VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOINews, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo told officials that the modernization of the military armament or defense equipment system must be made an important focus of efforts to develop investment in Indonesia's defense sector.

During the commemoration of the 78th anniversary of the National Defense Forces (TNI) at National Monument (Monas) Square, Jakarta, Widodo directed officials to prioritize the budget for purchasing domestically made defense system products.

There needs to be a transfer of technology to the domestic defense industry if foreign products are purchased, he added.

"The modernization of defense equipment must be an important part of developing domestic defense industry investment. So, this must be encouraged by technology transfer, increasing HR (human resources), and prioritizing domestic products," he said.

"Related to this, I ask to use the budget, which is difficult to collect and is money from the people, to be spent and returned to the people," added the President.

He also asked that the defense equipment purchasing policies be made wisely and considering budget priorities for other needs outside the defense sector.

"The modernization of defense equipment is very necessary, but state finances and our state budget are very limited, and the need for people's welfare is very large. Therefore, spending on state defense equipment must be done wisely in terms of method and allocation," he explained.

After taking part in the TNI's 78th anniversary parade and defile, Widodo noted that the quality of the defense equipment that currently strengthens the TNI needs to be improved.

"We need to evaluate it, but, in general, I think it's good," he said.

Meanwhile, TNI commander, Admiral Yudo Margono, stressed that the modernization of defense equipment is a need that must be met.

"However, according to priorities, modernization cannot be carried out immediately as a whole, but in stages," he said.

If the modernization of defense equipment is carried out taking into account the priority scale, the use of the budget will be on target, he added.

At the commemoration of the TNI's 78th anniversary at Monas, President Widodo and invited guests observed a parade displaying hundreds of main weapons systems from the three TNI units.

A number of domestically made defense equipment were also displayed, such as the P6 ATAV light attack tactical vehicle, "Maung" close combat light tactical vehicle, "Anoa" armored vehicle, "Komodo" light armored vehicle, and Sergap E-Tactical electric dirt bike.

Other defense equipment that were also displayed included weapons and missile systems, such as the anti-submarine MK-46 Torpedo, MK-44 Torpedo, sea bombs, anti-surface ship Exocet MM38 Missiles, Steamgas Torpedoes, and SUT Torpedoes.

Yakhont Missile, Exocet MM40 B3 Missile, VL MICA Missile, C-802 Missile, C-705 Missile, Blackshark Torpedo, A244S Torpedo, P-15 Termit Missile, Mistral Missile, AL-1M Missile, Seacat Missile, and Astros II MK 6 Missile Launcher were also displayed during the commemoration.

A number of defense equipment made since 1960 were also on display, such as the PT 76 Amphibious Tank and the BTR 50 P amphibious landing tank. These weapons systems are currently strengthening the Indonesian Navy's Marine Corps. (Antaranews)

VOINews, Jakarta - Chief of the Presidential Staff (KSP), Moeldoko, received South Korean Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) Minister Eom Dong-hwan here on Thursday to discuss the Korean Fighter X and Indonesia Fighter X (KFX/IFX) development cooperation.

Moeldoko said that the development of the KFX/IFX fighter aircraft can continue because defense industry cooperation is important for Indonesia and South Korea's diplomatic relations, which enter 50 years this year.

"According to the President's directive, this cooperation can continue, because (this is) one of the strategic cooperations, both for long-term defense infrastructure and technology knowledge transfer," he added.

The KFX/IFX development cooperation is under the auspices of Indonesia's Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs and the Defense Ministry.

The cooperation will include the transfer of fighter aircraft technology from South Korea to Indonesia. The project is expected to produce 120 fighter jets for South Korea and 48 fighter jets for Indonesia.

Moeldoko further explained that the Indonesian government, through the KSP, the Defense Ministry, the Finance Ministry, and the Indonesian Military (TNI), has continued to seek breakthroughs in continuing the KFX/IFX cooperation.

Meanwhile, Minister Eom lauded Indonesia's commitment to continuing the KFX/IFX cooperation.

"This is in line with the agreement of the leaders of the two countries, that Indonesia and Korea are the best partners," he said.

The continuation of the cooperation was marked by the 78th anniversary of the National Defense Forces (TNI) on Thursday.

In a meeting on Monday (October 2, 2023) with the Defense Ministry, Finance Ministry, Foreign Affairs Ministry, and the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas), Moeldoko emphasized that the KFX/IFX cooperation program must be carefully prepared and seriously considered.

