VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Bank Indonesia and Bank of Thailand launched a cross-border quick response (QR) payment system between Indonesia and Thailand in order to facilitate financial and economic transactions between the two countries. The pre-official launching of the international QRIS was held in Jakarta on Tuesday (17/08). On the occasion, Governor of Bank Indonesia, Perry Warjiyo thanked the Bank of Thailand because they have jointly realized the two countries' dream to connect the Quick Response Code Indonesian Standard (QRIS) and QR Thailand Standard to bring the economy forward.

Governor Perry said that with the cross-border QR, consumers and sellers in both countries can perform and accept instant payments for goods and services. Perry also stated that the pre-official launching of the cross-border QRIS is also a historical moment for Indonesia. This shows that Indonesia cannot stand alone. Instead, Indonesia must synergize and help each other for the nation's advancement.

At this stage, Indonesian users can use the cellular payment app to scan the Thailand QR codes. While Thailand users can also use their own apps to scan the QRIS. This is the first connection that links retail payment system operators in the two countries. So, this becomes a milestone in the ASEAN Payment Connectivity initiatives that aims to promote financial integrity in the region.

In this pre-official phase, Bank Indonesia hopes that there will be more banks and non-banks that participate while processing to the full commercial phase to be launched in the first quarter of 2022. Later, the service will be expanded to allow the users in two countries to perform a real-time fund transfer easily just by referring to the recipient's phone number.

After 20 years of war, the Taliban managed to wrest power from the Afghan government, which is strongly backed by the United States and its allies. The world was flabbergasted. Some are even trying to digest the fact that Kabul has fallen into the hands of the Taliban. Some are pessimistic about the future of Afghanistan, but others are trying to be realistic.

Since Monday 16 August 2021, the day after the Taliban occupied Kabul, the group has continued to try to change its political style and shift from physical combat to diplomacy. The Taliban continue to try to convince the world of the legitimacy of their rule.

Quoting ANTARA / at a press conference / Taliban's main spokesman Zahibullah Muhajid asked the international community to recognize their rule over Afghanistan. Muhajid also made many promises, including that everyone would be forgiven even those who had worked with the previous government or with foreign governments. The Taliban also promised to respect women's rights but within the norms of Islamic law.

The question is, will the Taliban change and fulfill its promises?

US President Joe Biden said the Taliban would never change, especially regarding the group's basic principles. Although the Taliban vowed to implement a more open government and guarantee women's rights, Biden is pessimistic that the group can implement a democratic system in Afghanistan. Biden insists that economic and diplomatic pressure, not military force, is needed to ensure the Taliban protect and guarantee women's rights in Afghanistan.

The concern of the Afghan people over the rule of the Taliban is very understandable, given the past history. Not only the Afghan people, the world also asks the Taliban to show through concrete actions, not only promises and statements. So they can dispel the fear of many people about the guarantee of freedom and security in the country.

If Biden is pessimistic, then UNICEFF is not. The UN agency which deals with aid for children around the world, is optimistic that it can cooperate with the Taliban, especially in supporting education for children and women.

The Taliban are currently in the euphoria of victory and will continue to speak in an idealistic setting. But they should not only promise. The words must be realized in order to be able to create a positive image that is far from violence. So that they can get recognition and support of the international community.

President Joko Widodo symbolically released exports of agricultural products from 17 Indonesian export gates from Bogor Palace, West Java on August 14, 2021. The release of exports entitled "Freedom of Exports" was also attended by Indonesian Minister of Agriculture, Syahrul Yasin Limpo from the Tanjung Perak container terminal, Surabaya, East Java. The total value of exports of Indonesian agricultural products to 61 countries including China is Rp 7.29 trillion.

In his remarks, President Joko Widodo said that agriculture is one sector that can survive amid a pandemic situation. He emphasized that Indonesia's agricultural products can continue to be pushed to non-traditional markets. Meanwhile, Minister Syahrul Yasin in his speech said that investment and exports are key to accelerating the achievement of national economic recovery.

The event was also attended by Indonesian Ambassador to China, Djauhari Oratmangun along with the Indonesian Consulate General (KJRI) Shanghai, the Indonesian Trade Promotion Center (ITPC) Shanghai, and representatives of Chinese importers, namely the Chairman of the China Agriculture Wholesale Market Association (CAWA), Zengjun Ma. and CEO of Yan Ty Group, Ms. Lily.

In a dialogue session with Minister Syahrul Yasin, Ambassador Djauhari Oratmangun said that based on Chinese Customs’ data, the performance of Indonesia's exports to China, especially the agricultural sector for 2020 and the first semester of 2021, experienced a significant increase. In 2020, the export value of Indonesian agricultural products to China reached US$828.12 million dollars, equivalent to Rp 11.9 trillion, or grew by 86.95 percent compared to the total export value in 2019. As for the first semester of 2021, the total export value of Indonesian agricultural products to China has reached US$400.03 million dollars, or around Rp 5.7 trillion. The export grew 41.04 percent compared to the total export value in the first semester of 2020.

As reported by the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Monday (16/8), the Indonesian Embassy in Beijing continues to hold promotions both offline and online in a bid to increase exports of Indonesian products. Promotions are also carried out through digital platforms and online business meetings as well as through various marketplaces in China.

Right after celebrating Independence Day, Indonesians commemorate Constitution Day every August 18. Back in 1945, after proclaiming independence, Indonesians announced the birth of the 1945 Constitution as the legal basis for the country. The 1945 Constitution is the highest law in Indonesia where almost all legal products always refer to the contents of the 1945 Constitution. The journey of the 1945 Constitution is quite long in the history of the Indonesian state.It was amended the first time during the reformation era, after the New Order fell in 1999. Many later wanted the 1945 Constitution to be changed back into its original version.

Chairperson of the People's Consultative Assembly –MPR, Bambang Soesatyo in the Constitution Day commemoration on Wednesday (18/8) said although the position and authority of the MPR had changed a lot, the soul of this institution that was created by the nation's founders must not change. Therefore, the Assembly must keep bridging people's aspirations from all regions and prioritizing political ethics, by always trying to create a harmony among socio-political powers and groups of interests to justly achieve national advancement.

Meanwhile, Speaker of the House of Representatives –DPR, Puan Maharani said that the 1945 Constitution is the highest law and basis for all state administrators in decision making. It contains the guarantee for the constitutional rights of all citizens, including the health and economic rights during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The 1945 Constitution has been amended four times. One of the fundamental changes was the position of People's Consultative Assembly, that now can only inaugurate the president and vice president elected by the people.

Despite the amendment, four pillars of the nation: the 1945 Constitution, Pancasila, Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia, and Unity in Diversity or Bhinneka Tunggal Ika are non-negotiable. They are the main soul of every Indonesian. Indonesians must also remember that one of the goals of gaining independence is to achieve people's prosperity and social justice. Therefore, the 1945 Constitution gives authority for the state or the government to do something in order to achieve the prosperity and justice.