VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOINews, Jakarta - The Indonesian government is preparing various strategies to deal with the implementation of the European Union Deforestation-free Regulation (EUDR), the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs stated.

According to the ministry's Deputy for Food and Agribusiness Coordination, Musdhalifah Machmud, the strategies are also being formulated with the aim of dismissing accusations that Indonesia's palm oil industry neglects sustainability aspects.

"We are currently devising strategies to respond to the accusations of our palm oil products not being sustainable," she remarked virtually during the 2023 Indonesian Palm Oil Research Week (PERISAI) event in Surabaya, East Java, on Wednesday.

Machmud explained that the first strategy concerns the government's effort to revise Presidential Regulation No. 44 of 2022 regarding the system of Indonesian sustainable palm oil plantation certification.

Machmud elaborated on the regulation, saying that it mandates business actors to obtain Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) certificates. She remarked that the government plans to expand the regulation, so it can accommodate provisions related to sustainability aspects.

"We will soon expand the presidential regulation to accommodate sustainability provisions," she remarked.

Shedding light on the next strategy, Machmud explained that the government is developing a clearing house that will bring together relevant stakeholders to discuss matters related to the goal of realizing a sustainable palm oil industry.

She then pointed out that the government had earlier formed a joint task force to handle various issues faced by Indonesia and Malaysia in connection with the implementation of the EUDR.

The task force was established as a platform that can help Indonesia, Malaysia, and the European Union reach a common understanding regarding the regulation, she remarked.

Furthermore, she highlighted that Indonesia had held the first meeting of the joint task force in August this year, resulting in the objection to the exclusion of smallholders in trade activities between Indonesia and the European Union.

"The second result is related to the sustainability scheme. We have been implementing the scheme since 2011, and we want our sustainability efforts to be acknowledged by the European Union," the official affirmed.

The second meeting of the joint task force is scheduled on December 12 this year.

"We, the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, and the Secretariat of the CPOPC (Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries) will hold various meetings to harbor suggestions and find solutions to the issues," she concluded. (Antaranews)

VOINews, Jakarta - Indonesia urges the UN Security Council (UNSC) to act immediately to stop the escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in Gaza and address the humanitarian crisis.

Every second wasted without real action from the Security Council has a dire impact on the Palestinians in Gaza. Indonesia strongly condemns the continued Israeli aggression against civilians in Gaza (24/10).

"I would like to remind that the Security Council has a great responsibility to maintain peace and security, not to allow prolonged war or help one of the parties continue the war," the Indonesian Foreign Minister said during the UN Security Council High-Level Open Debate on the situation in the Middle East held in New York, October 24, 2023.

The Foreign Minister also said that the Security Council must not remain silent witnessing the disasters and crimes against humanity that are taking place in Palestine. Attacks on hospitals and places of worship, blockade of electricity, water, fuel, and expulsion of Gazans are carried out by Israel in the name of collective punishment.

At the same time, civilians are being held hostage and face threats to their lives.

"I would like to ask how the Security Council will carry out its responsibilities? When will the Security Council stop the war in Gaza, realize a ceasefire, open access to humanitarian assistance, call for the release of civilians, and stop the illegal occupation by Israel?" the Foreign Minister asked.

She added that every second wasted due to political differences and failure to reach consensus is a defeat for humanity and exacerbates instability.

"How many more lives must be sacrificed before the Security Council takes action?" she asked.

Retno emphasized that Indonesia is wasting no time in mobilizing international support for immediate action. Through the OIC, ASEAN, and ASEAN-GCC, D8 meetings, Indonesia called for a unified voice to urge the cessation of violence and focus on the issue of humanitarian disasters.

Indonesia urged three things to be done immediately, namely:

First, a joint call for an immediate ceasefire.

"The silence amidst the deafening whizzing of bullets and rocket explosions is appalling. Absolute support for either side has fueled disproportionate use of force, violations of international humanitarian law, and impunity. It is our collective duty to end the cycle of violence before it escalates into a regional and global catastrophe," the Foreign Minister said.

Second, prioritize humanitarian access.

"More than 2 million Gazans' lives are at risk due to lack of access to basic needs. Humanitarian aid convoys are constrained and threatened by crossfire. The Security Council must immediately urge safe and smooth access to humanitarian assistance and respect for international humanitarian law," said the Foreign Minister.

Third, humanity must be returned to the Security Council

"Please use your great power for humanity. Palestinians deserve equal rights and treatment. We are all human beings. We all deserve to have a home. We must reject the expulsion of Palestinians. Do not let the tragedy of 1948 happen again," she said.

"The Security Council has great power, and with great power comes great responsibility, to address the situation in Gaza and its root causes, and ensure the realization of a two-state solution," she said. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

VOINews, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) appointed Andi Amran Sulaiman as minister of agriculture, replacing Syahrul Yasin Limpo, who had resigned from his position following his alleged connection with a corruption case.

During an oath-taking ceremony held at the State Palace, Jakarta, on Wednesday, President Jokowi also inaugurated Chief of Staff of the Army Lieutenant General Agus Subiyanto and Indonesian Ambassador to Argentina Sulaiman Syarif.

"In the name of God, I pledge that I will be loyal to the 1945 Constitution and genuinely carry out all applicable regulations for the sake of my devotion and service to the nation and country," Sulaiman stated when taking his oath.

