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October 17, 1947 on Special Force Corps of Indonesian Air Force anniversary

On October 17, 1947, Dakota carrier aircraft which flew from Maguwo airport, Jogjakarta crossed on the sky of Kalimantan. Dakota aircraft carried out parachuting to 13 best soldiers of Indonesian Air Force over Waringin City. Their mission was to open radio transmission between region and center, to prepare dropping zone for the next jump, to help warriors in Kalimantan, and to open the eyes of the world that Kalimantan is part of Republic of Indonesia. The Parachuting, which was conducted by the 13 soldiers of Indonesian Air Force, signed the birth of combat unit of Special Force Corps of Indonesian Air Force. Thus, October 17 was decided as the Day of Special Force Corps of Indonesian Air Force. 

In 1973 on Embargo of Arabic oil

On October 17, 1973, Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries –OPEC, whose most country members are Arabic countries, began to impose oil embargo on the United States of America, the United Kingdom and other countries which sold oil to Israel. The embargo was conducted because the USA, the UK were viewed to massively provide military assistance for Israel in the war between Israel and Syria as well as Egypt, that began on October 6. As a result, oil price became higher and Western countries were in serious trouble due to the embargo which was known as period of oil shock. In March 1974, the embargo was pulled out again after US State Secretary, Henry Kissinger succeeded in carrying out negotiation of ceasefire agreement between Israel and Syria.

In 1992 on the commemoration of World Poverty Eradication Day, the commemoration was recognized by United Nations in 1992

The commemoration was held for the first time in Paris, France in 1987. At that time, 100 thousand people gathered at Human Rights and Liberties Plaza in Trocadero to honor the victims of hunger, poverty, violence and threats. They declared poverty is violence on Human Rights. Afterwards, General Assembly of the United Nations declared on October 17 as World Poverty Eradication Day. International communities celebrate the commemoration with various ways.

Since October 12, festival with the title ‘Menoreh Art Festival (MAF) 2019’ has been opened. The festival which is held to commemorate the 68th anniversary of Kulon Progo takes place at the field of Wates City, Kulon Progo until October 20, 2019. The festival is aimed to introduce Kulonprogo culture to the community. Many different arts and cultures are shown during the festival. The opening of the festival started by holding Ngalarak Blarak competition, the traditional sport that belongs to Kulon Progo. In the past, Ngalarak Blarak was only kids’ and youths’ game at the hamlet of coconut juice tapper on Menoreh hill which used blarak or in English means coconut midrib. The local government makes it as packaged competition so that Nglarak Blarak becomes an interesting competition for adult people by using coconut midrib. The government also makes Nglarak Blarak to be the traditional sport of Kulon Progo. After competing Nglarak Blarak, there is Campursari singers’ parade. The next day, there is puppet show by using Tiga Kelir or screen. Then, it is continued by performances of Sendratari Sugriwa Subali and Sendratari Api on Menoreh hill as Kulon Progo icon. Sendratari is a drama story which is presented by dancing without dialog, and it’s usually accompanied by Gamelan. Another traditional sport is Jemparingan or traditional archery in national level. There is also massive Macapatan or singing in Javanese language, karawitan and choir or flash-mob. In addition, there is also full moon festival while playing music from rice pounder. In the Menoreh Art Festival 2019, the regional government of Kulon Progo also handed over awards to a number of culturists. The government also released a book entitled "Sanun" which tells about a student army from Kulon Progo who becomes policeman and was killed at Shanun field, Sentolo district. Menoreh Art Festival 2019 will be continued by Fine Arts Exhibition entitled 'RUPAKU' which will be conducted at Kulon Progo Cultural Park starting from October 21 – 30, 2019. Previous years, the exhibition was held in one location with cultural festival. This year, the exhibition presents community of artists, curators from Jogjakarta, cultural actors, performance of art community. The regional government of Kulon Progo also makes a package of the Cultural Park to be Kangen market where various kinds of traditional culinary products of Kulon Progo are sold.

Indonesia's active role in efforts to address environmental issues at the ASEAN level can be seen from the statement of Minister of Environment and Forestry Siti Nurbaya Bakar, represented by the Head of Research and Development Agency and Innovation of the Ministry Agus Justianto at the 15th ASEAN Ministrial Meeting of Environment –AMME at the Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra, Siem Reap, Cambodia. Agus Justianto conveyed the statement of the Minister of Environment and Forestry, that how important environmental issues in the ASEAN region are and the need for collaborative strategic steps to anticipate environmental problems in the region. The official statement also mentioned the corrective actions taken by the Indonesian Government through the Ministry of Environment and Forestry to improve the quality of the environment in Indonesia.

The 15th Ministrial Meeting of Environment, which took place from October 7-11, discussed various environmental problems in the ASEAN region and discussed regional cooperation to anticipate the existing environmental problems. The discussion includes climate change, environmentally friendly city development, biodiversity conservation, clean coastal and marine environment, environmental education for young people, water resources management, chemical and hazardous waste management, control of cross-border haze pollution, and environmentally friendly schools.

There are three important matters discussed in the 15th Environment Ministrial Meeting. The matters are the adoption of a joint statement by ASEAN member countries on climate change which will be presented at the conference of parties to the framework of the United Nations climate change convention (COP 25 - UNFCCC) in Chile in December 2019. Then the draft of ASEAN Strategic Plan on Environment, ASPEN, and the establishment of five National Parks in Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam as ASEAN Heritage Parks.

The 15th Environment Ministrial Meeting was opened by Vice Prime Minister concurrently Minister of Economy and Finance of Cambodia Akka Pundit Sapheacha Aun Pommoniroth, at Sofitel Utama, Cambodia followed by tree planting event at Angkor Wat tourism area.

During the meeting an evaluation of the work of the ASEAN Working Group (AWG) in the field of environment was also carried out and other proposed activities in the relevant environmental field to anticipating environmental problems in the ASEAN region. According to the agenda, the 16th Environment Ministrial Meeting will be held in Indonesia in 2021. Indonesia hopes that environmental issues will be better in the next two years and ASEAN member countries can more focus on the environmental issues anticipation.

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.