VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

President Director of Radio Republik Indonesia (RRI), M. Rohanudin launched a collection of rhyme and poetry "Speak Kindly" at the Poetry Appreciation Night  held at the Auditorium of RRI Jakarta on Monday night (17/8).  The collection of rhyme  and poetry received appreciation from a number of figures, one of them is the Chairman of the Indonesian Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Firli Bahuri.  He said  when he read it, his national spirit arose.  Meanwhile, Chairman of Commission I of the house of Representative (DPR)  Meutya Hafidz also appreciated Rohanudin's poetry. She said that finding out solutions of national problems is not enough by politics, but also by  works of art// (kbrn/ TRANS:AF)

Konjen RI Toronto, Leonard F. Hutabarat ( ANTARA/HO-KJRI Toronto/aa)

Indonesian Consul General in Toronto, Canada, Leonard F. Hutabarat encouraged Indonesian higher education institution to collaborate with Canada in developing technology of medical nuclear and agriculture.  It was stated by the   Indonesian Consul General in Toronto when he became a guest speaker in a webinar themed Internationalizing Higher Education: Opportunities for Collaborations between Canada and Indonesia recently. Information Function staff of  Social and Culture of Indonesian Consulate General Toronto, Sturmius Theofanus Bate told Antara London on Monday (17/8) that the Webinar was held by an online education platform, Reducates, in collaboration with the International Association of Scientists. It aimed at  developing Indonesian higher education by encouraging wider collaboration with Canadian higher education institutions//(Antara/TRANS:AF)

Eight members of national flag bearers, Paskibraka, on duty for flag-hoisting ceremony during the 75th commemoration of Indonesia's Independence Day conducted amid pandemic situation at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, Monday, Aug 17, 2020. ANTARA/Biro Pers Sekretariat Presiden/Muchlis Jr/sw)

An official ceremony to commemorate Indonesia's 75th Independence Day at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Monday was scaled back over COVID-19 concerns and held in a solemn manner.

"Health protocols are applied to prevent the spread of COVID-19. However, we believe that the event would be held in a solemn and prudent manner," Deputy of Protocol, Press, and Media at the Presidential Secretary Bey Machmudin noted.

"This was also held quite modestly and as usual at 9 a.m. local time, we have such festive art and cultural events at the Palace yard, though now, we are moving it entirely to virtual rooms," he pointed out.

National celebrations at the Merdeka Palace would usually see a congregation of hundreds of ceremony participants as well as honorary guests dressed in traditional costumes, while now, it was limited to only 20 ceremony participants and 14 guests.

"We invited people to attend the commemoration virtually, with as many as 17,845 seats available, and also special seats were assigned for foreign ambassadors from across the world," Machmudin stated.

As it turned into a virtual event, the government had urged Indonesians worldwide to pay their respects to the proclamation and flag-raising event by standing in attention at precisely 10:17 a.m. local time.

The flag-hoisting ceremony at the palace was conducted by only eight select students in the flag bearers’ team, the Paskibraka, while regularly it comprised 68 members from each of the 34 provinces.

All of them as well as participants and honorary guests had tested negative for COVID-19 during swab tests.

The Sabang team that hoisted the flag directly comprised three Paskibraka members: Indrian Puspita Rahmadhani from Aceh, Muhammad Adzan from West Nusa Tenggara, and I Gusti Agung Bagus Kade Sanggra Wira Adhinata from Bali.

Infantry Colonel Muhammad Imam Gogor led the flag-hoisting ceremony as commander, while Military Brigadier General Syafruddin acted as ceremony officer. (ANTARA)

Shanghai (VOI News) - The Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Shanghai held a ceremony to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia, on August 17, 2020 at 09.30 local time. The ceremony was held at the Shanghai World Trade Exhibition Center, China and was attended by around 100 Indonesian citizens. The Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia in Shanghai, Deny Wachyudi Kurnia and sppuse, along with the staff and family members of the Indonesian Consulate General, as well as several Indonesian students and business people in China, participated in the commemoration. Voice Of Indonesia contributor, Kevin Zhao reported, before entering the venue, guests must show a green code on the health scan result barcode. The Head of Social and Cultural Information of the Indonesian Consulate General in Shanghai, Wandi Adriano, explained that the ceremony was carried out simply because it was still in a pandemic situation.

"We gathered together to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Indonesia, at the Indonesian Consulate in Shanghai. The ceremony took place solemnly with full simplicity, considering that all of us are still in the Covid 19 pandemic. Hopefully everything can improve soon, and the Indonesian people in Shanghai can gather together," said Wandi Adriano.

The commemoration began with a flag-raising ceremony, with remarks from the Consul General Deny Wachyudi Kurnia, followed by lunch and entertainment. (Kevin Zhao, Shanghai / Nouva/AHM)