VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

President of Indonesia Joko Widodo has ordered his ministries to trim firearm imports and instead strengthen the local weaponry defense system industry.  

"First, I would like to mention that the country's roadmap on the weaponry industry must prioritize the state-owned companies and domestic private sector. As a result, we can be less dependent on weapon imports," President Widodo remarked at a meeting with ministers at the president's office in Jakarta, Friday.

The ministries must ensure that each firearm import deal will include the tech-transfer as well as cooperation between Indonesia and the foreign countries involved, he stated. With the orders he has issued, the President hoped the quality of capital resources of the domestic weapons industries could be enhanced.

Apart from highlighting the importance of the domestic industry, the president also ordered ministries to keep up with the latest weaponry systems. "I don't expect us to still use the old, conventional firearms as it will not be suitable against future threats," he added.

Last month the Minister of Defense, Military Lt. Gen. (retired) Prabowo Subianto vowed to strengthen the country's weapons defense system during a visit to the National Military Force's (TNI) HQ in Jakarta.

"The TNI must be strong in all branch of services, including the Army, Navy and Air Force. For this reason, together with the Vice Minister, we want to strengthen the operational ranks of the TNI's real combat force, and we will strengthen the TNI," Prabowo remarked.

Firearms imports of Indonesia in 2018 amounts to US$354 million, far higher than the country's weapon exports that reach $15 million, according to a research launched by World Bank. (ANTARA)

The Russian mission to ASEAN is holding a "Hidden Russia" photo exhibition at the ASEAN Secretariat, in Jakarta. In his remarks, at the opening of the exhibition on Thursday, Russian Ambassador to ASEAN Alexander Ivanov said the photo exhibition was an effort to promote Russian small towns to Southeast Asian tourists. Alexander Ivanov added that the photo exhibition was in line with Russia-ASEAN strategic partnership, especially in the socio-cultural field.

“So, ASEC (ASEAN Secretariat) and CPR (Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN) help me a lot to organize this photo exhibition, which is in line with the ASEAN Russia comprehensive plan of action, especially in its field direction which is devoted to socio-culturalism,” said Alexander Ivanov.

The "Hidden Russia" photo exhibition featured photos taken by Ambassador Alexander Ivanov and his wife during a trip down the Volker River in Russia. The photos show panoramas and attractions of several small towns along the Volker River. The theme of Hidden Russia was taken because foreign tourists visiting Russia mostly only visited the cities of Moscow and Saint Petersburg. Even though there are many other interesting cities which are located not far from Moscow. With this exhibition, Alexander Ivanov hopes that foreign tourists, especially Indonesians, will get to know more about other cities in Russia. Hidden Russia photo exhibition held until December 13, 2019. (VOI/AHM)

South Korean Ambassador to Indonesia Kim Changbeon called on Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD on Wednesday to discuss procurement of main military armament system (Alutsista), among others. The courtesy call is usual as he only assumed the post of coordinating minister for political, legal and security affairs less than a month ago, Mahfud said.

The meeting also discussed President Joko Widodo's plan to visit South Korea this month to attend an international meeting. The president is scheduled to leave on November 23, he said.

The other agenda of the meeting was bilateral talks between Indonesia and South Korea that have engaged in many areas of cooperation, he said.

The meeting also highlighted a plan for cooperation in the procurement of the main military armament system, but he did not elaborate on the plan.

Asked about the cooperation between the two nations in the procurement of fighter jets KFX/IFX which is still obscure, he said he did not discuss only that with the ambassador.

"We discussed a lot of things, not only that but also investigation, armament, and trade. These issues are only a small part (of many issues). We also discussed Korean detainees held custody in Indonesia at the request of another country," he said.  (ANTARA)

The Indonesian Youth and Sports Ministry is considering to grant a bonus of up to Rp200 million to every gold medal winner at the SEA Games 2019 in the Philippines.

The ministry also offers a bonus of Rp100 million to every athlete winning a silver medal and a bonus of Rp60 million to every athlete clinching a bronze medal, the ministry noted in a press statement.

In accordance with Youth and Sports Ministry Decree No. 64 of 2019, the ministry will also offer a bonus of up to Rp100 million to each coach delivering achievement at the biennial multi-sports event.

Secretary of Youth and Sports Minister Gatot S. Dewa Broto remarked that the amount of bonuses offered at the SEA Games 2019 is the same as the SEA Games 2017 in Kuala Lumpur.

"The bonuses have been made available. The value is the same as that of the earlier SEA Games," he noted.

Enlisted herewith are the bonuses offered to athletes and coaches.

1. Single athlete, gold Rp20 million, silver Rp100 million, bronze Rp60 million.
2. Double athlete: gold Rp160 million, silver Rp80 million, bronze Rp48 million.
3. Athlete's team, gold Rp100 million, silver Rp50 million, and bronze Rp30 million.
4. Single/double coach: gold Rp100 million, silver 50 million, and bronze Rp30 million,
5. Coach's team, gold Rp100 million, silver Rp65 million, bronze Rp39 million,
6. Second, etc. medalist coach, gold Rp50 million, silver Rp25 million, bronze Rp15 million,
7. Assistant single/double coach, gold Rp60 million, silver Rp30 million, bronze Rp18 million
8. Assistant coach's team, gold Rp80 million, silver Rp40million, bronze Rp24 million.
9. Second, etc. medalist assistant coach: gold Rp30 million, silver Rp15 million, bronze Rp9 million. (ANTARA)