VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesian Communication and Information Technology Minister Rudiantara targets all regencies/cities across Indonesia to be connected by high-speed internet by 2019, so everyone can access information anywhere The minister said in Yogyakarta on Sunday(25/2) that the government sides with the people and by 2019 all regencies/cities in Indonesia will be connected by high-speed internet backbone. Minister stated that information supported by high-speed internet is a must in this day and age as information media is shifted from print, electronic and television to online and social media. Minister Rudiantara mentioned that almost 90 percent of regencies/cities in Indonesia are connected by the internet, so by 2019 he expects supporting infrastructure of information technology will be ready. He added, there are 30 regencies/cities in Papua and West Papua that didn’t have high-speed internet backbone infrastructure and government has built such infrastructure there. (Antara)

President Joko Widodo officially opened the 2018 Presidential Cup Sholawat Nusantara Festival on Saturday at Sentul International Convention Center, Bogor, West Java. In his remarks, the President welcomed the Festival as a starting point for Muslim community for conducting positive acts both in for the nation and State. The President further hoped that the Festival will play its role to maintain nation’s unity, not only among Muslims, but also in maintaining inter-religious harmony within the country.

 “By saying Bismillah, let us start things positively. With Sholawat, let us bring together brotherhood, unity, and harmony between us. Let's start with the good things. With God's permission, let us do the good things. Positive thinking, mutual respect, and continue to always uphold the values ​​of religion, upholding the values ​​of ethics, values ​​of character,” the President said in his remarks.

Sholawat Nusantara Festival is held with the theme of Love the Prophet. The initiator of the festival, Nusron Wahid said that this festival is intended to take care of tradition and local wisdom, as well as to revive the wealth of the Archipelagic Islam.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Committee, Abdul Gofar Rozin Sahal, said in festival is held throughout the archipelago from village to urban areas. He mentioned that the participants are not required present sholawat in Arabic language as they are able to present it in Indonesian and local languages. Sholawat Nusantara Festival is participated in by various study groups, Islamic Boarding Schools, and students, even study groups in offices, State-Owned Enterprises, and various religious organizations in the community. The peak of the celebration is scheduled to be held at the same time with National Islamic Students day celebration on October 22nd. (VOI/Ndy/ahm)

The Opening of Yogyakarta Chinese Cultural Festival Week 2018 succedeed to attract many tourists. In his speech at the event, Yogyakarta Special Region Governor, Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X (10th), said this activity proves if tolerance still exist in Yogyakarta. Chairman of the Yogyakarta Chinese Cultural Festival Week, Tri Kirana Muslidatun, in Yogyakarta, Saturday (24/2) said, based on data, the number of tourists who attended the opening held at Jalan Malioboro, Ketandan Village, and the North Square palace reached 50,000. He explained, the number wasin line with target. As reported by the Ministry of Tourism official website, although a part of the celebration of Chinese New Year and Cap Go Meh, the culture of the archipelago is featured in the festival. One of the attractions that attract attention is the action of dance group Praginagong Yogyakarta. According to the Head of Marketing Area I Java, Wawan Gunawan, it needs seriousness to work on this event to be a tourism event, by prioritizing the needed criteria in organizing an event. It aims to make the event as national or even international event. (Kemenpar)

President Director of Indonesia Tourism Development Corporation -ITDC, Abdulbar M. Mansoer, in Nusa Dua, Sunday (25/2) said that the corporation held Chinese New Year Festival 2569/2018 at Peninsula Island, Nusa Dua, Bali on 24 and 25 February to welcome Chinese tourists. This was stated by // As written by Antara, Abdulbar Mansoer explained, the festival is also held to appreciate Chinese tourists who have a significant number of occupancy in local hotel. According to him, the activity is also one of the efforts of the corporation to restore Chinese tourist’s visit to Bali after the eruption of Mount Agung. Abdulbar Mansoer added that so far, Chinese tourists are very enthusiastic to visit a number of tourist areas managed by PT Tourism Development Indonesia. (Antara)