VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

List of the ASEAN, Japan and UNDP winners of the ASEAN Blue Innovation Challenge (ABIC), (Photo : UNDP) - 

VOInews, Jakarta : ASEAN, Japan and UNDP officially announced the winners of the ASEAN Blue Innovation Challenge (ABIC), an initiative that aims to advance sustainable blue economy solutions in ten ASEAN countries and Timor-Leste. Launched in April 2024, ABIC is part of the ASEAN Blue Economy Innovation project supported by the ASEAN Coordinating Committee for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and implemented by UNDP, with funding support from the Government of Japan.

This initiative identifies and supports innovative solutions from ten ASEAN member countries and Timor-Leste that address pressing challenges in marine and freshwater ecosystems. The initiative received 1,341 proposals, of which 60 winners were selected by a Joint Selection Committee consisting of Satvinder Singh, ASEAN Deputy Secretary-General for the ASEAN Economic Community; Kiya Masahiko, Japanese Ambassador to ASEAN; and Norimasa Shimomura, Chief Representative of UNDP Indonesia.

These 60 winners represent a diverse range of innovators, and their solutions aim to improve sustainability in aquaculture, fisheries and tourism while addressing broader environmental challenges such as climate change, plastic waste and water resource management. Through technological innovation, community engagement and new financing models, this innovation project has the potential to generate positive environmental and social impacts across the region.

One other important piece of information is gender inclusion. Of the 60 winners, 27 of them (45%) were led by women, with a total of 125 female team members, exceeding the number of male members which amounted to 116 people.

Satvinder Singh, Deputy Secretary General of ASEAN said, “This project marks an important milestone in our journey towards sustainable blue economy development. By empowering local innovators and encouraging regional collaboration, we not only address pressing environmental challenges but also open new economic opportunities for ASEAN. I congratulate the 60 winners whose solutions have the potential to improve the future of our marine and freshwater ecosystems. I am confident that the partnerships formed through this initiative will drive long-term positive change across the region.”

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Thursday October 10th 2024 in Jakarta, four focus areas covering sustainable fisheries, marine plastic pollution, sustainable tourism and climate issues, the winners emphasized the use of the latest technological advances in the blue sector to increase efficiency and environmentally friendly approaches.

In precision aquaculture, for example, award recipients from Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, and the Lao People's Democratic Republic are using artificial intelligence (AI) and water filtration technology to optimize fish farming and increase local production. To demonstrate circularity in fisheries, award recipients from Cambodia, Indonesia and the Philippines transformed fish and shrimp waste and seaweed into valuable products such as fertilizer, microalgae and food supplements, promoting resource sustainability and community resilience. In biotechnology, solutions such as phage therapy (a medical treatment that uses viruses that infect and kill bacteria to treat bacterial infections) and the use of Bacillus probiotics to improve health or prevent disease in aquaculture ─ aim to improve fish health, while grass-based filters Oceans tackle microplastic pollution.

Award recipients from Myanmar, Singapore and Vietnam focus on plastic solutions, developing alternatives to agricultural waste, converting plastic waste into valuable products such as furniture and industrial materials, and facilitating the issuance of plastic credits in collaboration with local SMEs. In ecotourism, award recipients from Thailand and Timor-Leste are creating sustainable tourism models that involve local communities in conservation and waste management, driving environmental and social impacts.

This announcement also marks the start of a six-month incubation program for 60 winners. The program is designed to support the development of their proposed solutions at various stages of business implementation, from testing and proof of concept to scale-up and commercialization, equipping them with the tools to turn their ideas into impactful, scalable solutions. The winners are also entitled to funding of up to 40,000 US Dollars for 60 innovators//VOI

The Manuscript of the Song of Bwanā Winaṣā as a National Collective Memory (IKON) for 2024. (Photo : Perpusnas) - 

VOInews, Bali : The National Library of the Republic of Indonesia (Perpusnas) designated the Manuscript of the Song of Bwanā Winaṣā as a National Collective Memory (IKON) for 2024.

The text of Kidung Bwanā Winaṣā by Ida Pedanda Ngurah is written in the form of traditional macapat poetry and records important events such as the Badung puputan in 1906.

Deputy for the Development of Library Materials and Information Services at the National Library, Mariana Ginting, handed over the certificate of IKON designation to the representative of Gria Gede Belayu as the author's descendant, the representative of Giriya Mandhara Pemaron as the custodian of the manuscript, and to the Badung Regency Library and Archives Service as the proposer of IKON, in Badung, Bali, on Friday (11/10/2024).

