VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

West Java Provincial Police Chief Inspector General Agung Budi Maryoto has confirmed the death toll of bootleg alcohol case surged to 61.

"Of the 61 victims, 42 were in Cicalengka, seven in Bandung, two in Cianjur, seven in Pelabuhan Ratu, Sukabumi, and one in Ciamis," Maryoto said in Bandung on Sunday.

The West Java police investigated the case to look for producers and sellers of the homemade alcohol that claimed many lives, he said. At least 82 people died recently after consuming adulterated alcoholic drinks containing toxic substances in Jakarta and West Java. Several others were sick and hospitalized early this month after consuming bootleg alcohol tainted with various ingredients including mosquito repellent. At least 12 people were detained Jakarta and West Java on suspicion of making and selling the illegal liquor.

Deputy Chief of the National Police Commissioner General Syafruddin earlier stated that the police had set a target to make Indonesia free of bootleg alcohol by the end of April 2018 or before the upcoming Ramadhan fasting month.

According to Syafruddin, the case of homemade alcohol locally called "miras oplosan" is a classic issue that has now re-emerged as a new trend.

"This is an old crime but is being committed through a new method. This crime has long been committed in the community," he remarked.

Ciletuh-Pelabuhanratu geopark has officially been declared as part of the UNESCO Global Geopark (UGG) which will be a new history for tourism in West Java. West Java governor Ahmad Heryawan said here on Sunday besides Ciletuh UNESCO has also confirmed 12 geoparks in 11 countries as UGG at the 204th meeting of UNESCO Executive Board, External Relations and Program Commission, in Paris, France, on Thursday.

Aher said he received information about the declaration of Ciletuh as UGG from the head of tourism and culture of Sukabumi district, Budiman, who represented West Java in the UNESCO meeting.

"Two days ago we heard from a UNESCO meeting in Paris, France, that UNESCO has agreed to confirm several geoparks in the world," he said.

"Two of them are from Indonesia which are Ciletuh-Pelabuhanratu and Rinjani geopark in West Nusa Tenggara," Aher said.

He said the process of confirmation had been very fast as usually it takes ten years after being nationally confirmed.

"Three years ago the central government declared Ciletuh-Pelabuhanratu as a national geopark and after that we immediately submitted it to UNESCO for confirmation as UGG and thank God it has been accepted," he said.

"It was found that it is the fastest process. It takes only three years before it is declared as UGG," he said.

The handing over of the certificate is scheduled in September 2018. The decision has been made and the certificate will be handed over together with those of others in Portugal, Aher said. (antara)

At least 74 delegates from neighboring countries are scheduled to attend the commemoration of the Asian-African Conference packed in a carnival on April 29. This was conveyed by the Head of Marketing Department of Culture and Tourism of Bandung, West Java, Aswin Sulaeman, as quoted by Antara, on Saturday(14/4). It will be the 4th carnival event held in Bandung. Aswin Sulaeman also said that delegates will walk on the main streets or tracking the history of the 1955 Asian-African Conference. In addition to the Asian-African carnival, the technical implementation unit of the Asian African Conference Museum also held various activities. Moreover, a series of commemorations of the Asian-African Conference has been going on since last March. The series of activities will be closed with flag-raising ceremony of 109 Asian-African countries and the United Nations by 400 scouts from Bandung Scouts Movement. (Antara/trs.Rezha)

The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has designated Mount Rinjani in the Indonesian island of Lombok as a world geopark, a spokesman stated.

"Thank God, I have just received news at its meeting in Paris on Thursday (Apr 13) that the UNESCO executive board has designated Geopark Rinjani as a new member of the UNESCO Global Parks," General Manager of Geopark Rinjani Chairul Mahsul stated on Saturday.

Mahsul, who is also an assistant for economy and development of the secretariat of the West Nusa Tenggara provincial administration, expressed gratitude to all parties for their assistance in achieving the Global Geopark status.

"I should like to thank all my Rinjani friends that have helped achieve the Global Geopark status," he noted.

Mount Rinjani is located in the Mount Rinjani National Park that straddles the four districts of Lombok Utara, Lombok Barat, Lombok Tengah, and Lombok Timur in West Nusa Tenggara Province.

One of the charms of the national park is Lake Segara Anak, located 2,010 meters above sea level. Part of the lake is located in the 3,726-meter-high volcano. (ANTARA)