VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesian Ambassador to South Korea, Umar Hadi received an honorary citizen title of Seoul City at the inauguration ceremony held at Seoul City Hall on Wednesday (2/6). When pinning the honor badge, Mayor of Seoul, Oh Se–hoon explained that the award was given for the contribution of Ambassador Umar Hadi to the development of Seoul City. Besides, the award was given because Ambassador Umar Hadi had become a role model for citizens of both countries and other foreigners.

Ambassador Umar Hadi is the first Indonesian Ambassador who received the title. He is also considered to have played a major role in increasing economic cooperation between Indonesia and South Korea, especially in investing South Korean giant companies into Indonesia, deepening cultural exchanges between the two countries and  strengthening people-to-people contacts  between  Indonesia and South Korea, especially with residents of  Seoul City. Ambassador Umar Hadi in his remarks expressed his hope that the award can be a supporter for the ranks of the Indonesian Embassy in Seoul to improve their performance in increasing relations of both countries. 

Several world figures who have received the title of Honorary Citizen of  Seoul City are  the former United States Ambassador to South Korea, Christopher R. Hill in 2005; South Korean-loving Chinese actor Jacky Chan in 1999; Indonesian President Joko Widodo in 2016; Estonian President Kersti Kalijulaid in 2018; former Chinese Ambassador to South Korea, Qiu Guohong, in 2019; and King of Spain King Felipe VI (sixth)  in 2019.

The figures who received the honorary title will be given the opportunity to participate in many events organized by the Seoul Metropolitan City Government and the Administrative Government under its supervision. Moreover, the recipients of the award are also given the privilege to access various facilities in Seoul City. The process of awarding the title of Honorary Citizen of Seoul City is carried out through a very strict committee selection.  In 2021, the Indonesian Ambassador was the first one who received the title after being proposed by the Mayor of Seoul and obtaining approval by the Seoul City council.

Indonesia is one of the countries with the richest biodiversity in the world. Before the era of independence, European countries competed to occupy Indonesia for spices. In Indonesian culture, spices have been used by Indonesian ancestors as medicines. Today, spices are still the people's choice as ingredients for preparations that aim to maintain health, including students from the State University of Malang (UM) who process a number of plants into infused water beverage products.

The Malang State University team succeeded in making Nutrofin which is an innovative product of infused water by using several Indonesian plants as basic ingredients, such as red galangal, noni, key lime, and blue pea flower. Nutrofin contains the active compound scopoletin which has several functions, such as anti-virus and lowering blood pressure. The combination of active compounds contained in the basic ingredients of Nutrofin is expected to have two main functions, namely improving blood circulation and lowering cholesterol.

This innovation from UM students attains achievements in international events. At the Malaysia Young Scientist and Exhibition (MYSCE) 2021, they won a silver medal in the Food Technology category. In addition, in the Nigerian Organization for Creativity, Innovation, and Invention Promotion (OCIIP) IP World Fair 2021 competition, they won a gold medal in the Food and Health category. This award also proves that Indonesian plants and spices are very efficacious in treating diseases.

As the world is dealing with Covid-19, AFP news agency on Friday (4/6/2021) reported that at least 40 countries, including countries in East and South Africa are now on track to achieve a 90-percent reduction in AIDS-related deaths by 2030. In a report, the Joint United Nations Program on HIV and AIDS said that 37.6 million people worldwide were living with HIV in 2020. Of that total, 27.4 million, or more than three times the number in 2010, received treatment. A condition that is quite encouraging and makes one optimistic that AIDS can be conquered by 2030. As an epidemic disease that destroys the immune system, it is hoped that AIDS can be controlled by 2030. Currently, the number of patients and deaths has decreased. According to the BBC, Thursday (July 17, 2014), the United Nations Aids Agency said that to reduce the rate of the spread of AIDS, further international efforts and cooperation were needed. The steps being taken now have not been able to end the spread of the disease yet.

What needs to be a concern now is how to keep the spirit of overcoming AIDS from being hampered in the current state of the Covid-19 pandemic. The AIDS-free target by 2030 that has been proclaimed must be secured in a pandemic. In fact, amid the coronavirus pandemic like now, a strong immune system is needed. Of course, this is a challenge for AIDS sufferers.

Whether people with HIV and AIDS are more susceptible to Covid-19 is actually still being studied. Citing the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the risk of Covid-19 for everyone is the same, including those who have or do not have HIV. People of all ages who have serious medical conditions may be at higher risk of developing severe illness because they have a weak immune system. Thus, the risk of people with HIV/AIDS being infected with the corona virus is very large. It is hoped that with comprehensive steps amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the AIDS-free target by 2030 can be achieved.

Voice of Indonesia presents Let’s Speak Indonesian, a program that introduces the Indonesian vocabulary and guides you to speak in the language. Mari Berbahasa Indonesia or Let’s Speak Indonesian is a joint initiative of Voice of Indonesia and the Language Development Agency of the Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture.  Today’s topic is still about Sakit which means Sick. 

Here is the conversation entitled Coba tarik napas!which means Try to Inhale! This dialog is between Kevin and a doctor at a clinic. The doctor asks Kevin to open his mouth to be checked.

Let’s read to the conversation.

Having listened to the conversation, now I am going to introduce some vocabulary and expressions related to the topic of the day.

In the dialog, you listen to the doctor’s instruction to Kevin, Coba tarik napas! (2x) which means Try to inhale! In the imperative sentence, there is the word coba (2x) which mean try. It is used to sound more polite.

Let’s listen to another example of instruction using the word coba.

Dokter   : Coba buka mulut Bapak which means Try to open your mouth

Kevin     : Baik which means Alright

Besides the word coba (2x) which means try, the word tolong (2x) which means please can be used to be more polite. However, the word tolong (2x) which means please is used to ask someone else to do something for us. For example, tolong tutup pintunya! (2x) which means close the door, please!

That was “Let’s Speak Indonesian” for today. Hopefully, this edition can be useful for those of you who want to know more about Indonesian language.