VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan affirmed that while implementation of the Formula E championship will cost US$24.1 million, or Rp343 billion, it is expected to proffer tangible effect worth trillions of rupiah.

The cost was lower that those of the F1 and World Cup, Baswedan noted Jakarta on Wednesday.

"I give you a list, the cost for MotoGP is US$79 million; F1, US$29.4 million; and Formula E, US$24.1 million," the governor stated, adding that Russia had spent $11.6 billion for the implementation of the World Cup.

Funds for the implementation of Formula E will be allocated in the Jakarta Regional Budget, he stated.

Jakarta will host Formula E race in 2020. The study of the implementation of the championship has been completed, and the governor is optimistic of it being approved by the Regional Legislative Council of Jakarta (DPRD).

Formula E is a class of motorsport that uses only electric-powered cars. The series was conceived in 2011, and the inaugural championship commenced in Beijing in September 2014.

Alejandro Agag is the founder and current chairman of Formula E Holdings (ANTARA)

Indonesian Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Dr. Sujatmiko said he was grateful that Indonesian prominent preacher Ustadz Abdul Somad Batubara, Lc. was present to give a sermon before thousands of worshippers during the Eid Al-Adha prayers procession held in Bandar Seri Begawan, on Sunday morning (Aug 11) or 10 Zulhijjah 1440 Hijrah in the Arabic calendar. The ambassador also reiterated the hope that the Indonesian community would work in earnest, maintain the good name of Indonesia, and ascertain that their passports and visas to avoid consular inconveniences, according to a statement from Indonesian Embassy in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, Monday.

In the Eid al-Adha Khutbah, Ustadz Abdul Somad delivered three main messages, namely that we should be dutiful to our parents, that we again make a sacrifice on Eid Al-Adha day, and that we maintain the bonds of brotherhood with our fellow beings.

The Ustadz also reminded parents to nurture their children as they are the future of the nation and state. Ustadz Abdul Somad also appealed to the jamaat not to vent their anger and be forgiving to their fellow beings so that they can return to their original state of purity when they were born.

The prayer, which was performed at the Embassy compound, was led by Ustadz Sholeh and was attended by more than 1,600 Indonesian Muslims.

The Indonesian community in Bandar Seri Begawan enthusiastically welcomed Ustadz Abdul Somad by coming in great numbers to the embassy.

The tabligh akbar and the Eid al-Adha observances are organized by the embassy to help foster greater harmony among the Indonesian community residing in Brunei Darussalam.

The two-day visit of Ustadz Abdul Somad, Lc. M.A. from Jakarta is the result of a collaboration between the embassy and Dompet Dhuafa, a non-profit Indonesian organization that empowers the people in the health, education, economic, and social development sectors.

The celebrations concluded with a feast featuring Indonesian cuisine that the jamaat enjoyed courtesy of the embassy and the Indonesian community.

The visit of Ustadz Abdul Somad was also used to promote friendship with the Brunei Muslim community. He delivered a sermon before thousands of Bruneians at the Rashidah Sa'adatul Bolkiah Mosque in Bandar Seri Begawan before his return to Indonesia the same day. (INE)

Mahouts of the elephant Flying Squad at the Tesso Nilo National Park had to evacuate the trained elephants to a safer place, as they showed signs of stress due to a forest fire that gutted the conservation area in Pelalawan District.

"The elephants have shown a change in behavior, because the fire has made them uncomfortable," chief of the Flying Squad Team, Erwin Daulay, told Antara here on Tuesday.

The Tesso Nilo National Park is a conservation forest, a home for the Sumatran endemic elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus).


The TNTN area was extended in 2009 to 83,068 hectares, from only 38,576 hectares in 2004, by including the limited production forest.

However, massive illegal encroachment of the conservation area has changed its landscape into palm oil plantations.

Daulay said the forest fire in the conservation area since August 1 had released a thick smog and it began to approach the Flying Squad camp in Lubuk Kembang Bunga Village. The fire was started at the Sungai Tapah area.

The Flying Squad, a team of captive elephants and handlers (mahouts) that help local farmers reduce elephant conflicts, comprised five mature elephants and three calves.

"The fire is getting wilder and has been approaching the camp since Friday, August 9. Finally, we evacuated the elephants to some 500 meters from the camp into the forest because the wind has blown the smog to the camp," he added.

Deputy chief of Pelalawan police Commissioner, Rezi Darmawan, said the forest fire in the village is under control, thanks to the joint efforts of the police, military, the fire brigades, WWF Riau and some companies.

However, the authority still detected hotspots in Kusuma Village, he said.

Head of the Tesso Nilo National Park, Halasan Tulus, said the fire in the conservation forest occurred sporadically, especially in the extended areas, which have reported human activities.

The extreme dry season, he said, has made the conservation area prone to fires. However, there is little chance for natural causes to ignite the fire as the area gutted is mostly occupied by people.

"It can be caused by cigarettes or the clearing of land," he said. 

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has instructed that the Indonesia Pavilion at the Expo 2020 Dubai must be futuristic and promote the country's culture, Trade Minister, Enggartiasto Lukita, said.

"There are several guidelines from the President and the Vice President, (that the pavilion must) mirror Indonesia today and in the future. Hence, it should be more futuristic, while introducing our culture and cultural wealth," the minister told the press at the Presidential Office, here, on Tuesday, following a limited cabinet meeting chaired by President Jokowi.

The meeting discussed preparations for the Expo 2020 Dubai by highlighting the position of the Indonesian Pavilion in enhancing partnerships.

Related news: Government discusses preparations for Expo 2020 Dubai
Related news: Indonesia ready to participate in World Expo 2020 in Dubai

Jokowi said that Indonesia's promotion activities should target potential foreign partners, Lukita added.

The opportunity must be seized optimally, especially for trade, tourism, and investment in the Middle-East market.

The government will involve private companies such as automotive industry, Astra.

The pavilion will also feature the development of crude palm oil industry in Indonesia and forest preservation.

During the meeting, Jokowi highlighted the need for meticulous preparations for Indonesia's participation in an attempt to seize the opportunity.

"The preparations must be detailed. The design of the pavilion must reflect the face of Indonesia as a big country," the president noted.

The president expounded that the location of the Indonesian pavilion must also be precise and strategic. This is essential for building trust and value from potential partners.

"The Dubai Expo is the third-largest event after the World Cup and the Olympics. Hence, it is an expo of technological discovery and industrial innovation, with approximately 190 countries in attendance," Jokowi remarked.

Director General of National Export Development of the Trade Ministry, Arlinda, had earlier noted that the Indonesian pavilion will feature the sub-theme, "opportunity", and the main theme, "Connecting Mind Creating the Future".

A total of 25 million people are projected to attend the World Expo 2020 Dubai in the United Arab Emirates from October 20, 2020, to April 10, 2021.

The Indonesian Pavilion will be built after groundbreaking on September 9, 2019.

Several officials attending the meeting comprising Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Darmin Nasution; Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, Wiranto; Minister of Finance, Sri Mulyani Indrawati; Minister of Trade, Enggartiasto Lukita; Minister of Industry, Airlangga Hartarto; Minister of Home Affairs, Tjahjo Kumolo; Minister of Education and Culture, Muhadjir Effendy; Minister of Communication and Information, Rudiantara; Chairman of the Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), Thomas Trikasih Lembong; Creative Economy Agency (Bekraf) head, Triawan Munaf; Presidential Chief of Staff, Moeldoko; and Head of Presidential Secretariat, Heru Budi Hartono.