VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Voice of Vietnam (VOV) in collaboration with the Vietnamese Embassy in Indonesia and the Indonesian Embassy in Vietnam organized two writing contests with the theme "Finding out about President Ho Chi Minh's visit in Indonesia and President Soekarno in Vietnam". The release of Voice of Vietnam received by Voice of Indonesia in Jakarta on Tuesday (12/24) said that this activity was held to commemorate the 60th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh's visit to Indonesia and President Soekarno's visit to Vietnam and to welcome the 65 years of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Indonesia in 2020.

In his remarks during the presentation of prizes to the winners which took place in Hanoi, Vietnam, Tuesday (12/24), the Indonesian Ambassador to Vietnam, Ibnu Hadi said the contest was very relevant and should be known by the young generation of Indonesia and Vietnam.

"This event is very good because it has been exactly 60 years, this historical visit I think needs to be commemorated because by holding this, all generations can know, not only the older generation who experienced the visit but also the younger generation. So it is very relevant to remind the younger generation that the basis of the close relations between Indonesia and Vietnam and also to encourage cooperation in ASEAN was already carried out in 1959. So it's very relevant and very good, said Ibnu Hadi.

The writing contest themed "Finding out about President Ho Chi Minh's visit in Indonesia and President Soekarno’s visit in Vietnam" has been held in Indonesia and Vietnam. The organizing committee received a lot of writings from the people of Indonesia and Vietnam about this historic event. The prizes for the Indonesian winners were handed over by the Vietnamese Ambassador to Indonesia Pamp Vinh Quang in Jakarta on November 8, 2019. While the prize for the winners in Vietnam were handed over by VOV President Nguyen The Ky and the Indonesian Ambassador to Vietnam, Ibnu Hadi. Special winners from Vietnam received prizes in the form of a free visit to Indonesia for 5 days for 2 people. (VOV Release / AHM)

Indonesia's government will launch two special economic zones in Batam Island, Riau, in 2020, the Coordinating Economy Ministry stated in Jakarta, Monday, while it awaits the free trade and port zone (KPBPB) regulation’s revised version.

"The draft revision has been completed, and we await the president (Joko Widodo) to ink the document. Once it is signed, the two special trade zones will be operational," the ministry's infrastructure acceleration and region development deputy, Wahyu Utomo, stated in Jakarta, Monday.
While awaiting the revised version of the government's regulation (PP), the chairman of the special trade development/the Coordinating Minister of Economy Airlangga Hartarto had contacted officials and stakeholders to prepare for the launch of two special trade zones in Batam Island.

In 2019, the authority approved the construction of two special trade zones, including a maintenance and repair facility for aircraft at the Hang Nadim International Airport and a digital hub in Nongsa.

"At the Nongsa digital park, we will collaborate with the US smartphone manufacturer Apple," the deputy remarked.

Once a thriving free port and bonded industrial zone, Batam Island had attracted investment reaching billion dollars regulated by an independent Batam Development Authority. Under the authority's rule, investors enjoy tariff cuts as well as a facility to acquire lands and licenses for business.

However, since the regional election was launched in 2001, Batam was ruled by a local government that stripped parts of the authority's power over the island. The dualistic administrative authorities in the island has led to years of confusion and uncertainty among investors.

Since President Joko Widodo took office for a second term in 2019, his administration had planned to merge the two authorities and change the status of the island, from a free trade zone to a special economic zone. (ANTARA)

RRI’s National Integrated News Room was officially inaugurated by the Minister of Communication and Informatics, Monday (12/23/2019). In addition to cutting the ribbon marking the inauguration of the newsroom, the Minister of Communication and Informatics, Johnny G Plate also signed an inscription. In his remarks, RRI President Director M Rohanudin said, currently 90 percent of the territory in Indonesia has been reached by RRI. Rohanudin said that RRI must always take sides with the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia. RRI is here to create tranquility.

"So until now, since the birth of Radio Republik Indonesia, it has always been constantly airing things to create tranquility, not to make noises. What has been created by RRI broadcasts is tranquility among Indonesian society and it is mandatory for Radio Republik Indonesia, the state broadcaster that really takes side towards the Unitary State of Republic of Indonesia," said Rohanudin.

Rohanudin continued not only in the urban center, RRI is also broadcast by 37 border stations. Rohanudin said, RRI always has to take sides with the Unitary State of Republic of Indonesia. According to him, RRI can be accessed from Sabang to Merauke from Miangas to Rote, represented by RRI’s 151 stations and 224 relay stations throughout Indonesia. //(rri.co.id.23.12'19/AHM)

President of Indonesia Joko Widodo (left) and some ministers as well as high-ranking officials of state-owned oil company Pertamina attended the launch ceremony of the first use of 30 percent blended biodiesel (B30) program in Jakarta, Monday (Dec 23, 2019). (ANTARA)

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) launched the 30 percent blended biodiesel (B30) program at a gas station in Jakarta, Monday, while highlighting that the measure may help Indonesia save US$4.8 billion in foreign exchange in 2020.

"I would like to mention today that the B30 program is officially launched, and I am delighted to announce it will save Rp63 trillion (equivalent to US$4.8 billion) of our foreign exchange," Jokowi stated at the launch ceremony at SPBU Pertamina No.31.128.02 gas station, MT Haryono, South Jakarta.

The president had earlier planned to implement the B30 program in 2020, but he expedited the move by the end of this year.

Jokowi expounded that the B30 program could be implemented in the country's capital city since the trial run had begun since November 2019.

Following the use of B30 blended biodiesel, the president expected to launch the use of 40 percent blended biodiesel (B40) in 2020 and fifty-percent blended biodiesel in 2021. "If we succeed to work at our targets, I believe we may further increase the country's foreign exchange," he stated.

The blended biodiesel program was initiated in 2008 as regulated by Energy and Natural Resources Ministerial Decree No. 32 of 2008. The ministry initially targeted to launch the use of 10 percent blended biodiesel in 2015, with the objective of responding to a sharp decline in the CPO price in the global market in the past years.

The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources stated in 2019 that the B20 policy, launched last year, has not only reduced the country’s trade deficit but also saved US$1.66 billion (Rp23.6 trillion) of the country’s foreign exchange reserves during the January-July 2019 period. (ANTARA)