VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Eventually, PT Merpati Nusantara Airlines can resume its operations after 10 State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) synergized to help it be active again. Garuda Indonesia along with nine other SOEs synergized to form a strategic partnership in a bid to restructure the business of PT Merpati Nusantara Airlines. The cooperation agreement includes collaboration in the field of air cargo services, ground-handling, overhaul maintenance, and training centers. The cooperation agreement was signed directly by President Director of PT Garuda Indonesia (Persero) Tbk, Ari Askhara, Managing Director of PT Merpati Nusantara Airlines, Asep Ekanugraha, and directors of nine other SOEs in Jakarta, Wednesday (10/16/2019).

PT Merpati Nusantara Airlines has ceased operations since February 1, 2014. This is due to Merpati's debt to a number of creditors, which reached Rp10.72 trillion.

PT Merpati Nusantara Airlines had experienced its golden time in 1989-1992. At that time, Merpati had various types of aircraft, from jets to small-sized propeller planes, which totaled 100 aircraft. With a considerable number of fleets at the time, Merpati controlled pioneer flights in Indonesia. Short-distance routes to remote areas could be controlled by Merpati. The airline operated on the routes that were considered uneconomical.

At the time, Merpati's performance was strengthened by the synergy with Garuda Indonesia. Merpati served as a Garuda Indonesia feeder to serve flights to all corners of the country. During its golden time, PT Merpati also served international flights: to the United States and Australia. For the United States, Merpati had served Biak-Honolulu-Los Angeles route.

At present, the aviation business in Indonesia has developed rapidly and is able to increase human mobility efficiently and has proven to contribute positively to the regional economy. Unfortunately, access to remote areas and remote islands is still limited, considering the implementation of pioneering flights has not been optimal.

With the re-operation of PT Merpati Nusantara Airlines, of course, access to remote areas and remote islands is increasingly open. Certainly, the re-operation of PT Merpati will support the efforts of the Indonesian government to build connectivity across Indonesia. 

Ujung Kulon is the oldest national park in Indonesia, which was inaugurated as one of World Heritages, that has been protected by UNESCO since 1991, because its area includes very large protected forest. Until now, there are more than 50 rhinos which live in this habitat. Earlier, Ujung Kulon was agricultural area. But finally, it was destroyed when Mt. Krakatau erupted on August 27, 1883, which changed the area to become forest again. Ujung Kulon was explored for the first time by botanist from Germany, F. Junghuhn in 1846 to collect tropical plants. At that time, wealth of flora and fauna of Ujung Kulon have begun to be known by scientists. Although, the eruption of Mt. Krakatau has swept Ujung Kulon area, several years later, the ecosystem-vegetation and wild animals in  Ujung Kulon grow well and fast. Thus, some areas are determined as protected areas. National Park area of Ujung Kulon is administratively located at Sumur and Cimanggu district, Pandeglang regency, Banten province. In late 2018, Ujung Kulon National Park was hit again by tsunami which destroyed parts of the area. However, within three months, 70 percent of the area has been restored by provincial government of Banten and proposed as UNESCO Global Geopark by Tourism Office of Banten province which is fully supported by Indonesian Tourism Ministry.

“…I will support national geopark proposal of Ujung Kulon. We hope this year, Ujung Kulon will be National Geopark. I instructed it to the party at Tourism Ministry. Requirement, which is not fulfilled yet, is master plan but we are still lucky because its proposal is postponed until October. So, we hope this year it becomes National Geopark and next year, Ujung Kulon will have become UNESCO Global Geopark.” Minister Arif Yahya said. 

National Park which is well known with symbol “One-horned rhinoceros” becomes one of tourism destinations which should be visited if you are in Banten. The entrance ticket to the park can be obtained at National Park office in Labuan or at Tamanjaya post. If you want to stay at night, you can rent lodging at Tamanjaya village, Handeuleum and Peucang Island.

The first story for today’s Diplomatic Corner is from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. To establish cooperation among universities, delegation of FISIP UNAIR Surabaya visits Ethiopia.

Ethiopia is one of African countries which succeeds well to increase economic growth to keep political stability and to strengthen development of human resources. Thus, Politic and Social Knowledge Faculty of Airlangga University chose Ethiopia as the main destination in Africa to extend study and research in the field of politic, economic, social affairs, and African culture. This was stated by Dr. Falih Suaedi, Dean of the faculty when being received by Indonesian Ambassador to Ethiopia, Djibouti and African Union, Al Busyra Basnur at the Indonesian Embassy in Addis Ababa on Monday (7/10). Falih during in Ethiopia from October 1 – 7, 2019 said that the visit in Ethiopia was also aimed to establish partnership among colleges and to expand networks in strengthening Indonesian and Ethiopian relations.  

Next information is from Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Provincial government of South Sulawesi explores cooperation with University of Tasmania.

Provincial government of South Sulawesi is ready to establish cooperation with University of Tasmania, Australia through The Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) in the form of research to maximize management of marine and fisheries resources of South Sulawesi. IMAS is known as institute which is successful to conduct research and development of maritime resources in Australia. This was stated by Governor of South Sulawesi, Nurdin Abdullah in a press release in Makassar on Thursday (9/10). Meanwhile, Executive Director of IMAS, Terry Bailey admitted being ready to cooperate with provincial government of South Sulawesi in researching and studying for development resources which exist in the province.  

The last information is from Washington D.C.

Diplomatic celebration in commemorating the 74th anniversary of Indonesian military which was held by Indonesian embassy in Washington, DC, USA on Tuesday (8/10) strengthened the solid bilateral relations between Indonesia and the United States of America, especially in the field of military cooperation. Indonesia is a country which is complex but dynamic. This was stated by Indonesian Ambassador to the USA,  Mahendra Siregar in his speech. The Ambassador also said that currently, it is a moment of the best relations of the two countries in the military-to-military or defense-to-defense cooperation and has potential to keep being increased in the next future.

Lung Anai is one of villages at Loa Kulu district, Kutai Kertanegara regency, East Kalimantan province. The village has the status as cultural village since 2007. Interestingly, the village is one of thebirth points of Dayak Kenyah community, precisely sub tribe of Lepoq Jalan. Dayak Kenyah Lepoq Jalan tribe, comes from Malinau region, North Kalimantan, exactly from Apau Kayan village. Currently, the tribe settled surrounding 20 villages in East Kalimantan. But the largest community existed at Lung Anai. According to history, Dayak Kenyah Lapoq Jalan community began to come to Lung Anai  in the 1960s.

To reach Lung Anai tourism village it takes 3 hours from Samarinda, the capital city of East Kalimantan through land transportation. You will pass through winding and rocky roads. However, you can enjoy green pasture views and shady trees along the trip. Once arriving at Lung Anai village, you will directly see Lamin house. Lamin is traditional house of Dayak Kenyah tribe. The house is usually used to welcome guest and become the center of all traditional ceremonies of the local people. Lung Anai villagers still preserve their tradition until nowadays.

One of traditions which is still preserved by Lung Anai villagers, is Uman Undat. The ceremony is an expression of gratitute toward abundant harvest in a year. The ceremony is conducted by pounding rice in a mortar to be flour, after that entered into pieces of bamboo then burned. After the rice flour in the bamboo has cooked, then  eaten together with the villagers. Tourists who attend the ceremony, can participate in Uman Undat tradition. In Lung Anai tourism village, you can also buy typical handicrafts of the village as souvenir.