VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesia is cooperating with Eygiptian Red Crescent to distribute humanitarian aid to Gaza, the Palestine. This cooperation is to facilitate the process of channeling aid through the Rafah entrance in Sinai Province, Egypt, which is under the control of local authorities. Minister Counselor for Political Function of the Indonesian Embassy in Cairo, Sonny Sasongko, on Saturday, June 16th affirmed the Government of Indonesia always supports the Palestinian struggle for independence. One of the steps considered urgent is channeling of humanitarian aid amid volatile Palestinian situations in recent weeks. Sonny Sasongko said the Rafah border is the only access from Egypt to distribute aid to Gaza, and to cross the border required coordination with the local Government.

"Indonesia always supports the struggle for Palestinian independence. For that Indonesia also must strive to alleviate the burden suffered by most of the Palestinian people especially in the occupied areas like in Gaza. In this case the Indonesian government has assigned the Indonesian Embassy in Cairo to open access to Gaza through Sinai Province to distribute Humanitarian aid. Indonesia has met with several parties here including Egypt's Red Crescent.", Sonny explained.

According to Sonny Sasongko, the Egyptian Red Crescent welcomes the plan to distribute humanitarian aid from Indonesia. The Indonesian Embassy in Cairo is still waiting for further news from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and related parties for the timing of the shipment and the amount of aid to be channeled to Palestine. Rafah border crossing with the Gaza Strip has been almost completely closed since 2013.  The Rafah Door is usually opened briefly for access to aid and medical assistance in the Egyptian region or the farther region as it did during the last Ramadan. Israel controls six of the seven border gates in and out of the Gaza Strip. (Rian)

Indonesia is officially elected as a non-permanent member of the United Nations (UN) Security Council for 2019-2020 period representing the Asia-Pacific region. The vote was held at the UN General Assembly in New York, United States of America on Friday (June 8^th). Indonesia won the election by 144 votes of the total 190 UN member states, defeating Maldives that only seized 46 votes. Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi through a live streaming from the United Nations through webtv.un.org/ said that the result of this election is a form of trust given by UN member countries. On the same occasion, she also expressed her gratitude to all UN member states for the trust given to Indonesia in the UN Security Council.

“…Indonesia is honored to be elected as non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the term 2019-2020 with 144 votes. It was a privilege to have run for the candidacy with our good friend Maldives. On behalf of the government and people of the Republic of Indonesia, allow me to express our deepest appreciation for all of general support extended toward Indonesia’s candidacy. I wish to extend my sincere gratitude to member states of the United Nations for trusting Indonesia to be your true partner.” She said

Minister Retno Marsudi added that the trust given by UN member states is a recognition of Indonesia's contribution to world peace for decades. In addition, Indonesia's election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council also strengthens Indonesia's commitment to keep maintaining world peace and security. Indonesia had previously been a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for three periods in 1973-1974, 1995-1996 and 2007-2008. The UN Security Council is comprised of 15 member states consisting of five-veto member states: the USA, Russia, China, Britain and France and 10 non-permanent members elected for a two-year period. (Rezha)

The Asian Games 2018 is going to take place in Jakarta and Palembang for a few months to come. But seemingly, President Joko Widodo has not been satisfied with the promotion of this international event that has not been carried out at maximum. In a limited meeting at Bogor Presidential Palace in West Java on April 18 and at Presidential Office in Jakarta on 4 May, President Joko Widodo reminded that the 18^th Asian Games does not become a fever amidst the Indonesian community. The President asks the echo of the Asian Games to resound throughout Indonesia. Indeed, the Asian Games is an event with the national and international scale; it does not belong to the host cities: Jakarta and Palembang.

In response to the President's criticism of the promotion of the Asian Games, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of Asian Games Indonesia – Inasgoc, Erick Thohir said that the role of state institutions is very important in promoting the Asian Games. On the sidelines of the 2018 Asian Games entitled "BRI Sunday Fest" in Jakarta on last Sunday (6/5), Erick expressed his hope that state institutions such as TVRI and RRI must play a major role in promoting the Asian Games. In addition, the Indonesian National Police - Polri must guarantee the security during the event. He views that both state media have wide network throughout Indonesia and the Polri also have professional personnel to safeguard the 18^th Asian Games.  

To promote the Asian Games 2018 which will take place on August 18 to September 2 is the common responsibility of all state institutions, including the Indonesian Armed Forces –TNI, Polri and the general public. Both TNI and Polri have the main task to maintain security in the implementation of the Asian Games. The Ministry of Youth and Sports and Inasgoc must take advantage of many channels in addition to expecting state agencies to promote in short time ahead. Schools, social media and private institutions should also cooperate to further intensify the promotion of the 2018 Asian Games.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi discussed cooperation in maritime affairs and fisheries with her Vietnamese counterpart, Pham Bihn Mihn, during the third joint commission meeting between the two countries.

The third Indonesia-Vietnam joint commission meeting was held in Hanoi, Vietnam, the Indonesian Foreign Ministry said in a press statement released on Tuesday (17/4).

At the meeting, Marsudi stressed that illegal, unreported, and undocumented (IUU) fishing posed a serious threat to the food security of a country.

For its part, she called on the Vietnamese government to step up cooperation to eradicate IUU fishing while, at the same time, encouraging sustainable fishery management.

In response, the Vietnamese government vowed to respond immediately to the "Draft Joint Communique on IUU Fishing" proposed by Indonesia.

During the meeting, the two foreign ministers also discussed the delineation of Indonesia-Vietnam Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), one of the issues that the two countries are still negotiating.

As of November 2017, the two countries have held 10 technical meetings to delineate the EEZ in accordance with the directives from the two countries` leaders.

Both the Indonesian and Vietnamese foreign ministers reiterated their call for the two countries to speed up negotiations.

"The finalization of EEZ is crucial, because it will bring about benefits and certainty for the two countries," Marsudi asserted.

The two ministers also exchanged views on a number of issues and developments in the ASEAN region. They further reiterated their commitment to always strengthen peace and stability in the ASEAN region. (antara)