VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

 It is viewed as being increasingly paramount for the government to intensify dissemination of information on online financial literacy among Indonesians to boost the e-commerce potential based on the rapid increase in Indonesia's internet users.

"The government should step up the dissemination of more information on online financial literacy in Indonesia. With a rise in the public financial literacy in the community, the potential for electronic commerce can be increased," researcher of Center for Indonesian Policy Studies (CIPS) Galuh Octania noted in a statement in Jakarta on Friday.

Octania pointed to electronic commerce in Indonesia continuing to face challenges in the form of low online financial literacy among people.

In fact, she noted that online financial transactions proffered varied benefits, including the efficiency of lowering the time of transactions that can aid in improving services.

Furthermore, digital financial transactions are expected to bolster the government's efforts to lessen money supply that will affect the inflation rate.

The Indonesian Internet Service Providers Association (APJII) had earlier reported the number of internet users in the country in 2018 reaching 171 million out of the total population of 264 million.

According to the APJII data, published last May, Indonesia's internet penetration level last year was recorded at 64.8 percent.

The results were obtained from a survey and profiling of internet users that ran from March 9, 2019, to April 14, 2019, and involved 5,900 respondents, who use the internet for at least four months from the time of data collection.

Through the survey, the APJII also found that the number of internet users in Indonesia increased by as much as 27.9 million people, or 10.12 percent, in a year.

On the basis of the data, Java accounted for the largest number of internet users, reaching nearly 55 percent, while Sumatra was the second-largest contributor, at 21 percent.

The percentage of internet users in Kalimantan had reached nine percent, while Bali and Nusa Tenggara had an internet penetration level of five percent. In the meantime, Sulawesi-Maluku-Papua contributed 10 percent of the total internet users in Indonesia. (ant)

After holding an "Open House" to stay in touch with the public at the State Palace, Jakarta, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and First Lady Iriana, Wednesday (5/6), going home to their hometown in Solo, Central Java Province.

From Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base Jakarta, the President and his entourage departed at 14.07 WIB using the Indonesian Presidential-1 Aircraft.

Arriving at the Adi Soemarmo Air Force Base, Boyolali Regency, Central Java Province at 3:00 p.m., the President and Mrs. Iriana went directly to his private residence in the Sumber, Solo area. Before going to his residence, the President had greeted the community at Grha Sabha Buana.

Also accompanying the President and First Lady Iriana on a flight to Central Java Province, namely Minister of State Pratikno. (kemensetkab) 

Minister of Transportation (Menhub), Budi Karya Sumadi said that the implementation of the homecoming flow this year could be said to run more smoothly than the previous year.

"The construction of infrastructure that connects cities to cities in both Java and Sumatra and the preparation of strategies to unravel congestion makes running the homecoming in 2019 run smoothly," said the Minister of Transportation at the Press Conference at the 2019 Integrated Lebaran Transport Post, Tuesday (4/6) .

In 2019, the Minister continued, it was a proof that infrastructure development was very useful for the people from city to city.

"Evidently this year's trip back and forth from Jakarta to Semarang is 6 hours, Jakarta to Solo is 8 hours, Jakarta to Surabaya is less than 10 hours. It was very encouraging, especially for travelers. The community is satisfied because this year's homecoming is going smoothly, "said the Minister of Transportation Budi.

Not only through infrastructure, the Minister added, the success of this year's homecoming is also a good collaboration between stakeholders.

"I appreciate the cooperation of the Central Government with the National Police, the Regional Government which helped facilitate the homecoming. They are working well as there is no congestion in the spilled market, even the Nagrek area which is usually stuck, yesterday was smooth, "explained the Minister of Transportation.

On this occasion, the Minister of Transportation also called on travelers to return to Jakarta on June 6 or 7.

"The peak of the backflow is predicted on June 8 and 9, so I encourage travelers to return to Jakarta on June 6 or 7," the Minister of Transportation said.

