VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Welcome to  “Indonesian Wonder”, a daily segment featuring  tourism, culinary arts, fine arts and culture from various regions across Indonesia. In today’s edition we will introduce the Carbide Cannon Tradition in Pontianak.

In Indonesia, most Muslims have the same tradition in celebrating Eid Al-Fitr or Lebaran. They usually come home (mudik) to celebrate Lebaran, Ied prayer, Gathering and pilgrimage. Muslims also serve rice cake or “ketupat” and chicken curry or “opor ayam” as special culinary of Lebaran. In addition, Indonesia also has a variety of customs, tribes and cultures. One of the unique traditions connected with Lebaran is Meriam Karbit or Carbide Cannon in Pontianak, West Kalimantan. The Carbide Cannon tradition has an interesting history. Perhaps, in ancient times the Sultanate of Kadriah in Pontianak which was established in 1771 - 1808 rang cannon to expel the ghost. Because at that time, the first Pontianak King, Syarif Abdurrahman Alkadrie when opened the land for his residence in Pontianak was disturbed by the ghosts. Then the Sultan ordered his troops to drive the ghosts by cannon. In addition, the loud sound of the carbide cannon usually signifies the time of magrib or evening prayer for muslims .  

As time goes by, the carbide cannon is lively performed for tourist attraction. The cannon is made of durian wood or coconut tree and then tied with a rope, so that the cannon does not move when thunder. Moreover the cannon is painted with interesting colors. The carbide cannon is approximately 4-7 meters long. It is perforated in the middle to ignite the fire until produce the boom sound. For one game it takes about 3-5 ounces of carbide.

The cannon that will be participated in the Traditional Carbide Cannon games must follow the requirements set by the Carbide Cannon Tradition community forum, art and culture of Pontianak. These requirements, are among others, the cannon should be decorated with various decorations, such as the background of the mosque. Therefore to make 1 cannon it is required about 3 to 5 million rupiah. The game of carbide cannon tradition is a unique game which usually perform to welcome the Eid Al-Fitr. Even the traditional game of Carbide Cannon is currently contested. It is already included in the tourism calendar and highly awaited by Pontianak people.

The Carbide Tradition Game located along the banks of the Kapuas River. Usually the game started since Lebaran minus 3 in the evening. The Carbide cannons are lined on two sides of the Kapuas river. Approaching magrib or evening prayer, one of the cannons is shot, to initiate as the time to break the fast. The sounding is very loud even sounded up to a radius of 5 Km. That was Indonesian Wonder for today with the topic “Carbide Cannon Tradition” in Pontianak.

Welcome back to Music Corner, a musical segment which introduces you to Indonesian music, either traditional or modern one. In today’s edition, we present some religious nostalgic songs from the Indonesian music group, Bimbo. Trio Los Bimbos was the forerunner of Bimbo group formed in 1967. Its personnel consists of 3 brothers Sam, Acil, and Jaka. In the mid-1970s, Trio Los Bimbos was later changed into Bimbo by adding a personnel, Iin Parlina, their younger sister. Along with Iin Parlina, the group began to compose the songs which describe about daily life themes, such as "Abang Becak". Entering the era of the 1980s, Bimbo began to make songs of social criticism and religious songs. Their first religious song entitled "Tuhan". 

The lyrics of this song were made by a famous Indonesian poet, Taufiq Ismail. The lyrics are simple but have a deep meaning wrapped with a touch of music from Sam and the characteristics vocal of Bimbo, make it becomes a legendary song and very famous among people especially the music lovers. Until now, the song is still often played, especially during the holy month of Ramadhan. This song tells about the greatness of God as a substance of the Almighty. If we come closer to GOD, then GOD certainly will be close to us. 

Welcome to My Indonesia! Today, we’ll bring you the topic, Social Forestry and Timber Legality Verification System –SVLK Support the Achieving the Goals of the International Forestry Strategic Plan

Escalation of access and ownership of local communities through the 12.7 million hectares of Social Forestry program, and 4.1 million hectares of Land Reform Object (TORA), is one of Indonesia's efforts to support the United Nations Strategic Plan for Forest (UNSPF) 2017-2030, including the Voluntary National Contribution (VNC).

