VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Menko Marves) Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, when received the title of Honorary Professor from Tsinghua University (Photo : Kemenkomarves) - 

VOInews, Beijing : Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Menko Marves) Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, officially received the title of Honorary Professor from Tsinghua University in a ceremony held today in Beijing, China (12-6-2024).

In his speech, Coordinating Minister Luhut recalled his life journey and the values ​​of hard work inherited from his father, a former AKAP bus driver in Sibualbuali.

"It was his hard work and never give up attitude that changed the course of his life, making him the first person in Indonesia to study at Cornell University. This attitude is also what I emulate to become a professional, wherever I work," said Coordinating Minister Luhut.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Thursday (13/06/24), Tsinghua University mandated this title to Coordinating Minister Luhut because of his significant contribution in strengthening friendly relations between Indonesia and China, which is considered to have brought benefits to both countries and the region.

Coordinating Minister Luhut said that he immediately reported the news regarding the awarding of this title to President Joko Widodo.

"The President wants me to receive it. I also asked Tsinghua why they mandated this title. They said that I contributed to the establishment of very close friendly relations between Indonesia and China," explained Coordinating Minister Luhut.

Coordinating Minister Luhut added that so far he had received several offers of similar awards from other universities, but had always refused.

"How is that possible? Graduates of the Military Academy who only understand the words ready and carry out, never liked studying algebra and mathematics, received an honorable degree from a branch of science. Moreover, this degree came from the number 1 campus in Asia and the 12th best in the world," he added. .

Coordinating Minister Luhut expressed his gratitude to the Chinese Government for the strong sense of friendship and mutual trust that has existed over the years. He hopes that the friendship between the two countries will continue to exist and become stronger.

"I will dedicate this mandate as a commitment to continue serving the nation and state, in improving the quality of Indonesian education which is superior and competitive in order to prepare for the Golden Indonesia era 2045," concluded Coordinating Minister Luhut//VOI

Air Quality in some cities around the world (Photo : WMO) - 

VOInews, Jakarta : Amid mounting concern about the health and environmental impacts of air pollution, a new report from the World Meteorological Organization points out the potential for low-cost sensor systems to assess levels of air pollution, identify sources and to support air quality strategies to reduce them.

Low-cost sensor systems (LCS) represent a key tool for filling gaps in existing global and local air quality monitoring networks and contributing information for policy-relevant air quality strategies.

In recent years, wide-scale deployments of LCS have been made in low- and middle-income countries, where they often provide air quality information in regions lacking the more traditional (and more expensive) reference grade monitors.

In high-income countries, they supplement existing reference grade monitors with more localized near real-time air quality information – for instance, to monitor fire and smoke or vehicle emissions on busy roads.

“Air quality forecasting involving low-cost sensors is an increasingly important field due to its potential to support widespread monitoring and early warning systems, particularly in areas lacking more traditional monitors. Air quality forecasting is important to support effective decision-making to manage air quality impacts, especially in terms of human health. They are an important additional tool which can be harnessed at the community level to make a real difference in people’s lives,” said Sara Basart, WMO Scientific Officer and one of the report's authors.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Thursday (13/06/24), the report, Integrating Low-Cost Sensor Systems and Networks to Enhance Air Quality Applications, was produced by WMO’s Global Atmosphere Watch network in collaboration with the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), International Global Atmospheric Chemistry project (IGAC) and international experts on technical and application areas.

It was released to coincide with the WMO Executive Council meeting, which has a focus on transforming science and practical services for society.

“Life begins and is sustained with breath, but too many around the world are suffering health problems and death due to breathing dirty air. Data-driven policy action towards combating air pollution is critical for efforts to improve global air quality – the more tools we have to support this, the greater our chances of recreating healthy environments for all life on earth,” said Richard Munang, Head of Global Environment Monitoring Systems and Early Warning for Environment Unit at UNEP.

The effects of air pollution lead to an estimated 7 million deaths every year, according to WHO. 

