VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Welcome back to this Week Spotlight Highlight which today took is on "President Approves Joint Special Operations Command"

Terrorist attacks have not stopped since the riot occurred at the Salemba Detention Center of Brimob Corps Headquarters, Kelapa Dua Depok, two weeks ago. Facing this, Head of the Office of Presidential Staff, Moeldoko stated that President Joko Widodo-Jokowi has approved to revive the Joint Operation Command. With the enlargement of this special military force, the apparatus involved in overcoming terrorism include not only the Police through Densus 88 but also the Military with the Joint Special Operations Command..

Moeldoko asserted that the capability of the Combined Special Operations Command forces has also been well prepared to be assigned to various regions in Indonesia. Furthermore, the Chief of Police and Commander of TNI will further discuss the task of special forces.

The Joint Special Operation Command was formed while Moeldoko while was serving as TNI Commander and was inaugurated in June 2015. The elite force is the best combination of personnel from the Military special forces to eradicate terrorism. Among them, Unit 81 Gulfor Command Forces Kusus-Koppassus TNI army. Detachment Jala Mengkara Marine Corps Navy, and Unit Bravo Troops Typical Air ForceTNI.

It consisted of 90 specially trained soldiers in handling terrorism. The special unit was frozen some time ago.

According to Moeldoko to reactivate this special force does not require a legal umbrella. He said the joint operation needs to be run as a preventive measure against the threat of terrorism attacks and create peace of mind. He hopes the Joint Special Operations Command can be kept alive to combat terrorism and other war operations in different regions. The reinstatement of the Joint Special Operations Command is expected to provide optimal strength for securing the country.

Related to the plan, Head of Public Relations Division of the Police, Inspector General Setyo Wasisto said, the Police have coordinated with several other institutions in counterterrorism action. Among others is with TNI. Kopassus Special Forces Command. In searching or raiding activities, according to Setyo, Brimob Corps has often cooperated with kopassus. Similarly, in handling the security of vital objects.

In many terrorist arrest operations the Military have also been frequently involved. Setyo Wasisto asserted, the Police did not question the involvement of the TNI in counterterrorism action. The most common example is Operation Tinombala in Poso, Central Sulawesi. In counterterrorism operations in eastern Indonesia, the TNI participated in the field.

RRI VOI with daily segment My Indonesia which today is on "Coordinating Minister for Human and Cultural Development Holds Asian Games Security Coordination Meeting

Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Puan Maharani held a coordination meeting in preparation for the security of hosting the Asian Games XVIII 2018 at her office in Jakarta, Thursday (17/5). Puan Maharani asserted, the security of the XVIII Asian Games, starting August 18 next, will involve Police and Military personnel, to achieve maximum security.

Therefore, it needs synergies from all stakeholders to make the Asian Games, a success especially in the securityissue which is a serious concern of the government. This factor will be the government's focus for the event to run smoothly and safely.

The Coordination Meeting on the Preparation for Safeguarding the Asian Games was also attended by the National Agency for Combating Terrorism (BNPT) and related ministries and agencies. According to Suhardi, in a meeting that lasted for approximately two hours the discussed in great detail matters related to the security of the Asian Games which will be held in three months .

Meanwhile, the National Agency for Combating Terrorism (BNPT) will "all out" in securing the 2018 Asian Games from possible terrorist disturbances. In a press release in Jakarta on Thursday (17/05/2018), BNPT Chief Police Commissioner General SuhardiAlius wanted the Asian Games in Indonesia "zero attack, zero accident" as South Korea had done in the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon and the Olympics Winter 2018 in Pyeongchang. For that, security will be made very tight so there is no chance for those who want to disrupt the biggest sports event in Asia.

According to Suhardi, an international event such as the Asian Games has the potential to become a terrorist target so that anticipatory steps, awareness and synergy of various parties need to be done. He reminded the 2018 World Cup in Russia has also been threatened by militant groups, especially ISIS. This fact must be an understanding to be well anticipated. Therefore, this security issue must be really strengthened, without any loopholes.

