VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in London, England for the second time participated in the London Coffee Festival (LCF) 2021 after previous participation in 2019. Taking advantage of the momentum for the reopening of various industrial sectors and British MICE after the lockdown, the Indonesian Embassy carried the jargon “London is open again… Indonesian coffee is back". In accordance with the strict new normal protocol at LCF, the Indonesian Embassy in collaboration with Bank Indonesia London, the Ministry of Trade and the Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises presented the Indonesian Pavilion at LCF which is full of natural nuances with the theme “Sustainable Farming”.  The Indonesian Pavilion presents 3 MSME coffee producers from different regions, namely Java Frinsa Estate from West Java with Frinsa Honey Sacharic, Radjea Coffee (Jambi) with Kerinci Arabica coffee, and KAA Sapan Berjaya (Toraja) which presents Sapan-Toraja Arabica coffee. This year's LCF was held at Old Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, London on 23-26 September 2021. LCF is the largest coffee exhibition event in Europe which this year was attended by around 250 exhibitors and was attended by 20 thousand visitors ranging from roasters, importers, wholesalers, café owners, to coffee lovers.

The Indonesian Pavilion was officially opened at the Expo 2020 event in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). The inauguration of the pavilion was carried out by Minister of Trade, Muhammad Lutfi and Minister of State for Foreign Trade of the United Arab Emirates, Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, last Friday. This was also witnessed by Indonesian Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, H.E Husin Bagis. The opening of the Indonesian Pavilion showed Indonesia's readiness to showcase the country's various advantages and potentials to attract the world's attention. The opening ceremony was enlivened by cultural performances from Bali and East Nusa Tenggara, as representations of eastern Indonesia, as well as Bengkulu and Java as representations of West Indonesia.

Today October 5, 2021, The Indonesian Armed Forces –TNI commemorates its 76th anniversary. A lot of challenges and successes have been passed by the TNI. This year, Indonesia's military strength is ranked 16th in the world based on Global Firepower data. The TNI's capabilities have also long been recognized by the world. Indonesia regularly takes part in the United Nations peacekeeping force in conflict countries. Domestically, the TNI along with elements from other countries has been working hard to help the community face the Covid-19 pandemic. The TNI has played a major role from the establishment of Covid-19 hospitals to vaccination programs throughout Indonesia. In such a situation, the TNI has succeeded in growing people's trust as an institution that protects them.

At the age of 76, the TNI continues to modernize its defense equipment according to the demands of the times. However, Indonesia still adheres to the agreement of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations -ASEAN, which is to maintain the ASEAN region as a nuclear-weapon-free area. But, the principle appears to be facing challenges nowadays. Mid last month, the United States, Britain and Australia formed the Australia, UK and US -AUKUS defense pact. The pact includes elements of cyber warfare, artificial intelligence, underwater capabilities and nuclear technology. Under the AUKUS agreement, Australia will receive assistance from the United States and Britain to develop nuclear-powered submarines.

The formation of this pact surprises countries in the ASEAN region, because this pact is regarded as not in line with nuclear non-proliferation commitments or promises not to make or deploy nuclear weapons. Of course, Indonesia is worried about this development. Moreover, this pact was formed by three major countries. Indonesia Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi said that AUKUS could trigger tensions between major countries. Indonesia does not want the possibility of an increased arms race that could threaten regional security stability.

Meanwhile, there will soon be a change in the TNI Commander. Chief of TNI, Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto will soon get retired. The issue of possible tensions in the region is expected to be the attention of the new TNI Chief. The attitude of the TNI Chief towards the development of regional security is quite essential to maintain the integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia.

Happy 76th Anniversary of the TNI! Hopefully, the TNI will remain victorious and be able to maintain security both at home and in the region.

The 20th National Sports Week (PON) was officially opened by President Joko Widodo at the Lukas Enembe Stadium, Jayapura Regency, Papua on Saturday night (2/10). In his speech, the President expressed his pride of Lukas Enembe being in the best stadium in Asia Pacific. He also called on the public, especially the participants to celebrate PON XX with joy, uphold sportsmanship, strengthen brotherhood, togetherness, equality, and national unity.

The Head of State also emphasized that the multi-event sports week which was held for the first time in Papua proves that the infrastructure is ready to use in Papua. The magnificence of the Lukas Enembe Stadium is not the only symbol of progress in Papua. According to President Joko Widodo, sea, land and air connectivity, as well as the construction of airports, ports, highways, as well as the development of Papua's human resources are other very proud achievements.

The biggest sporting event in Indonesia, which will last until October 15, is being  attended by more than 6,400 athletes accompanied by 3,000 coaches from all over Indonesia. A total of 37 sports branches  and 56 sports disciplines are contested in newly built or renovated venues with a huge enough budget. It is only natural that President Joko Widodo, when inaugurating the venues for the matches, asked all parties, especially the regional and provincial governments of Papua to properly care for, maintain and utilize the venues at the 20th National Sports Week (PON) later on. The President does not want the sports facilities that have been built with huge funds and with international standards to become a lonely and unkempt place.

The availability of new and international-class sports facilities and infrastructure in Papua and other places in Indonesia must, of course, be used for screening and training so as to produce quality and accomplished athletes. Placing 4th in the 2018 Asian Games is the highest achievement ever made by Indonesia in a multi-event sporting event. But, this is certainly not the pinnacle of achievement. It is hoped that continuous screening and coaching will be able to produce outstanding athletes at both national and international levels.

The Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and UNDP had inaugurated 23 "Energy Patriots" who will help the people in lighting-up their villages with solar power plants. It was stated by the ministry's Director for Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Infrastructure Planning and Development Hendra Iswahyudi in a press release on Sunday.

Hendra said these "energy patriots" have the experience in guiding the people. This includes supporting the people during the solar power plant construction, solar power plant asset handover from the Energy & Mineral Resources Ministry to village government, the selection, training, and certification of local operators, the forming of village power manager unit, and village economy potential mapping.

The patriots will work for 18 months as facilitators in 23 villages in East Nusa Tenggara, Southeast Sulawesi, West Sulawesi, and Central Kalimantan. 

They are also part of the Accelerating Clean Energy to Reduce Inequality (ACCESS), a joint project between UNDP and Indonesian Energy & Mineral Resources Ministry supported by Korea International Cooperation Agency (Koica). The main goal of ACCESS is providing electricity from renewable energy, especially solar power, to remote villages in Indonesia and Timor Leste.

Meanwhile, UNDP Indonesia's Deputy Resident Representative Sophie Kemkhadze said ACCESS is a part of the effort in promoting renewable energy. This project is in line with Indonesia's target to increase the renewable energy in the national energy mix into 23 percent by 2025. Seven of these patriots are women and they also represent the young generation, who will bring an innovative and interesting process in their advocacy.

Previously, the ministry's Director for Renewable Energy Chrisnawan Anditya said there are three factors as the basis for the government in accelerating the solar power plant. The three factors are great potential, quick installation, and more competitive price compared to some times ago.