VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Bali exports of various types of jewelry made by skilled craftsmen mostly from Celuk Village, Gianyar Regency reached 7.31 million US dollars during November 2017 or up 1.26 million US dollars compared to the previous month. Head of Bali Provincial Central Statistics Agency AdiNugroho said in Denpasar on Sunday that the foreign exchange gain compared to the same month in the previous year also increased by by 5.18 percent.AdiNugroho said that the export of various types of jewelry is mostly to Germany, followed by the United States, Australia, and others. It is exported to many countries around the world, because various types of Balinese jewelry, especially those made of silver, are highly in demand by consumers overseas with a fairly affordable price.//ant.21.1'18.mar/alika

Good news finally came to Indonesia Friday night (19/01/2018), when two citizens , La Utu and La Hadi, fishermen from Wakatobiwho were abducted by the Abu Sayyaf group in Kertamwaters, Sabah, Malaysia, November 5, 2016 , were finally released. Currently, both are in Zamboanga city for a medical check up, before being sent home. Director of Indonesian Citizens Protection and Legal Aid, Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lalu Muhammad Iqbal, when interviewed by RRI on Saturday (20/02/2018) ensured that in the process of freeing the two fishermen, there was no payment of ransom to Abu Sayyaf group .

"The government has never negotiated with the hostage taker, because it means negotiating with the criminals. So, we put forward the role of the family and we accompanied the family, " Lalu Muhammad Iqbal said.

Muhammad Iqbal added that the release of the two fishermen who were brought to the waters of Sulu, the southern Philippines, was the result of intensive negotiations on the part of the families with the hostage takers that ran for almost 14 years. Meanwhile, both La Utu and La Hadi were declared in good condition. Lalu Muhammad Iqbal said that, in addition to medical examinations, the process fortrauma healing was also focused on them., before eventually being repatriated. Meanwhile, Iqbal stated that the Indonesian government is currently still working hard for the release of three other Indonesians kidnapped by different groups of hostage takers in the waters of Taganak Islands, Sabah, Malaysia, on January 18, 2017 and currently are being held hostage in Sulu waters, Southern Philippines. // Retno-Mar

Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla appreciated a good relationship with Japan for 60 years. Jusuf Kalla considers Japan as one of the major countries and major trading partner for Indonesia. Vice President Jusuf Kalla in his speech during commemoration of the 60th anniversary of Japan and Indonesia Diplomatic Relations on Saturday (20/01/2018) said that Japan is currently the 2nd largest investor in Indonesia and one of the main trading partners. the company invests in Indonesia and has contributed to boost the competitiveness and promote the Indonesian economy. He said the political side of the two countries also has a solid cooperation. Strategic agreements and partnerships for a peaceful and prosperous future. The same thing was also expressed by Special Envoy of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Y. Toshihiro Nikai. He welcomed and was proud of the close ties between the two countries that has reached 60 years. In the future, he said, this relationship must be maximized from heart to heart.///(KBRN-AHM)