RRI World Service -Voice of Indonesia with Today In History, a regular segment which brings back people and events from this date in the past as recorded in history.

I’ll start with May 20, 1908;the first National Awakening Day of Indonesia.

Every May 20, the Indonesian people commemorate National Awakening Day. The day, that became the momentum of the struggle of all Indonesian people, was marked by the birth of Budi Oetomo organization in 1908. The establishment of Budi Oetomo was the beginning of a movement aimed at achieving the independence of Indonesia. Judging from the history of the establishment of Budi Oetomo,  founded by educated young people, it is fitting for the people of Indonesia,`to have the same spirit for the resurrection of Indonesia to progress. Live along with the development of science and technology.

Next is from 20 May 2002; Timor-Leste becomes independent from Indonesia.

The Democratic Republic of East Timor,  which before independence was named East Timor, is a small country to the north of Australia and the eastern part of the Indonesian  island of Timor. In addition, the country's territory also includes Kambing  or Atauro island, Jaco, and the Oecussi-Ambeno enclave in West Timor. East Timor was once one of Indonesia's provinces. It was  officially independent on 20 May 2002. When it became a member of the United Nations, the country decided to use the Portuguese name "Timor Leste" as the official name of their country.

I’ll end Today in History with  May 20, 2008; Ali Sadikin dies.

Ali Sadikin, the former Jakarta governor, also known as Bang Ali, died at the age of 82 years, on Tuesday, May 20, 2008.

Ali Sadikin is well known for developing   the city of Jakarta. He received the honor of Bintang Mahaputera Adipradana because he was considered meritorious to the country and the nation, especially for turning  Jakarta into a Metropolitan City. President Soekarno appointed him Governor of Jakarta in the 60s because he was  considered as “stubborn”. He succeeded as a leader and in developing   the city of Jakarta precisely because of his harsh nature.

Here are  the Headlines of several national newspapers published today, May 20.

I’ll  begin with Kompas’s  headline , “Complicated Process leads Indonesian Migrant Workers to Brokers”

Indonesian Migrant Worker (TKI) candidates are yet to be free from high charges for their departure. Complicated departure arrangement system has brought TKI into the  hands of  brokers. According to Kompas’ investigation that lasted  for two weeks, many TKI candidates in Indramayu and some other regions had the same  experience. Even just to obtain passports, they were trapped by brokers.

To have a government subsidized passport, a TKI candidate who legally  needs just to pay Rp 55,000 had to  pay Rp 500 thousand because of the brokers. They used the canteen behind the Indramayu One Stop Integrated Service to arrange the TKI documents that must be attached as requirement for passport issuance.

Let’s  move on to Media Indonesia with its headline, “Moderation in thinking as a key to Deradicalization”.

Terrorism in Indonesia is  caused  among others by an ideology spread by the leaders of terrorist network to create an Islamic sharia-based nation. Former terrorist convict Yudi Zulfachri in Jakarta, Saturday said, terrorist leaders generally planted thought that whoever opposing their principle must be called as kafir and thogut or infidels; and is allowed to be killed.

This is the underlying thought  of  the terrorist attack against fellow Indonesian citizens in various regions. To overcome terrorism, according to Yudi, the key is moderating  the minds of terrorists. That is the true essence of deradicalization.

I’ll end  the Headlines with Republika’s, “Indonesia Asks OIC to unite and  Support Palestine ”.

Indonesia asked Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member countries to unite and help the Palestine. According to Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla, the common view among OIC members needs to be improved. Jusuf Kalla, after OIC Extraordinary Summit at Istanbul Conference Center on Friday (18/5) said, OIC must be the main driver of support for Palestine.

Jusuf Kalla also urged the Hamas and Fatah groups to unite. The unity of the two groups is instrumental in creating peace in Palestine.