"This collaboration has put a stake in the political relations between Indonesia and South Korea. We have to consider it seriously," he said. (Antaranews)

VOINews, Jakarta - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) in Phnom Penh organized the return of 28 Indonesians who reportedly fell victim to human trafficking (TPPO) from Cambodia.

The 28 Indonesian citizens arrived at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport at 4:20 p.m. local time on Wednesday (October 4, 2023). They were accompanied by embassy staff from Phnom Penh.

"They have conducted an examination by local authorities with a result that indicates that they are TPPO victims," the Minister of Foreign Affairs said in Jakarta on Thursday.

Earlier, 27 of the 28 Indonesians were indicated to have been exploited by online scammers in Poipet, Banteay Meanchey province, Cambodia.

Through intensive coordination between KBRI Phnom Penh and the Cambodian Police, the Indonesians were picked up from a lodging in Poipet on June 28 and transferred to the Department of Anti-Human Trafficking and Juvenile Protection Office, Phnom Penh Central Police, for a follow-up examination.

Then, on July 14, the 27 Indonesians were relocated to a temporary shelter managed by an organization called Caritas.

On September 5, the Cambodian Police rescued one more Indonesian citizen who previously worked for the same company as the other 27 nationals, but had been shifted to another online company in the same province.

The person was then transferred to Phnom Penh and placed in the Caritas shelter till the repatriation formalities of all the Indonesian nationals could be completed.

During their stay at the Caritas shelter, KBRI Phnom Penh provided them with logistical and medicinal aid and financed the hospital costs of three Indonesians. KBRI Phnom Penh provided a translator during their interviews with the Cambodian Police as well as the Cambodian Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans, and Youth Rehabilitation.

Thereafter, the Cambodian ministry sent a letter to KBRI Phnom Penh, stating that based on the interviews, the 28 Indonesians were indicated to be TPPO victims.

Following up on the letter, KBRI Phnom Penh coordinated with the Cambodian Immigration Department regarding the immigration status and permits for the 28 Indonesian citizens.

After their repatriation to Indonesia, the 28 citizens have been accommodated in the Ministry of Social Affairs' RPTC Bambu Apus for rehabilitation before returning to their places of origin.

The citizens will also undergo a follow-up examination by the Criminal Investigation Agency of the Indonesian National Police (Bareskrim Polri) for law enforcement and an investigation into recruiting agents in Indonesia.

Cambodia has emerged as the country with the highest increase in online scams perpetrated on Indonesian citizens, with the number of cases increasing eightfold in the period from 2021 to 2022.

"The Indonesian government has constantly advised Indonesian citizens to be cautious of accepting job opportunities that lead to exploitation by online scamming companies," the minister stated. (Antaranews)

VOINews, Jakarta - The Nusantara Capital Authority (OIKN) sought to strengthen investment cooperation with investment partner countries, particularly France, at the 2023 Indonesia-France Business Forum held in Paris on Wednesday.

"The Nusantara Capital Authority is looking for investment possibilities and possible partners in France. Some of the businesses we contacted as a result of following up with various parties," OIKN head Bambang Susantono informed in a statement released in Jakarta on Thursday.

According to Susantono, France has the potential to invest in the development of the new capital city. OIKN has previously held virtual meetings with several investors, and the forum provided an opportunity to hold face-to-face discussions to strengthen existing investment collaboration.

The meeting covered investment cooperation, specifically regarding the five basic characteristics of the development of the new Indonesian capital: green, inclusive, intelligent, resilient, and sustainable.

In addition, the focus of cooperation was investment within the realm of technological advancement.

The forum was organized by the Indonesian Embassy in Paris and the Mouvement des Entreprises de France (MEDEF).

The head of OIKN met with Gerard Wolff, a senior advisor for the Sustainable Cities Program run by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs concurrently President of the Sustainable Cities Task Force at MEDEF (France's leading network of entrepreneurs), to learn how to make IKN a green city.

It is anticipated that Nusantara will also have a significant cultural presence. This will allow it to develop into a destination for people from the surrounding area as well as from further afield.

The OIKN head discussed this with the manager of the Louvre Museum Paris and planned to visit the Louvre Museum Paris.

Nusantara has been named the future capital of Indonesia, as stipulated and regulated by Law Number 3 of 2022.

The city has modified its approach to development to make it centered on Indonesia. The step is aimed at speeding up the economic transformation of the country. (Antaranews)