VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

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. 

Today, We will discuss a movie entitled "Arini" directed by Ismael Basbeth. Indonesian film industry is apparently making a new trend, which is recycling old films that increased people's love to Indonesian film. Among many was an adaptation of a novel written by Mira W. entitled "Arini, Masih Ada Kereta Yang Lewat" released in 1982 and was made into movie in 1988. Widyawati and Rano Karno, two Indonesian top stars at that time, played the main characters. Thirty years later, in 2018, Ismael Basbeth remade the movie with some touch of today. The ARINI film is about a woman in the peak of her career. Like all film drama, there will be some romance, betrayal, and cries in the film. But, the packaging and the actors will make it far different.

"It's a collaboration. I was interested with "Arini" written by Titin Watimena and I want to collaborate with her. I read the novel and I believed that I must make the film" Ismael said.

The conflict in this film is actually quite simple. But, it was expanded by Mira into a little bit more complex than in its novel, and that was depicted by Ismael according to the current situation. Arini was depicted as a strong woman facing bad love life. Separated from her cheating husband will hurt any women. In this era, Arini met with a man, 15 years younger, but kept trying to get her heart.

"Women getting second chances has limited position in Indonesian film. I want to make that. Then, a widow with a far younger lover is still a taboo for some people since then until now. But, the interesting thing is how I play these characters according to the novel, but in more modern situation" Ismael also said.

The story began when Nick (Morgan Oey) met with Arini (Aura Kasih) in a trip by train in Germany. Nick who was 23 years old, suddenly fell in love with Arini who was 38 yeras old. Arini lived as a cold woman with great defense wall against men due to her past wounds. Many years ago, Arini was disappointed by her husband and best friend. The coldness of Arini apparently encouraged Nick to get the love of the 15 years older woman. But, age is not a problem for Nick. All things done by Nick to make Arini fall into his hands. Nick's passionate efforts make the audience can feel the happy love. The romantic Nuremberg city, Germany as the setting grew Nick's love greater. Morgan Oey successfully played as a young man drunk in love. Not only Morgan, Aura Kasih was also successful in portraying how dark the past of Arini. Remaking a previously famous film is not easy. Many factors must be overseen by Ismael. Casting was one of the key. Therefore, Ismael joined directly in the casting.

"I tried to find fresh actors to make the story more alive without the previous' characters burden. Then, we look for up and coming actors. Thus we find Aura Kasih, who has been famous but yet to be the main character. So, people don't know how was the characters previously played by Aura Kasih. Then, I look for Indonesian up and coming crews and actors" Ismael added.

The challenge to make this film popular was the main focus of Ismael. Besides character, the plot and setting must be focused. Ismael has her own way.

"It's made in different era, so we intentionally make it different. Still, it came from "Arini, Masih Ada Kereta Yang Lewat" novel by Mira W. So I hope by being open and honest in interpreting works from the same source, my Arini film will be different" He stated.

The whole film has similar plot, although with several different scenes. However, it did not erase the main essence of the story. Ismael even made some romantic scenes more artistic and touched the audience.Alright listener, that was our brief review of Indonesian film "Arini, Masih Ada Kereta yang Lewat" by Ismael Basbeth.

Rhythm of the Indonesian Archipelago today will invite you to visit a small town in Central Java province, namely Wonosobo. People in the world usually visit Wonosobo to enjoy beautiful scenery from the peak of Dieng slope. The place, which becomes one of the main destinations of Wonosobo, has been well known by domestic and foreign tourists. Various kinds of arts and cultures become evidences that Indonesia is rich of not only beautiful nature or friendly people, but also diverse culture which becomes background of Indonesian people’s life. Culture also becomes way to see civilization in the world. Music is also part of the culture.

Wonosobo becomes the center of the oldest Islamic civilization in Java Island. Although many things have to appear, Wonosobo become a symbol of the city. There is one thing which is not realized by tourists when they come to this small town, namely a unique traditional instrument so-called ‘Bundengan’. The instrument has been played as entertainment of duck breeders since the glory of Majapahit kingdom. Bundengan is the origin of traditional musical instrument from Wonosobo. The instrument is rare because there are not many makers and players of the instrument.

According to Agus Wuryanto a Bundengan player in Wonosobo that Bundengan’ is Javanese traditional instrument. In addition, it is also called ‘Kowangan’ and called ‘Betet’ in East Wonosobo. The Javanese traditional instrument has developed, especially in Kedu region in Wonosobo and surrounding areas. The instrument is made from bamboos which are coated with Selumpring or bamboo stem and  tied with fibers. The instrument is popular among the communities because in the past, it became media of entertainment. According to its function, Kowangan is also used as  tools for shelter for farmers and herdsmen.

The shape of Bundengan which looks like shell poses some questions; one of them is why people call the instrument Bundengan. 

"...It is called Bundengan, because from Kowangan name, it contains of instrument and its sound is buzzing. So, it’s called Bundengan. If Javanese people mention that buzzing is called ‘Bundeng’. The instrument has high pitch voice and quite complete. So, it can be mentioned to represent a set of Gamelan, and there is Gendang  sounding like Kempul and Gong.", Agus said. 

