy in Seoul to continue to promote Indonesian tourism and cultural arts to South Korean citizens. This effort was made even amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The opening of the Indonesian Pavilion was held in line with the Indonesian Government's plan to reopen the island of Bali for foreign tourists, including from South Korea. The provision of the grand wedding dress from Puri Denpasar Bali was supported by Indonesian Minister of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection, Madam Bintang Puspayoga. The entire exhibition preparation was carried out through a virtual meeting by involving Madam Agung, a traditional Balinese culture proponent in Denpasar City.

ASEAN's efforts to mediate the conflict in Myanmar are running very slowly, it can even be said to be running in place. Since the ASEAN leaders' meeting, April 24, in Jakarta, none of the five agreed points of consensus have been implemented, except for the appointment of a special envoy. In fact, considering the attitude of junta leader Min Aung Hlaing, the implementation of the consensus was like meeting a hard wall.

The five points of consensus to maintain Myanmar's stability have clearly been violated by the Myanmar Junta. The consensus is First, violence must stop immediately in Myanmar and all parties must exercise full restraint. Second, the leaders agreed to hold a constructive dialogue among all interested parties in Myanmar. Third, ASEAN will send a special envoy who will facilitate mediation and the process. dialogue with the assistance of the Secretary General of ASEAN. Fourth, ASEAN will provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Myanmar through the AHA Centre. Fifth, special envoys and ASEAN delegations will visit Myanmar to meet with all relevant parties.

Instead of implementing the agreed consensus, upon arrival in Naypyidaw, the junta leader Min Aung Hlaing turned around. Instead, he applied his own conditions for the implementation of the five consensus. One of them is that the junta will implement the five consensus if the political and security situation has recovered according to its self-determined measure.

Reuters news agency, Thursday (14/10/2021), said the ASEAN Special Envoy for Myanmar Erywan Yusof said the military's failure to act according to the five-point plan was 'akin to a setback'. Erywan Yusof was even barred from meeting with Suu Kyi, who is an important figure in Myanmar's political turmoil.

Regarding the deterioration of the situation in Myanmar, ASEAN foreign ministers convened virtually, Friday 15 October 2021. The meeting discussed the exclusion of Myanmar's junta leader, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, from the upcoming ASEAN summit. Hopefully, this can be a punishment and harsh criticism for the non-implementation of the five consensus, which ASEAN leaders set in April.

The crisis in Myanmar is very protracted. The intervention of the United Nations, and big powers like the United States and China is needed to address it. This includes countries that support ASEAN's steps in seeking a diplomatic solution. In recent months, pressure has been increasing on ASEAN regarding the need for tougher and firmer measures against Myanmar.

Myanmar has been in political and economic paralysis since the February 1 military coup. This condition triggered an outpouring of anger and protests within the country. Some civilians have even formed militias to confront the powerful army.