Mounting evidence links ambient and household air pollution to various health outcomes like non-communicable diseases including respiratory, cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases, cancer, low birth weight, diabetes, cognitive impairment and mental health impacts//VOI

VOInews, Jakarta: President Joko Widodo officially opened the Jakarta Fair 2024 at Pekan Raya Jakarta, Kemayoran, Jakarta, on Wednesday evening, June 12 2024. This annual event, which has become one of the icons of the city of Jakarta, was held again for the 55th time and attracted interest residents from various regions in Indonesia.

"The Jakarta Fair is an event that is eagerly awaited by the people of Jakarta, the people of Jakarta and also the people of Jabodetabek, as well as Indonesia," said the President.

In his speech, President Jokowi said that the Jakarta Fair is an event that is eagerly awaited by the public because it offers a variety of entertainment and shopping at affordable prices. Apart from that, the Jakarta Fair also presents a variety of festivities ranging from culinary delights, rides, carnival parades, to music concerts.

Last year's Jakarta Fair managed to attract more than 6 million visitors, an impressive figure and proof of the importance of this event in the Jakarta city calendar.

Chair of the Jakarta Fair Kemayoran 2024 Organizing Committee, Karuna Murdaya, said that the Jakarta Fair 2024 was attended by 2,550 booths and 1,550 tenants. He targets sales at the 2024 Jakarta Fair to reach IDR 7.5 trillion.

"The sales target is around IDR 7.5 trillion and the visitor target is similar to last year, but a little shorter," he said.

Murdaya also noted an increase in interest in several segments such as electric cars and cosmetics. He is also optimistic that the 2024 Jakarta Fair will run smoothly and successfully.

"Usually this is the first day of the Jakarta Fair and it is a bit quiet, but you can see here that the first night the enthusiasm is very high. "If we can look at the upcoming school holiday , hopefully this year's target we can achieve higher sales than last year," he said.

Also accompanying President Jokowi at the event were Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Hadi Tjahjanto, Minister of Communication and Information Budi Arie Setiadi, Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi, Minister of Cooperatives and SMEs Teten Masduki, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto, National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, and Acting. Governor of DKI Jakarta Heru Budi Hartono.

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut B. Pandjaitan met with Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) Zheng Shanjie in Beijing, (Photo : Kemenkomarves) - 

VOInews, Beijing : Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut B. Pandjaitan met with Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) Zheng Shanjie in Beijing on Wednesday (12/6/2024).

Coordinating Minister Luhut said that Indonesia was highly committed to realizing the energy transition and building a renewable energy industry. In this way, Coordinating Minister Luhut hopes that the NDRC will support the battery project in the Buli industrial area.

"I hope that NDRC can support the collaboration between CBL (a joint venture of CATL, Brunp, and Lygend) and IBC (Indonesia Battery Corporation) for the production of battery materials projects and battery recycling projects in the Buli industrial area, North Maluku," he said.

Apart from the Buli industrial area, Coordinating Minister Luhut also touched on the North Kalimantan industrial area. This area will be a game changer and a model of cooperation for developing countries. The Indonesian government has adjusted regulations to ensure safe collateral for raw materials for petrochemical projects.

"I hope Mr. Zheng can support the implementation of this North Kalimantan industrial area. "Apart from that, we continue to support Chinese investors who will build glass factories (PV Glass) in Indonesia, including North Kalimantan," he added.

Another collaboration is the export of Indonesian Durian to China. The NDRC team has visited North Sumatra and Central Sulawesi which have great potential.

After this, Coordinating Minister Luhut will have a meeting with the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) to encourage the Import of Durian Protocol.

Coordinating Minister Luhut also stated that on the sidelines of the 10th World Water Forum on 20 May 2024 in Bali, the LoI Global Blended Finance Alliance (GBFA) had been signed which could support Indonesia-China blended finance cooperation in various fields.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Wednesday (12/06/24), Shanghai and Hong Kong can become centers for blended finance in China and collaborate with international organizations that support South-South Cooperation. China Development Bank is a partner of Tri Hita Karana which plays an important role in pioneering blended finance//VOI