The simplicity of the form of the instrument does not reflect the melodious rhythm. The genius farmers and breeders are able to present unique music, namely Bundengan. After exploring, the instrument entertained not only the farmers but also the breeders when they were taking a rest at that time.

"...In the past, it was usually used to accompany performances; one of them was Bali Lenggeran, kids’ songs and even for wayang Kedu performance. Because from one of books which was read by me. With its name Kritosanjoyo book, there is one sentence which mentions “Tudung” referring to  Javanese musical instrument as Wayang Kedu accompaniment.", He added. 

Bundengan itself has shape like hood which is made from bamboo. The uniqueness of the instrument is its string tucked in between the woven bambooto produce melodious sound and high-pitch. A man with the name Munir who is very proficientto play it, explained how to make Bundengan.

"It is made from dried bamboo, then it cut thin or split and refined, when it has been thin and refined, it is installed on Kowangan. To install racket strings pairs on the sidelines of Kowangan is given the distance among several boxes and should be tight. Then, it is given Gondeni or bamboo’s twig. The twig is split, and fitted to strings and inserted a stick, then it can be tested in the stem", He said. 

It is not easy to make the instrument. Understanding the maker of Gamelan music is also a benchmark of the beauty of the sound coming out of the Bundengan.Bundengan is in category of stringed instrument which uses guitar and rubber strings. Furthermore, a Lecturer of Ethnomusicology, Surakarta, Dr. Zukarnain Mistortoify explained about Bundengan.

"...Bundengan instrument consists of some elements, one bowl or Koangan which is plaited by bamboo’s frame to form it like bowl. Then, there are strings which produce sound; there are 4 strings which function as gong, kempul and bende and produce kempul and getuk sound. Because it is different, then the principle of its strainis also varied and there is also a facility to ascend down the strain. Another side is a piece of bamboo which is plugged in its different size and thickness, if it is pluckedto produce different sound.", He explained. 

Being simple is the main key which is played by Bundengan physicallybut the simplicity can give the pleasure of a sad heart.

That was a glimpse of information about a traditional music instrument from Wonosobo, Central Java.

The first information is from Jakarta.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs has denied on the existence of tourist visa for Israeli people. Previously, Haaretz, media of Israel claimed that Israeli people can propose visa to Indonesia as of May 1st. Spokesperson of the Ministry, Arrmanatha Nasir, when being connected by Republika on Friday (4/5) said that news about visa granting for Israel is not true. He emphasized that this has been communicated by Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs,  Retno Marsudi, Minister of Tourism, Arief Yahya and Minister of Law and Human Rights, Yasonna Laoli. In addition, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the truth of the news, which was published by Haaretz, has also been denied by Directorate General of Immigration. Head of Public Relations and Public Section of the Directorate General of Immigration, Agung Sampurno said that there is no tourist visa for Israel. Indonesia does not have diplomatic relations with Israel. Thus, Indonesia does not have policy of visa granting for Israeli people.

The next information is from Slovakia.

Acquiescence film directed by Fierrany Halita from Indonesia won the main prize for F-Kids category in International Festival of Sustainable Development Film in Bratislava, Solvakia over the weekend. The award was handed over by the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sports of Republic of Slovakia to Indonesian Ambassador to Slovakia,  Adiyatwidi Adiwoso represented by Fierrany Halita. This was stated by Counselor of Socio-Cultural Information of the Indonesian Embassy to Bratislava, Lely Meiliani to Antara News Agency in London on Monday (7/5). The acquiescence film is a short animation one with the theme ‘Environment”. The festival has been held for 44 years and it becomes the biggest film festival in Slovakia. This year, the committee of the festival received 1,300 films from various countries and only 86 films became nomination. The award is the first time for Indonesia to win in the film festival.

We end Diplomatic Corner with the news from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Speech and story-telling competition in Indonesian language were held in Kedah, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. There were 10 finalists; each 5 participants showed their skills in the final speech and story-telling competition in Indonesian language for foreign speakers at Campus of Universiti Malaysia Utara Alor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia on Sunday (6/5). A student of the university, Nurfarhana binti Mazlan was decided by the judges as the first winner of the speech competition. The second and third place was Addina binti Zamil and Aubaidillah Doloh who are the students of Universiti Islam Antarbangsa Malaysia. Meanwhile, for story-telling in Indonesian language, the first winner was Shakif bin Suhaimi from Universiti Islam Antarbangsa Malaysia, the second place, Nuramelynn Izati binti Hisham from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, and the third place was Syed Muh Azmel bin Syed Mahmud from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris. The finale was opened by Education and Cultural Attaché of the Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Prof. Ari Purbayanto. In his speech, Ari Purbayanto disclosed that the speech and story-telling competition in Indonesian language is program of the Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture which is held by all Indonesian Education and Cultural and Cultural House Attaché in 18 accredited countries. The event was also enlivened by dances and songs which were accompanied by Angklung students and teachers of Indonesian school in Kuala Lumpur as well as Indonesian student association of Universiti Utara Malaysia.