This was conveyed by Dr Agus Justianto, Head of Research and Development and Innovasion, Environment and Forestry Ministry at the 13th United Nations Forum on Forests –UNFF 13 in New York on May 7 to 11. In addition, Indonesia also held the Timber Legality Verification System to promote the sustainable forest management. Agus Justianto also said in the meeting Indonesia expressed its commitment on the six Global Forest Goals in Voluntary National Contribution –VNC that has been ratified through multi-stakeholders mechanism.

The UNFF 13 finally produced two important documents namely document Forest-Based Solutions for Accelerating the Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals –SDG and Transformation towards Sustainable and Tough Community. The second document is UNFF13 Omnibus Resolution covering various steps to the implementation of the UN Strategic Plan to UNSPF Forest. As the following step from the result of UNFF 13, Agus Justianto viewed that Indonesia needs to complete Voluntary National Contribution VNC, to encourage the development of sustainable national forestry.

Meanwhile in the near future Indonesia will also increase cooperation with the Nationbal Focal Points (NFP) of other international agreements such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the UN Convention on Biodiversity (UNCBD), the United Nations to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and international agreement for conservation and the sustainable use of wetlands.

In the five-day session, the Indonesian delegation, besides from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, were also representatives from the National Forestry Council, the Indonesian Association of Forest Concessionaires (APHI), Permanent Mission of the Republic of Indonesia PTRI New York and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Here are the Headlines of several national newspapers published today, May 17.

We begin with Kompas entitled, "Government Reviews Joint Operation."

The government was considering to reactivate the Indonesian National Army's Joint Special Operations Command to overcome the recent terrorist acts. At the same time, the solidity and spirit of political elite are also needed in responding current condition. Solidity which among others can be shown by not giving accusing or condescending comment is not only important to maintain the spirit to eradicate terrorism, but also will maintain the unity of the people and the country. This is urgently needed to face the terror act. To overcome the terrorism, Presidential Staff Head Moeldoko said, President Joko Widodo approved the involvement of Joint Special Operations Command (Koopsusgab) which is a joint operation between counterterrorism special force from three branches of the military namely army, air force, and navy. The joint elite was formed on June 9 2015 by Moeldoko who at that time was National Army Commander to eradicate terrorism.

Moving on to Republika entitled, "Fasting for Taqwa".

Indonesian Muslims began their fasting month or Ramadhan 1439 H which fell on Thursday (17/5). This year's Ramadhan is different, due to series of terror act occurred in several regions of the country since last week until yesterday. President Joko Widodo welcomed the so-called holy month. President also instructed the National Police Chief Gen. Tito Karnavian, National Army Commander Hadi Tjahjanto, and State Intelligence Agency (BIN) Gen. Budi Gunawan to keep the security, to control the situation, and to encourage social unity. People's Consultative Assembly MPR Spokesman Zulkifli Hasan conveyed a message for all fasting Muslims. The message was said by Zulkifli during umrah in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Zulkifli Hasan invited the people to clean heart and body by forgiving and supporting each other, especially because Indonesia is facing many trials such as terrorism in several places.

We end the Headlines with Media Indonesia entitled, "The Death of Riau Regional Police's Muezzin".

Sorrow came to the family of Extraordinary First Inspector Anumerta Haji Auzar when they were bringing his body to the Mayang Sari BRG graveyard, Pekanbaru Riau, yesterday. Auzar fell on duty because of being hit by a car that was used by terrorist suspect to attack Riau Police Office. Auzar was known as pious man. He often became muezzin and preacher at Riau Police's Al-Adil Mosque. Riau Police's Traffic Director Comm. Rudi Syarifuddin said, Auzar was active in various religious activity and social. He often gave preach and became a respected ustaz in the police and among the people. Auzar, born in Tanjung Alam, November 9 1962, was buried in military ceremony at Mayang Sari Simpang BRG graveyard. The Police awarded him extraordinary promotion into First Inspector.