This year's accident rate has dropped dramatically

Furthermore, the Minister of Transportation said that the number of traffic accidents decreased by around 60% in the homecoming flow in 2019. He added that this number was quite encouraging, considering that the safety aspect could be improved during the 2019 trip.

"There is a significant data, namely the number of accidents has dropped dramatically to 60% compared to last year. This means that the issues that we have been trying to make going home run smoothly and that safety is successful, "explained Minister of Transportation Budi.

On that occasion, Minister of Transportation Budi added, regulation on the toll road, reducing motorbikes through free hometowns and checking or ramp check on buses also reduced road accidents.

However, the Minister of Transportation reminded travelers to be vigilant especially when returning to Jakarta.

"Usually after a vacation it's tired, keep your body in shape. Rest first if you are tired, "said Minister of Transportation Budi.

Through data from Kakorlantas, the Minister of Transportation said that the number of traffic accidents in 2019 was 336 incidents compared to 2018 which reached 831 incidents. He added that for the 2019 death toll as many as 74 people, while in 2018 it reached 178 people.

"The 2019 serious injuries were 53 people, while in 2018 there were 175 people, and for minor injuries in 2019 there were 351 people, while in 2019 there were 1,082 people," concluded the Minister of Transportation. (kemenhub) 

The economy in Riau Islands Province (Riau Islands) has increased thanks to the positive movement of foreign tourists (tourists) who visit the province directly adjacent to Singapore.
The Ministry of Tourism's Deputy Marketing Development I, Rizki Handayani, in Jakarta, Monday (03/06/2019) said the economic prospects of the Riau Islands were comparable to the positive visits of foreign tourists.

"Based on Bank Indonesia Riau Islands report, Riau economic growth in the second quarter of 2019 was reported to be very positive," he said.

Exactly tourism in Riau Islands grows between 4.9 percent to 5.3 percent year on year (yoy). The inflation movement is estimated to be at the rate of 3.5 percent to 1 percent (yoy). The price stability remains in the national corridor.

During January-March 2019, visiting tourists experienced an increase of up to 12.57 percent. The real number is 672,177 people. In the same period of the previous year, the movement of foreign tourists ranged from 597,107 people.

"Tourism in Riau Islands continues to grow. There are many values ​​obtained from this activity, especially the economy. The tourism industry and the wider community get good economic access there. We are optimistic that the overall movement will improve in the following month, "Rizki said.
Deputy Deputy of Regional I Marketing Development I of the Ministry of Tourism Dessy Ruhati added that the optimization of the movement of foreign tourists was seen from the 4 entrances in Riau Islands.

Tourists who enter through Batam are 69.54 percent. Or around 460,710 foreign tourists. Whereas through Bintan it reached 21.23 percent with a movement of 142,671 foreign tourists. Tourists who come through Tanjungpinang amount to 5.67 percent or 38,104 foreign tourists, then 4.57 percent (30,692) enter from Karimun.

"The movement of foreign tourists has a positive impact. Its presence also drives the economy in Riau Islands. They make transactions to buy culinary, various souvenirs, as well as others. There are many economic benefits enjoyed by the Riau Islands people, "said Dessy Ruhati.

The surge in movement of foreign tourists in Riau Islands is dominated by Singaporean tourists. During the first quarter of 2019, Singaporean tourist arrivals reached 310,367 people. Malaysia followed with 69,852 people and China with 68,446 people.

"Various efforts were made to keep the movement of foreign tourists positive in Riau Islands. The movement of Singapore tourists is indeed very good. However, other countries still have the same potential. For that big branding is given evenly. We believe that the movement of foreign tourists outside the top 3 of the Riau Islands will be optimal until the end of the year, "said Dessy.
Riau Islands has been considered an exotic destination for foreign tourists. Because, nature, culture and "manmade" in Riau Islands are very extraordinary. Deals from culinary tours and shopping are also tempting. With these various combinations, the hotel occupancy rate is in the range of 49-50 percent. The length of stay of foreign tourists reaches 1.92 days. (kemenpar)