The Deputy explained that with its broad historical coverage, the Song of Bwanā Winaṣā deserves to be recognized as an ICON that represents cultural riches and important events in world history.

"The Song of Bwanā Winaṣā was assessed by the IKON Expert Council as having national significance, namely that it records the story of the Balinese people's struggle against Dutch colonialism through the Puputan war which is an important legacy for Indonesian history," he said.

The Deputy emphasized that this award is not just a celebration, but also has benefits for the community.

"Accessibility and utilization of the Kidung Bwanā Winaṣā text as widely as possible must continue to be mainstreamed for the sake of knowledge and progress of the nation," he added.

Apart from that, the Deputy expressed his highest appreciation and appreciation to various parties who had collaborated with the National Library in selecting the manuscript of the Song of Bwanā Winaṣā to become an IKON.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Friday October 11th 2024 in Jakarta, assistant for Government and People's Welfare Badung Regency Regional Secretariat I Nyoman Sujendra representing Plt. The Regent of Badung Regency, I Ketut Suiasa, conveyed a number of efforts to preserve ancient manuscripts in Badung Regency.

"Efforts have been made to preserve ancient manuscripts in Badung Regency, especially lontar, in collaboration with Balinese language instructors in Bali Province," he said.

Furthermore, he emphasized the importance of maintaining, caring for and preserving ancient manuscripts through activities to mainstream Indonesian manuscripts.

"Nusantara Manuscripts as a National Collective Association is expected to provide knowledge and insight that teaches the preservation of the Indonesian nation's documentary heritage and saving national document assets from extinction," he explained.

He expressed his appreciation and appreciation to the National Library for holding this activity.

The representative of Giriya Mandhara Pemaron, Ida Pedanda Gede Mandhara Putra Kekeran as the custodian of the manuscript, expressed his gratitude and pride for the selection of the manuscript of Kidung Bwanā Winaṣā as the Bali Province IKON.

“Because it is history that is not just fanciful history, it is real history. Apart from that, it is an educational means to be able to think in search of unity and contains the concept of seeking peace. "If you have absorbed the contents of the palm leaf, a feeling of independence emerges, being firm in your opinion to achieve common prosperity," he said.

Likewise, the representative of Gria Gede Belayu, Ida Pedanda Gede Putra Gelgel, as a descendant of the scriptwriter, expressed his gratitude for the selection of the Kidung Bwanā Winaṣā script to become IKON in 2024.

“My family and I are very grateful for this IKON. Because perhaps the emergence of his current works can stimulate future leaders. "There are notes of a wise leader," he concluded.

In 2024, the National Library will designate seven Indonesian manuscripts as IKONs. Apart from the Song of Bwanā Winaṣā, the manuscripts designated as IKON are Bo' Sangaji Kai (Bima Sultanate), Pustaha Laklak Tambar ni Hulit (North Sumatra), Simbur Cahaya Constitution Manuscript (South Sumatra), Lontar Sri Tanjung (Banyuwangi Regency, East Java ), Lontar Attoriolong Bone (South Sulawesi), and Lontar Primbon of the Tengger Tribe (East Java)//VOI

The first phase of production and facility expansion plans production of Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) cathode material by PT LBM Energi Baru Indonesia launched on Tuesday October 8th 2024. (Photo : Kemenkomarves) - 

VOInews, Kendal : Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan inaugurated the start of the first phase of production and facility expansion plans production of Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) cathode material by PT LBM Energi Baru Indonesia, a project realized through a strategic investment partnership plan between the consortium

Indonesia Investment Authority (INA) and Changzhou Liyuan New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (Changzhou Liyuan), one of the world's largest LFP manufacturers and suppliers. this investment is expected to play an important role in meeting global demand for LFP batteries, driven by the increasing penetration of electric vehicles (EVs) worldwide.

“As President Joko Widodo often says, Indonesia cannot again just being an exporter of raw materials. We must create added value in the country itself, building a strong downstream industry, and positioning itself as a key player in global supply chain. Downstreaming is not just words, but a big strategy to speed things up Indonesia's progress—especially in the sector that will dominate the future: the ecosystem "electric vehicles, Electric Vehicles (EV)," said Coordinating Minister Luhut.

This facility, located in the Kendal Industrial Park (KIP) - one of the largest industrial complexes in Indonesia with Special Economic Zone (KEK) status - is projected to become the world's largest LFP Cathode manufacturer outside China. Planned joint investments amounting to USD 200 million aims to increase production capacity from 30,000 tons in phase I, which is currently in pilot production, to 90,000 tonnes in phase II, which is expected to begin in 2025.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Tuesday October 8th 2024, LFP is one of the two main chemicals in lithium-ion batteries, alongside Nickel Cobalt Manganese (NCM). Known for its cost effectiveness, LFP is perfect for EVs and energy storage system.