Following the president's guidance, Sulaiman also stated his vow to carry out his duties while upholding office ethics and giving his best as a responsible agriculture minister.

The appointment marks his second term in office after serving in the same position during the 2014-2019 period.

Sulaiman, born in Bone, South Sulawesi, on April 27, 1968, has also earlier served as the head of logistics of state-owned agricultural company PT Perkebunan Nusantara XIV.

After concluding his career in the company, he created various agricultural innovations, including the rat exterminator Alpostran.

Since then, he has continued to develop his businesses in the field of pesticides, palm oil, sugar, nickel, gold, and gas stations.

Earlier in September this year, Minister Sulaiman met with President Jokowi at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, to talk on economic issues.

However, Sulaiman noted that the president did not offer him to reclaim his position as the agriculture minister in September's meeting. He remarked that after concluding his term as minister during the earlier period, he had discussed about the economy at several meetings with the head of state.

As a businessman, he admitted to having discussed matters related to sugar production in Southeast Sulawesi, nickel potential in eastern Indonesian regions, and conditions of the real economy with President Jokowi. (Antaranews)

VOINews, Jakarta - Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko, shared that Indonesia's journey out of the pandemic-induced economic crisis has not been easy. Like many other countries, Indonesia has to deal with the residue left by the pandemic coupled with the uncertain global geopolitical situation.

"This pandemic leaves a residue that must be overcome, while global geopolitical conditions make the situation even more complex," he said in the Forum Merdeka Barat 9 (FMB9) Dialogue Launching 2023 Performance Achievements, in Central Jakarta, Tuesday (24/10/2023).

In facing these challenges, Indonesia has used a series of effective strategies led by a spirit of cooperation and strong leadership.

The first strategy taken is the careful handling of pandemic residues. The government made maximum efforts to address the health and economic impacts left behind.

Second, the government efficiently distributed social assistance to ensure that no one went hungry, and provided much-needed support to those affected economically.

Third, the government safeguards the role of the cooperative, MSME, and corporate sectors in economic recovery. The government must ensure that none of these business entities fail due to the crisis.

In the face of economic uncertainties brought about by the pandemic, coupled with the complicated geopolitical situation, the government made prudent budgetary relocations.

"Budget relocation is followed by 'gas and brake' tactics. In an up situation, activities are braked, loose speed is increased," Moeldoko said.

Emerging from the crisis, Indonesia is now looking forward to the vision of an Advanced Indonesia 2045. To realize this, Moeldoko explained that the government has prepared five main foundations.

The first foundation is the development of Human Resources (HR). According to him, quality human resources are an important foundation for the progress of a nation.

Second, infrastructure development. Moeldoko said that infrastructure development is important to encourage economic growth and equitable development.

Third, bureaucratic reform. According to him, an effective and efficient bureaucracy is expected to be able to provide better public services.

Fourth, improving regulations. Moeldoko said that regulations that are not investment-friendly will hamper economic growth.

Finally, the foundation of economic transformation. Moeldoko explained that economic transformation is important to improve Indonesia's competitiveness in the era of globalization.

The government also continues to encourage sustainable economic growth, among others through industrial downstreaming and green economy development.

"Yesterday the President inaugurated the carbon exchange. This carbon exchange will produce something extraordinary, in the context of moving towards a green economy," he explained.

Connectivity

To achieve the vision of an Advanced Indonesia 2045, it takes all aspects that must be done early. This includes the development and equalization of internet networks in Indonesia.

In the same forum, Minister of Communication and Information Budi Arie Setiadi, revealed that connectivity is the main challenge in realizing Indonesia's goal of becoming a developed country.

"There are three aspects of connectivity that need to be considered, namely capacity, coverage, and quality," he said.

In terms of capacity, Indonesia still needs to catch up with other countries. The average internet speed in Indonesia is still at 22 Mbps. In terms of coverage, internet penetration in Indonesia has only reached 78 percent. This means that there are still 22 percent of Indonesia's population who do not have internet access.

"This condition mainly occurs in the 3T, Outermost, Remote and Disadvantaged areas," said Budi.

Minister Budi Arie stated that the internet in Indonesia also still needs to be improved. There are still many areas in Indonesia that experience internet signal interference, especially in mountainous areas and water areas.

"In the city it is okay, but in rural areas there is still a lot to be addressed," he added.

Back to the Map

In President Joko Widodo's ninth year in office, Indonesia has been in the spotlight again in recent years. This is marked by Indonesia's increasing role in various international forums, such as the G20, ASEAN, and being elected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.

Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lalu Muhammad Iqbal, said that the phrase 'back to the map' is appropriate to describe Indonesia's rise in the international world because it has a deep meaning.

"After the reformation, Indonesia had slumped and lost the trust of the international community. However, in the last ten years, Indonesia has shown an extraordinary resurgence," he said.

According to him, Indonesia has clear principles in carrying out foreign policy. Indonesia prioritizes the principle of never being a problem, but being present to bring solutions to the world.

Therefore, Lalu Muhammad Iqbal is optimistic that Indonesia will continue to be a leader in the region and globally in the future.

"We have great potential to become a world leader," he said. (Ministry of Communication and Information)