VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Commemorating the National Consumer Day 2018 on April 20, the National Consumer Protection Agency -BPKN in collaboration with Mercu Buana University held a seminar on National Consumer Day and Food Tourism in Jakarta on Friday (20/4). Before the seminar, Head of BPKN, Ardiansyah Parman along with Rector of Mercu Buana University, Arissetyanto Nugroho signed a Memorandum of Understanding-MoU on consumer education to students. In his speech, Ardiansyah Parman said that through the MoU, cooperation in research and study will be undertaken.

“BPKN has the task of conducting research and study based on the regulation. In the three obligations of college, one of them is to conduct research and study. Therefore, we are signing MoU cooperation in at least these three areas, first research and study, second education and training, and the third is that BPKN encourages the growth of non-governmental consumer protection agencies,” Ardiansyah Parman said.

Ardiansyah Parman further explained that BPKN is willing to provide energy to give general lecture to students about consumer protection.  In return, the University also provides training for BPKN staff as the follow-up of the MoU. Meanwhile, Rector of Mercu Buana University said that National Consumer Protection Agency is a strategic institution. Because, its role can be a driving machine for the nation's economy. Therefore, BPKN needs to get support from all parties, including from universities. (VOI/Rifai/Trans by Rhm)

The Indonesian-Dutch relationship has never been separated from historical ties. The Dutch colonial period left many relics, such as old buildings. Some of which are still used today by government agencies or they are used as museums. The old buildings are not well-maintained. As a consequence, they are already broken due to being too old. Related to the handling of historic old buildings in Indonesia, Economic Counselor of the Royal Netherlands Embassy in Indonesia, Siebe Schuur in a special interview with Voice of Indonesia in Jakarta recently said that the old building restoration remains the responsibility of the Indonesian nation.

“In terms of heritage, in our opinion, it's Indonesia's responsibility. So if someone thinks that we still take part in the restoration of old buildings like in Bandung, Semarang, in Kota Tua or even in Malang, unfortunately it's not true," said Siebe Schuur.

Siebe Schuur also stated that the Dutch side is ready to help, if Indonesia needs the Dutch government as adviser who can provide inputs for the restoration of old buildings, according to the Dutch experience in handling old buildings in the Netherlands. (VOI/Sabrina/Trans by Rhm)

Political Communication expert from University of Indonesia, Effendy Gazali in the Dialectics of Politics at Media Center of the House of Representatives in Jakarta more recently (April 19^th) appreciated the steps of Indonesian House of Representatives –DPR to hold 2018 House of Criticism Contest  as an effort to improve the performance of the House in the future. He disclosed that criticism will bring about changes for the House towards a better state institution.

“Criticism is very important. Even, the criticism that is made very well should have the course. It is made very professionally, and very well; it is very important.” Effendy Gazali said.

As the chair of the jury at the 2018 House of Criticism Contest, Effendy Gazali said the criticism contest can be conducted freely with the creativity of the community, but the jury will look for criticism related to the performance, statements and political attitudes of members or speakers of the House. Effendy also affirmed that criticism should pay respect to Bhineka Tunggal Ika or unity in Diversity and should not contain hate speech or hoax. (VOI/AF/RHM)

European Union Ambassador to Indonesia, Vincent Guerend stated that what has happened in Syria should not be repeated. Thus, the EU supports Syria through humanitarian assistance and political negotiation with Syrian regime. During the European screen opening on Institute Francais D’Indonesie in Jakarta more recently (April 19th 2018), VincentGuerend said that European Union believes that Syrian regime must be fully responsible for this situation.

“What we European believe in Syria is that there has been seven years of horrible bloodshed in this country because of the civil war. We believe that Syrian regime has very strong responsibility in this situation. And we believe that has been some proof that this regime has repeatedly use chemical weapon against its own people and that is unacceptable and its terrible crime. And that is why the EU has supported the move to show this regime that chemical weapon cannot be use should not be use and that’s why in our view legitimate to destroy the chemical arsenal of Syria. At the same time the EU is one of the biggest providers of humanitarian support for the Syrian people both in Syria and the one who had fled to neighboring countries Syria, Lebanon and Jordan in particular we provide great vast amount of aid. And we as much as possible also support the talks between the various Syrian parties in Geneva to find political solution because obviously there’s a must solution that cannot be military solution to a civil war,”VincentGuerend said.

VincentGuerend added that about five days ago, joint military operation among UK, France and United States has been deployed to destroy the chemical weapon arsenal in Syria. He also pointed out that there are no civilian victims on the military operation. (VOI/NK/RHM)