Based on Bain's study of the EV Battery Ecosystem 1, demand global batteries are expected to grow approximately fourfold between 2023 and 2030, driven by increasing EV adoption, positions LFP to play a role important in meeting this demand.

By 2030, NCM is projected to represents about 50% of lithium-ion battery demand, while LFP is expected to accounted for about 35%, with both expected to remain central
future growth of the battery industry.

This strategic partnership focuses on LFP cathode materials that represent the highest added value in the battery value chain, thereby enabling these facilities to capitalize on opportunities presented by this growing market. In 2030, Indonesia is expected to serve an approximately USD 10 billion market in LFP cathode active materials, so that it can make a meaningful contribution to the global transition towards clean energy//VOI

The 2024 Excellent Service Festival entitled "Creating a Transformative, Innovative and Inclusive Public Service Ecosystem" which took place on a hybrid basis in Jakarta, on Tuesday (8/10/2024), (Photo : Perpusnas) - 

VOInews, Jakarta : The National Library of the Republic of Indonesia (Perpusnas) was selected as one of 20 Public Service Innovation Network Hubs (JIPP) established by the Ministry of State Apparatus Empowerment and Bureaucratic Reform of the Republic of Indonesia (Ministry of PANRB).

This determination was conveyed during the 2024 Excellent Service Festival, entitled "Creating a Transformative, Innovative and Inclusive Public Service Ecosystem" which took place on a hybrid basis in Jakarta, on Tuesday (8/10/2024). Apart from the National Library, several agencies designated as JIPP Hubs include the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, DKI Jakarta Province, and the Government Goods/Services Procurement Policy Institute.

National Library Principal Secretary Joko Santoso stated that this determination was a good opportunity for National Library to become one of the network nodes related to bureaucratic reform, especially new innovations to strengthen public services.

According to him, there are several things that the National Library must pay attention to after this determination. The first is that bureaucratic reform must have an impact, especially on National Library public services.

"In this case, it is actually a Social Inclusion Based Library Transformation (TPBIS) program. So far, the social, welfare and economic impacts on society have been real. "That's what we need to strengthen the narrative so that it reaches the minister," he explained.

Second, he emphasized that reform is not just a pile of documents but a hard effort to strengthen performance by making various changes and innovations.

"This is a requirement for public service institutions to become more agile and accelerate changes more quickly, such as demographic changes and changes related to the era of digital disruption," he said.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Tuesday October 8th 2024, Regarding digital disruption, that currently the National Library has started the process of digitizing content, digitizing business processes, including online services. According to him, this reinforces the message that libraries must carry out digital transformation.

Lastly, related to HR competency and performance. He explained that there must be capacity building for National Library institutions that are high performing and network-based so as to create collaboration between libraries and institutions providing information and knowledge.

Regarding services, he emphasized the importance of quality and inclusive public services. The National Library as a public service institution must be able to appreciate the differences in society, respect diversity, and empathize with these differences and diversity.

"We ensure that people wherever they are, whatever their psychological and physiological conditions, must still be able to receive knowledge services as a citizen's right," he said.

In the future, as a follow-up to the National Library's determination to become a JIPP Hub, his party will compile and integrate this into the bureaucratic reform roadmap in the next five years.

"We must immediately prepare and integrate it into the 2025-2029 National Library Strategic Plan (Renstra). "So it can be integrated with our programs and activities for the next five years," he concluded.

PANRB Minister Abdullah Azwar Anas, in his speech, expressed high appreciation to all ministers/heads of institutions/regional heads who have shown real commitment and consistency in realizing public services.

Referring to President Joko Widodo's direction regarding bureaucratic reform, namely a bureaucracy that has an impact, not piles of paper, and an agile and fast bureaucracy, it must be supported by a data-based digital government.

“New Zealand, Singapore, Sweden, and so on are the best countries in the world where the presence of bureaucracy becomes more effective with the high presence of electronic government. "Hopefully the value of our electronic government will continue to rise, so that we can soon have an impact on society," he said.

For information, Indonesia's Electronic Government Development Index ranking has increased significantly. In 2018, Indonesia was ranked 107th while in 2024 it will rise to 64th.

Apart from the establishment of 20 JIPP Hubs, the 2024 Excellent Service Celebration activities were coupled with the presentation of public service awards, the soft launching of 22 Public Service Malls (MPP), as well as the establishment of 139 Digital MPPs (MPPD)//VOI