VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

James Cleverly, the UK Foreign Secretary - 

The UK Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, recently set out the UK position on China as combining 2 currents – engaging where we must on issues of global significance (climate, health, trade); and recognising our differences on values and security – and 3 pillars Strengthen our national security protections where there is a threat to our people or our prosperity, Deepen our cooperation and strengthen our alignment with friends and partners in the Indo-Pacific and across the world, Engage directly with China, bilaterally and multilaterally, to preserve and create open, constructive and stable relations, reflecting China’s global importance. 

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Saturday, Britain will engage on issues of global significance but recognise their differences on values and security. 

Recognising the depth and complexity of Chinese history and civilisation – something that would be mirrored in UK policy – and the myriad achievements of the Chinese people, the Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, said that Chinese inventions – paper, printing, gunpowder, the compass – have transformed the fortunes of the whole of humanity.

Then calamities struck, one after another; some caused by foreign aggression; others coming from within China itself. Yet the last 45 years have seen another astonishing reversal. By releasing the enterprising genius of its people, China has achieved the biggest and fastest economic expansion the world has ever known.

Acknowledging the challenges, the Foreign Secretary added that “We should have every confidence in our collective ability to engage robustly and also constructively with China, not as an end in itself, but to manage risks and produce results.

Meanwhile The Indonesian Ambassador to Indonesia, Owen Jenkins said that the Foreign Secretary has set out a clear-eyed and pragmatic approach to China, avoiding cheap soundbites and recognising that they need to achieve three things to protect their national security, align with their friends, and engage and trade with China where their interests converge.

"We believe that our partners will recognise that this honest and open approach is the right one to build stability, openness and transparency in the Indo-Pacific. Indonesia has a special place in the region, as a hugely important partner and in its role as  the Chair of ASEAN in 2023. We will continue to engage actively with Indonesia to shape the future of Indo-Pacific as an open, stable and inclusive region, with ASEAN at its centre”, Indonesian Ambassador to Indonesia, Owen Jenkins added//VOI

Weekend Talk - 

The National Library of Indonesia held an event entitled "Weekend Talk" on Saturday (27/05/23) in Jakarta. During the event, a book entitled "Clashing the Waves Through the Clouds" by Rosihan Arsyad and Monica Anggreni shared stories about their daily lives as pilots and commercial pilots.

Deputy for Development of Library Materials and Information Services at the National Library, Mariana Ginting, said reading, thinking, writing and creating activities are interconnected cycles. Books as a product of the creative process become a trigger in encouraging the strengthening of community literacy.

"This work presented at least contributes in terms of the availability of literature and alternative reading sources," added Mariana.

In a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Saturday, seaman pilot (Purn) Rear Admiral Rosihan Arsyad and captain pilot Monica Anggreni proved that anyone can do writing regardless of their professional background.

The literacy weekend which has been held for the fifth time is a book talk activity in collaboration with music and literacy with a gathering-style concept.

"The theme of the talk was chosen so that it is not too serious. It is hoped that many parties will follow in their footsteps to write and share knowledge," concluded the CHI leader, (Purn) Marshal TNI Chappy Hakim// VOI

IOM and BPS meeting on Wednesday (24/05/23) - 

Jakarta - The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), today held a meeting between ministries and agencies to develop a roadmap for One International Migration Data or SDMI, in Jakarta. The meeting was opened by the Director of Population and Employment Statistics, Ali Said, and was attended by around 100 participants coming from various ministries and government agencies, local governments, UN organizations, and non-governmental organizations related to migration. This coordination meeting is part of the collaboration between IOM and BPS in facilitating the continued design and implementation of SDMI.

Initiated by BPS since 2019, SDMI was formed to be able to support the preparation and implementation of policies and programs related to migration that are more targeted, as well as encourage the positive impacts and minimize the negative impacts of migration. SDMI is also expected to be able to contribute in measuring Indonesia's achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the goals of the Global Compact for Migration (GCM), as well as realizing the protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI), in accordance with Law no. 18 of 2017.

SDMI is also expected to be able to contribute to the achievement of the current National Medium Term Development Plan (RPJMN), as well as in the preparation of the National Long Term Development Plan (RPJPN) and the next RPJMN which will be updated in 2025.

