VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Jakarta (VOI News) - The National Library of Indonesia collaborates with the National Library of the Netherlands in Leiden to digitize collections about Indonesia. This was stated by Head of the Indonesian National Library, Muhammad Syarif Bando during a press conference in Jakarta on Friday (2/21).

"Right now, we are cooperating with Leiden, the Dutch government to digitize our collections in the Netherlands where we will take them back next. Because, the Indonesian people must know that the three-quarters of collections in the entire Dutch Library are about Indonesia, and they have been collected for hundreds of years. This further convinces us how the developed countries are hungry for reading materials, no matter from which country is." Syarief Bando said.

The press conference was held related to the plan of the National Library to hold a National Coordination Meeting for Indonesian librarians with the theme "Librarian Innovation and Creativity in Strengthening Literacy Culture to Achieve Superior Human Resources towards Indonesia On ward". The National Coordination Meeting will take place in Jakarta from 25 to 27 February 2020 and is scheduled to be officially opened by Minister of Home Affairs, Tito Karnavian. (VOI-NK/R)

The government will continue diplomatic efforts with Japanese authorities to ensure the smooth evacuation of 74 Indonesian nationals aboard the Diamond Princess cruise liner in Japan's Yokohama waters, President Joko Widodo stated.

"This is a process of diplomacy between Indonesia and Japan, and we are sending our inquiries, but they have yet to answer. We hope there can be a decision taken soon so we can also make a decision," President Joko Widodo said n the District of Pelalawan in Riau, Friday. 

The Diamond Princess cruise liner has been under quarantine after several passengers and crew members were infected with the coronavirus or the COVID-19, including four Indonesian nationals who are currently being treated in a hospital in Japan. There is a total of 78 Indonesians working as crew members and aside from the four being treated, the rest of the 74 Indonesians are still on the ship. In a statement received in Jakarta, Thursday, February 20, the President said that the government continued to ensure that all Indonesian citizens were treated in accordance with the World Health Organization's protocols. Indonesia, through the embassy in Japan, is also communicating with all Indonesian citizens who are still on the cruise ship. The Indonesian embassy also provides logistical assistance and coordinates with several relevant parties to ensure protection for Indonesian citizens.(ANT)

Jakarta (VOI News) - Indonesian and Singaporean military keep maintaining a tradition of joint military exercises in a bid to strengthen the cooperation of both countries. This was stated by Singaporean Ambassador to Indonesia, Anil Kumar Nayar after attending Diplomatic Forum held by Voice of Indonesia in Jakarta on Wednesday (19/02). “Safkar Indopura“   is a joint military exercise between Indonesian Army and Singaporean Army, which becomes one of the solid relations of the two countries and the military exercise is carried out alternately.

“(Safkar Indopur ) That’s one about oldest exercises that has been going on between Singapore and Indonesia. I think that will continue. Air Forces of the 2 countries, Navies as well as the Armies, they will meet in various level defense establishments of the both sides. There is a lot of interaction going on; no stopping of that,” said Ambassador Anil Kumar Nayar.

Moreover, Ambassador Anil Kumar Nayar also explained that recently, the defence cooperation of the two countries has taken place well. Even, he said that nowadays, Singapore and Indonesia are finding out more opportunities of defence cooperation which is expected to be developed continuously. (VOI-AF)

Head of the Indonesian Ministry of Health's Overseas Cooperation Bureau, Acep Somantri (VOI/NUKE)

Jakarta (VOI News) - In dealing with the corona virus or Covid-19, members of the World Health Organization (WHO) need to cooperate to reduce the spread of the Covid-19 originating from Wuhan, China. Head of the Indonesian Ministry of Health's Overseas Cooperation Bureau, Acep Somantri, after speaking at the 'Diplomatic Forum' held by Voice of Indonesia at the Jusuf Ronodipuro Auditorium, RRI Jakarta, Wednesday (19/2) said that WHO member countries need to share information about the situation and positive cases in each country. According to Acep, the cooperation includes capacity building, especially for countries that do not yet have an adequate health system to deal with the Covid-19 outbreak. He also said that Indonesia is a country that has a good health system and has been tested. He emphasized that the Ministry of Health officially answered the international doubts that Indonesia has adequate resources in coping with virus outbreaks, including the corona virus.

“There are a number of questions from the world, we do not know who is asking, who seems to doubt the capacity of our laboratory. But, the Ministry of Health has responded with the release and then we also invited reporters, WHO, and other countries that wanted to know how we work. They come to our laboratory at Balitbangkes (Research and Development Center for Health) on Jalan Percetakan Negara,” said Acep Somantri.

Furthermore, Acep Somantri said that the Indonesian Ministry of Health is also ready to provide assistance in the field of medical equipment and health experts to countries in need. In addition, Indonesia is currently also developing a new vaccine through Bio Farma, as a vaccine manufacturer in Indonesia. Previously, President Joko Widodo offered assistance to the Chinese government in dealing with the corona virus. (VOI/GUS)