VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOI, Jakarta - The Indonesian and Singaporean governments have discussed six issues related to digital transformation as part of a series of information exchanges between the two countries.

Secretary general of the Ministry of Communication and Information Mira Tayyiba said that the issue of digital transformation was discussed at a recent bilateral meeting considering the rapid development of digitalization in both countries.

"The meeting discussed six issues, namely memorandum of understanding (MoU), digital road map, data protection, digital economy, digital infrastructure, and media," she noted in a statement released by the ministry on Thursday.

The bilateral meeting was held in Jakarta on October 25, 2023, as part of the 9th Information and Communication Joint Committee (ICJC) Indonesia-Singapore's agenda.

The two governments expressed the hope that the meeting would help generate inputs on regulating policies following the development of digitalization, which has continued to grow rapidly, Tayyiba informed.

One of the interesting discussions at the bilateral meeting was related to the preparation of an MoU on digital transformation between Indonesia and Singapore, she revealed.

She said she believes that the MoU has the potential to expand existing cooperation and help overcome existing challenges in the digital landscape for the two parties.

"The discussion regarding the upcoming important agenda will open up opportunities to gather new perspectives and ideas to overcome challenges and obstacles. It can also encourage collaboration for the mutual benefit of both countries," she added.

Meanwhile, head of the International Cooperation Center of the Secretariat General of the Ministry of Communication and Information, Ichwan Makmur Nasution, said that this year's ICJC was the first in-person meeting after the COVID-19 pandemic.

He deemed the meeting important for exchanging information to develop digitalization in both countries.

"Next year, we will conduct the 10th meeting in Singapore. We hope we can practice a deeper format, such as working group format," Nasution added. (Antaranews)

VOINews, Jakarta - Russia and China on Wednesday vetoed a U.S. push for the United Nations Security Council to act on the Israel-Hamas conflict by calling for pauses in fighting to allow humanitarian aid access, the protection of civilians and a stop to arming Hamas and other militants in the Gaza Strip.

The United States put forward a draft resolution on Saturday as global outcry grew over a worsening humanitarian crisis and mounting civilian death toll in Gaza. It made the move just days after it vetoed a humanitarian focused draft from Brazil, arguing more time was needed for U.S.-led diplomacy.

The initial U.S. text shocked many diplomats with its bluntness in stating Israel has a right to defend itself and demanding Iran stop exporting arms to militant groups. It did not include a call for humanitarian pauses for aid access. But it largely toned down the final text that was put to the vote.

"We did listen to all of you," U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield told the 15-member council after the double veto, which she described as disappointing. "Though today’s vote was a setback, we must not be deterred."

It was a rare move by the United States to suggest Security Council action. Washington has traditionally shielded its ally Israel at the world body.

Ten members voted for the U.S. text, while the United Arab Emirates voted no and Brazil and Mozambique abstained.

"The draft does not reflect the world's strongest calls for a ceasefire, an end to the fighting, and it does not help resolve the issue," China's U.N. Ambassador Zhang Jun told the council after the vote. "At this moment, ceasefire is not just a diplomatic term. It means the life and death of many civilians."

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has been appealing for a humanitarian ceasefire.

'OBLIGATION TO ACT'

In the wake of the Security Council deadlock, the 193-member U.N. General Assembly will vote on Friday on a draft resolution put forward by Arab states that calls for a ceasefire. No country holds a veto in the General Assembly. Resolutions are non-binding, but carry political weight.

Israel has vowed to wipe out Hamas, which rules Gaza, in retaliation for an Oct. 7 attack that killed 1,400 people. Israel has struck Gaza from the air, imposed a siege on the enclave of 2.3 million people and is preparing a ground invasion. Palestinian authorities say more than 6,500 have been killed.

Russia's U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia accuses the U.S. of putting up a draft resolution that represented Security Council authorization of a ground offensive in Gaza by Israel "while thousands of Palestinian children will continue to die."

After the double veto, the Security Council then voted on a rival Russian-drafted text that called for a humanitarian ceasefire and withdrawal of Israel's order for civilians in Gaza to relocate south ahead of a ground assault.

Russia failed to the get minimum amount of support needed, winning only four votes. A resolution needs at least nine votes and no vetoes by the United States, France, Britain, Russia or China to be adopted.

It was Russia's second attempt at a resolution. Only five council members voted in favor of a Russian text on Oct. 16.

The elected 10 members of the Security Council now plan to work on a new draft resolution, Malta's U.N. Ambassador Vanessa Frazier said.

"This crisis is also gripped by a growing risk of a regional spill over. This demands our undivided attention," she said. "We have the duty and the obligation to act." (Reuters)

VOINews, Jakarta - Israeli ground forces operated within the northern Gaza Strip on Thursday, attacking multiple Hamas targets before withdrawing, the military said in a statement on what Israel's Army Radio described as the biggest incursion of the current war.

Video of the overnight action issued by the military showed armoured vehicles proceeding through a sandy border zone. A bulldozer is seen levelling part of a raised bank, tanks fire shells, and explosions are seen near or amid a row of damaged buildings.

The military statement posted online said the incursion was carried out "in preparation for the next stages of combat", a possible reference to the large-scale invasion that Israeli leaders have threatened as part of the war to destroy Hamas.

"The soldiers have since exited the area and returned to Israeli territory," the military statement added.

Israel began localised ground incursions on Sunday as the war, triggered by an Oct 7 cross-border rampage by Hamas gunmen, entered its third week. Israel's Army Radio described Thursday's incursion as the biggest yet.

There was no immediate comment from Hamas in Gaza. (Reuters)

VOINews, Jakarta - Indonesia is committed to achieving its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and net zero emission targets by 2050 or sooner.

"In the long run, there are opportunities for the development of solar and geothermal power facilities," advisor to the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Ego Syahrial, noted in a statement received here on Thursday.

Syahrial made the statement at the Just Energy Transition Conference, themed "Pathways to a Prosperous Indonesia - Powered by Renewable Energy," held by the European Union Delegation (EUD) to Indonesia on October 24-25 in Jakarta.

The conference brought together various stakeholders in the energy sector, ranging from the government, international organizations, the private sector, and civil society.

Syahrial noted that Indonesia also seeks to accelerate energy transition by developing hydropower, nuclear, and green hydrogen facilities along with the total phase-out of coal-fired power plants by 2058.

Deputy for Maritime Affairs and Natural Resources of the National Development Planning Ministry (Bappenas), Vivi Yulaswati, stated that a green economy and net zero policies are important in realizing Indonesia's long-term development plan.

"Green financing, such as carbon tax and carbon pricing, will be the main instruments in the implementation (of net zero programs)," she remarked.

Director General of New, Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation of the ESDM Ministry, Yudho Dwinanda Priaadi, stated that Indonesia seeks to optimize coverage of renewable energy through the super grid project.

The super grid development aims to integrate the electricity grid throughout the islands in Indonesia.

He remarked that Indonesia is also able to supply electricity to remote islands by converting diesel power plants to environmentally friendly hybrid batteries.

EU Ambassador to Indonesia, Denis Chaibi, revealed that the European team has confirmed a €2.4 billion-worth commitment for the Just Energy Transition Partnership in Indonesia. (Antaranews)