VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Jakarta - Communication and Information Minister Budi Arie Setiadi has invited journalists to collaborate to help ensure the peaceful implementation of the General Elections, which are scheduled to be held on February 14, 2024.

In a press release issued by his ministry here on Monday, he said that the media has an important role in supporting the implementation of elections.

"Hopefully, the 2024 General Elections can result in leaders who are in accordance with the mandate of the people. Thus, sovereignty is in the hands of the people," he added.

The minister underlined that the mass media, as a trusted source of information, would play an essential role in creating a conducive situation during the 2024 election stages.

He affirmed that the Ministry of Communication and Information will collaborate with all media, including radio, television, digital platforms, and online and print media to realize peaceful elections.

According to him, political dynamics will rise ahead of the registration period for presidential and vice presidential candidates from October 19 to 25, 2023.

The ministry has initiated the Peaceful 2024 General Elections campaign to anticipate potential information chaos. As part of the campaign, the ministry is collaborating with several stakeholders to realize peaceful elections.

Elections are a means of national integration and must unite all elements of society. Therefore, he said, the Ministry of Communication and Information is encouraging public communication agendas for the Peaceful 2024 General Elections campaign.

The ministry is also committed to encouraging the community to exercise their right to vote wisely and is making efforts to anticipate polarization in the community during and after the elections, according to the statement.

"The ministry is also focusing on maintaining the digital space (so it can) remain healthy by forming an Anti-Hoax Task Force during the stages of the 2024 General Elections," the minister informed.

To ensure safety during the vote-counting process, the Ministry of Communication and Information is building synergies with mobile network operators and other stakeholders to ensure uninterrupted signals.   

(Antara News)

Jakarta - Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno invited tourists looking to watch the MotoGP race, scheduled in mid-October at the Mandalika Circuit, Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, to opt for living in homestays.

"The occupancy rate of hotels is high. Hence, we would like to suggest tourists to stay in homestay and tourism villages to get unique experiences," he remarked in a discussion that was followed online in Jakarta on Monday (October 2).

Minister Uno noted that efforts to provide sufficient number of hotel rooms have met difficulties, but the government has prepared a solution by providing tourists with alternative accommodation options, such as homestays.

"We are moving fast by providing alternative accommodation facilities, such as homestay. In fact, this initiative has been well-received since many tourists are eager to stay in a distinct atmosphere," he pointed out.

The minister then expressed optimism that the existing accommodation facilities would meet the tourists' demand, adding that the number of tourists visiting Mandalika would increase by 15 percent, considering that the COVID-19 pandemic has ended.

"Since the pandemic era has ended, the number of tourists looking to spectate MotoGP is predicted to increase by 10-15 percent. However, I believe our accommodation facilities will meet the demand," he affirmed.

Earlier, Acting Head of the Central Lombok Office of Tourism, Lendek Jayadi, made similar statements.

"Spectators of MotoGP can stay in sarhunta (tourism residential facilities) and homestay as alternative accommodation options," he remarked in Central Lombok District on September 25.

He noted that the occupancy rate of sarhunta and homestay in the Mandalika Special Economic Zone had only reached 30 percent of the total 1,200 rooms available.

Meanwhile, 95 percent of the total of 1,970 hotel and villa rooms in the zone had been booked by spectators, racers, and crew of the 2023 Mandalika MotoGP.

"This signifies that spectators of MotoGP still have an opportunity to book numerous available rooms of sarhunta and homestay that sit closer to the Mandalika Circuit," he concluded.

(Antara News)

Rock climbing athlete Desak Made Rita Kusuma Dewi broke the Asian Games record with a time of 6,600 seconds in the speed qualifying round for the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, Tuesday (3/10). His time beat the previous record set by Aries Susanti Rahayu, namely 7.61 seconds at the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games.

(Antara News)

Forces from Manila, Britain, Canada, Japan and the United States kicked off on Monday two weeks of joint naval exercises in Philippine waters as a "show of force", amid flaring regional tension.

With more than 1,800 participants, the drills follow last week's move by Beijing to block Philippine fishermen from Asia's most contested maritime feature, the Scarborough Shoal, held by China in the South China Sea.

This year's "Sama Sama" drills are being held in the southern part of the island of Luzon, featuring naval exercises in areas such as anti-submarine warfare, air defence and search and rescue, the Philippine navy said.

"With this show of force and active engagement of our allies and partners, 'Sama Sama' transcends mere military exercises," Philippine navy chief Rear Admiral Toribio Adaci said at the opening event.

"It is a symbol of our enduring partnerships and our shared commitment to security and stability in the Asia-Pacific region."

In his remarks, Vice Admiral Karl Thomas, the commander of the U.S. Navy's Seventh Fleet, said, "It is important that all nations have a right to sail and operate in the West Philippine Sea, free from ... being coerced, free from being intimidated."

The West Philippine Sea refers to the portion of the South China Sea claimed by Manila.

Five vessels, two from the United States, and one each from Britain, Canada and Japan, joined the Philippine-hosted drills that will run until Oct. 13.

The navies of Australia, France, Indonesia and New Zealand also joined in by sending observers and experts.

"I am confident that no potential aggressor should be under any illusion other than this is a strong team of nations, a strong team of navies ... one navy sailing and operating together," Thomas added. (Reuters)