VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

This year, Indonesia and India are celebrating the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations. As independent countries, 70 years of the relation is a very long period and this is a good time for both countries to see what has been done in the 70 years and what can be done in the next 70 years. In addition, due to many similarities, there are many opportunities that both countries can do in the coming years. 

“In terms of possibilities, because India and Indonesia, we have many similarities like diversity, the plural character of our society, the character of our economy, both countries having very strong agriculture. So since our challenges are very similar, there are no limitations in terms of the area where we can work together,” the Indian Ambassador to Indonesia Pradeep Kumar Rawat on the sidelines of a joint iftar and an Islamic photo exhibition of India-Indonesia organized by the Indian Embassy and Nahdlatul Ulama Islamic organization in Jakarta on Friday (17/05).

Pradeep Kumar Rawat further said in the field of science and technology, the two countries have the same challenge, namely how to meet the requirement of digital economy such as industry 4.0 and cyber technology. (VOI / AHM)

The Indian Embassy in Jakarta with Nahdlatul Ulama, the largest Islamic organization in Indonesia, held a joint iftar initiated with a photo exhibition themed Shared Islamic Heritage of India and Indonesia at Nahdlatul Ulama Head Office, Jakarta, Friday (17/05). This activity was held to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Indonesia. Indian Ambassador to Indonesia Pradeep Kumar Rawat said the exhibition aimed to show the young generation about the Islamic tradition in India.

"We are trying to do the young generation, which mean not know much about it, through this photo exhibition, can learn more about the Islamic tradition in India," said Pradeep Kumar Rawat.

Meanwhile, General Chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama Prof. Dr. Said Aqil Sirad in his remarks said India and Indonesia had many commonalities in terms of the traditions of Islam. Said Aqil added that India and Indonesia had a long history in terms of the spreading of Islam because, in the past, many Indian Islamic scholars came to Indonesia to spread Islam.

The photo Indian Indonesian Islamic exhibition which displays the rich of Islamic heritage in India was jointly inaugurated by Indian Ambassador Pradeep Kumar Rawat and General Chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama Prof. Dr. Said Aqil Sirad. This photo exhibition is open to the public until May 24, 2019. Attending the event were several Ambassadors from diplomatic corps based in Jakarta, along with dignitaries from NU and a large number of students from several universities in Jakarta. The iftar was also highlighted with a special musical performance by a Sufi Qawwali Group led by Sarfaraz Chisty from India.(VOI / AHM)

President Joko Widodo appreciated the dedication and hard work of the TNI and Polri in carrying out their duties. According to the President, the professional work of all members of the TNI and Polri in the country made the simultaneous general elections held on April 17 running democratically, honestly, fairly, safely and peacefully.

"I really appreciate, really appreciate that hard work," the President said while giving a speech at the event opening together with a large family of TNI and Polri at the Monas Field, Jakarta, Thursday, May 16, 2019.

The President also reminded that Indonesia is a large country with diverse tribes, religions, races, cultures, customs, to different traditions.

"Thank God until now, and we hope so on, this country will continue to be safe," he continued.

According to the President, political stability and security are absolute conditions for the development of the Indonesian nation. This, he continued, would not have happened if the TNI and Polri were not solid and in synergy.

"It means what? At present we can work to build this country because the TNI and Polri are very solid and very united. That is the people who speak, I only hear. Glad people see the TNI and Polri united," he said.

The Head of State then invited the TNI and Polri to continue to embrace all elements of society to jointly build the nation. In addition, it is also to dispel understandings and forces that are not in accordance with Pancasila, and cut down the seeds of terrorism which can threaten the stability and integrity of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia.

Increasing TNI Polri's Capacity

On this occasion, the President also said that the government would continue to work hard to increase the capacity of the TNI and Polri. In the Indonesian National Police's leadership meeting on January 29, the President said that the tasks of the TNI and Polri would be even heavier. For this reason, he will sign the addition of the position of high-ranking TNI officer.

"I repeat that I will soon sign the position of a high-ranking TNI officer who will later have an additional number of more than 100 high-ranking TNI officers. But we will continue to examine this and in the future there will also be spaces for additional high ranking TNI officers," he said.

Meanwhile, related to the welfare of the TNI and Polri, the President said that the Hari Raya (THR) allowance will be received by TNI Polri members at the end of May. As for the thirteenth salary will be given in July.

"I have already signed if this is the case, the THR grant will be accepted at the end of this month at the latest," he said, greeted by boisterous applause from the soldiers. (pers media )

Representatives from the European Union (EU), the Netherlands, Belgium, Finland, Hungary, England, Ireland, Spain, and Sweden, and FAO observed the Indonesia's sustainable palm oil management process in Riau from 8 to 9 May 2019. The visit took place at the sustainable palm oil plantation of Association of Self-Support Farmer Group (ATKS) Amanah and PT Perkebunan Nusantara V (PTPN V).

The program intends to facilitate the meeting between Indonesian sustainable palm oil stakeholders and EU. The visit of EU Representatives to Riau was facilitated by Directorate for American and European Intra and Inter-Regional Cooperation. It was part of the implementation of National Priority Projects (ProPN) through Economic Diplomacy towards Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) Recognition in EU.

The participants gathered and discussed along with the self-support and plasma farmers from ATKS Amanah, KUD Bukit Potalo, Dayo Mukti Village Unit Cooperative, and Tani Sejahtera Village Unit Cooperative; the policy makers from Ministry of Agriculture, ISPO Commission, and Provincial and Regency Plantation Agency; business players, including Asian Agri and PTPN V, Unilever; and NGOs representatives from UNDP Indonesia and World Resource Institute (WRI) Indonesia.

The discussion is expected to communicate the different points of view among those parties related to ISPO. The program is also designed to persuade the EU Representatives to directly observe Indonesian small-scale farmers' ability to fulfill the sustainability standard in accordance with ISPO.

The farmers shared their experiences about their fertilization systems and the use of natural pesticides based on the ISPO standard that had successfully increased their productivity and income. They stated that ISPO helps them dealing with poverty; they acquire adequate capacity building and there is middlemen eradication in the marketing of their palm oil production.

Aligned with the farmers, the Head of Secretary of ISPO Commission Azis Hidayat stated that EU would encourage the farmers' involvement in the ISPO scheme, since the Indonesian palm oil plantation was placed as a vital part of people's economy.

A party plays as the famers' facilitator, UNDP Indonesia, stated that UNDP together with Asian Agri facilitate ATKS Amanah and Bukit Potalo Village Unit Cooperative. The farmers have also understood the urgency of sustainability principles in palm oil production. To encourage the increase of palm oil production, Director of Plantation Product Management and Marketing from the Ministry of Agriculture claimed that the ISPO enhancement, through the Presidential Regulation, will boost the sustainable palm oil production in Indonesia; by, among others, replanting supports for the farmers.

The EU Representatives admitted that Indonesia had reached numerous improvements in their sustainable palm oil production management. They believed that the positive lead shall be maintain for further decades.

The Director of American and European Intra and Inter-Regional Cooperation, Masni Eriza, expected that EU and Indonesia would further discuss their continuous efforts in improving ISPO, in order to open the marketability of ISPO in all EU countries purchasing Indonesian palm oil.​​ (kemenlu)