"I believe that with strong cooperation between ministries and agencies, we can produce a solid and comprehensive framework to achieve One Indonesian Data and One International Migration Data will be one of the important efforts in making it happen. HRI is expected to be a reference for making policies and programs related to international migration," said Ali Said.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Wednesday, IOM, the United Nations (UN) agency for migration affairs, has been supporting many countries in the world in increasing the capacity and management of migration data as stated in IOM's Global Strategy on Migration Data. Joshua Hart, as IOM Indonesia's Senior Program Coordinator conveyed IOM's support to the Government of Indonesia in implementing data and evidence-based migration policies.

“It is very important for us to understand that data is “more than just numbers”.Data plays an important role to improve the lives of migrants. Data can be used to identify challenges, design responses, monitor policy implementation, and evaluate the impact of migration policies," said Joshua.

Apart from being one of the highest sending countries for migrant workers in Asia, Indonesia is also a migration destination country. Every year, around 150,000 – 250,000 Indonesian migrant workers (PMI) work abroad. Meanwhile, there are around 100,000-200,000 foreign workers currently working in Indonesia and there are approximately 13,000 refugees and asylum seekers from abroad who are in Indonesia waiting for a long-term solution to the situation they are facing.

At the global level, Indonesia is also one of the 33 leading countries (Champion Country) for the implementation of the Global Agreement on Migration which was adopted in 2018 by 163 countries in the world, where one of the objectives of the GCM is to improve migration policies based on data and evidence.

The HRI Roadmap or Roadmap that will be prepared in the next few months is expected to support the Government of Indonesia in identifying strategies, priorities, challenges, and needs in designing, implementing, and monitoring the operationalization of SDMI.

The process of preparing the Road Map will include reviewing literature and good practices from other countries, interviews, workshops, as well as focus group discussions with various relevant ministries and institutions at the national and regional levels.

Organizing coordination meetings and preparing the SDMI Roadmap is carried out through the Asia Regional Migration Program which is being implemented by IOM in 12 countries, including Indonesia, with support from the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, Ministry of Foreign Affairs United States of America. The main objective of this program is to enhance the capability of governments in the Asian Region in sustainable and humane migration management//VOI

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Menko Marves) Luhut B. Pandjaitan meeting with Zhejiang University - 

In September 2020, the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Kemenko Marves) together with the International Cooperation Center of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the Development of a Research and Innovation Center for Conservation of China-Indonesian Medicinal Plants. The agreement involves Zhejiang University and has resulted in research collaboration and capacity building.

To monitor the progress of this collaboration, on Monday (22-05-2023) the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Menko Marves) Luhut B. Pandjaitan held a meeting with Zhejiang University. One of the aspects discussed in the previously signed MoU was the establishment of Herbal Centers and the development of agriculture through the Horticulture Herbal Technology Science Park (TSTH2) and Food Estates in North Sumatra, Central Kalimantan and Central Sulawesi.

The NDRC has appointed Zhejiang University as a partner in this matter. "Zhejiang University has advantages in the field of agriculture with superior universities and industries. Therefore, we hope that this collaboration can encourage related sectors," said Coordinating Minister Luhut.

Currently, the government is building various supporting facilities for TSTH2, such as agricultural and medicinal plant research laboratories, dormitories, smart green houses, and laboratory equipment. IT Del, appointed by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology, is collaborating with Zhejiang University in managing TSTH2. In addition, Tsinghua University's Tsinghua Southeast Asia Center will also support capacity building for students and educators.

In this meeting, Coordinating Minister Luhut asked Zhejiang University and the NDRC to implement the existing MoU and immediately take follow-up steps. Several representatives from the NDRC and the Embassy of the People's Republic of China for Indonesia visited TSTH2 located in North Sumatra and had discussions with IT Del.

"The research plan has been formulated in a roadmap. The proposal has been made by IT Del together with leading universities in Indonesia and several other agencies," said Coordinating Minister Luhut.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Tuesday, in the proposal, Indonesia submits further research on genomic and plant breeding, especially jernang (dragon blood), turmeric, and frankincense. However, commodity options can be further discussed between the two parties.

"We hope that this research will produce concrete things and Indonesian President Joko Widodo can sign a memorandum of understanding during his visit this year," hoped Coordinating Minister Luhut.

For information, during the 2022 G20 Summit, Indonesia and China also signed an MoU on the Development of the Center for Research and Innovation for Conservation of China-Indonesia Medicinal Plants. This MoU was signed by the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment and the NDRC and witnessed by President Joko Widodo and President Xi Jinping//VOI