VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

In an effort to develop areas surrounding Suramadu Bridge, East Java provincial government has announced plan to build an integrated Islamic area called Islamic Science Park at the foot of the bridge.

“The park requires 101 hectares of land in which 20 percent of the plot of land will be developed for educational purposes, 30 percent for art purposes, and 50 percent for entertainment purposes,” East Java  Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa said in a Coordinating Meeting on the Suramadu Area Development Agency (BPWS) at the office of the Coordinating Ministry for the Economy, Jakarta, Tuesday (14/5).

The park – which is set to be Indonesia’s first Islamic theme park – will be developed by East Java provincial government in collaboration with the developer of Jatim Park, one of the most famous theme parks in the province.

A center for halal food and an augmented reality museum which portrays the story of Wali Songo or nine propagators of Islam in Java will also be built inside the park.

“We will also develop a kris (traditional Javanese dagger) village and batik village which can represent cultural heritage of Madura to the world. We hope Indonesia in general and Madura in particular can become an international tourist destination for Muslim travellers,” Khofifah said, adding that the Maduranese community can welcome new industries in the region as long as it will strengthen Madura’s image as a religious region.

The Governor went on to say that the island of Madura is not only known as a salt producer, but also has large sugar plantations. However, sugar factories have yet to be built in that region. Thus, the Governor expressed hope that the factories will be built immediately.

“I have met with a number of prominent figures in Madura who have recommended me to develop sugar cane factories,” she said.

Coordinating Minister for the Economy Darmin Nasution and Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono have approved to the plan to build the park and sugar cane factories as concrete efforts to develop areas surrounding the Suramadu Bridge.

Nevertheless, East Java Governor has been asked to propose regents and/or heads of local office in the province to join the BPWS. Darmin also suggested involving ulema (Islamic leaders) and prominent figures in Madura as BPWS’s Board of Advisors. (Coordinating Ministry for the Economy PR/ES)

Indonesia, as current President of the United Nations Security Council, has urged improving the safety and performance of United Nations peacekeepers during the UN Security Council Open Debate on May 2019. The UN Security Council Open Debate, entitled "Investing in Peace: Delivering Quality Training and Capacity Building to Improve Safety and Security and Performance of UN Peacekeepers", was held under the framework of Indonesia's Presidency of the Security Council in May 2019.

The Indonesia government highlighted the theme because of Indonesia’s commitment to the importance of the work of the peacekeepers. The Indonesian government said it believed that adequate preparations would greatly help the success of UN peacekeepers, Director General for Multilateral Affairs of the Foreign Affairs Ministry Febrian Ruddyard said.

He noted that the discussion about peacekeepers is in line with their superior record and the involvement of Indonesian peacekeepers. Indonesia ranked eighth among the 124 largest countries that contribute peacekeepers, with 3,000 personnel involved in various United Nations missions.

"Many countries do not yet match Indonesia's contribution. Obtaining 3,000 personnel is difficult, especially finding those of good quality, since peacekeepers undergo thorough training and many tests, he stated.

He also emphasized the importance of investment in training and developing peacekeepers' skills, which determine the success of the UN peacekeepers’ mission. Indonesia has become one of the largest contributors to UN peacekeepers. The UN peacekeepers have become one of the main components of global partnerships, collective leadership, and shared responsibilities for peace during past decades.

The blue beret corps are peacekeepers who are mandated by the United Nations to protect millions of people in war and conflict areas throughout the world. Meanwhile, peacekeepers remain a source of multilateral collaboration, in an effort to maintain peace.

However, peacekeepers face challenges due to political realities and world safety issues.

Also, safety and performance of peacekeepers are influenced by other factors. These factors include different conflict types, a lack of commitment for political solutions, inadequate preparation, involvement of transnational actors, including terrorists and foreign terrorist fighters (FTF). In fact, peacekeepers are needed to maintain world peace.

Therefore, the Indonesian government encouraged the improvement of safety and performance of UN peacekeepers through upgrading the quality of training and their abilities. Accordingly, Indonesian Foreign minister Retno Marsudi underlined the investment support for improving the quality of training and peacekeepers' abilities.

"We must remember that peacekeepers represent the UN security council. Thus, our support to peacekeepers should be in line with current challenges and conflicts," the minister said. (ant)

Indonesian swift nest processed products opened two stores earlier this week in Zhengzhou city, China. The two stores, operated with Chinese importing company Yan Ty Ty, opened in the capital city of Henan Province on Monday (13/5). The company imports swift nests from PT Anugerah Citra Walet Indonesia.

"These swift nest importers have met the standards set by the Chinese authority," Indonesian Ambassador to China Djauhari Oratmangun said, Beijing on Wednesday.

In 2012, Indonesian companies first met the standards set by the Chinese government for exporting swift nests. In November 2014, six exporters of swift nests received certificates from the China Accreditation Administration and Certification Agency (CNCA).

The export value of swift nests rose from US$22.3 million (some Rp322 billion) in 2015 to US$102.9 million (about Rp1.48 trillion) in 2017.

As of July 2018, there were 21 swift nest processing industries from Indonesia that had received CNCA certificates, with 70.6 percent being imported. Indonesia controlled 67.1 percent of total swift nest imports from three Southeast Asian countries, especially Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand.

The swift nests consumption trend in China has shown an increase from 2014 to 2018, with expectations of consuming up to 1,000 tons in 2019. Indonesia is the largest swift nest producer in the world, while China is the largest swift nest consumer country.

"We are optimistic that Indonesian swift nest products will continue to be one of the leading export products in China," said Ambassador Oratmangun. (ant)

Indonesia and the United States continue working together in the transfer of knowledge and technology related to unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). The cooperation is part of the US-Indonesia Aviation Working Group, called "Strengthening Aviation by Incorporating Innovative Technology in Indonesia".

"I express my gratitude to the US government for their cooperation with the Indonesian government through the Aviation Working Group, which has been carried out since 2016. We really appreciate the close cooperation that was built between the two countries," the Transportation Ministry's director general of air transportation, Polana B Pramesti, said in a statement in Jakarta on Wednesday.

According to Pramesti, the use of drones or unmanned aircraft has been developing quickly, as they offer a variety of capabilities and sophistication, and the industry has promising economic potential.

"This is a challenge for regulators and requires special time to regulate air traffic management," Pramesti said.

"The general challenge lies in integrating manned and unmanned aircraft safely and efficiently, especially when they use the same airspace," she added.

With the Aviation Working Group, she expects this activity to provide a number of solutions to challenges, such as flight regulations related to the two countries, UAS technology updates and sharing related to the US Government in handling UAS operations, as well as discussions regarding Indonesia's infrastructure in facing developments of UAS, along with risks and supervision.

"As we know, the operation of the UAS has provided a number of benefits in various sectors, therefore the Directorate General of Air Transportation needs to support the operation of UAS, as long as it complies with the rules without overriding safety and security," Pramesti said.

US Ambassador to Indonesia Joseph R. Donovan said the working group aimed at strengthening aviation cooperation between the US and Indonesia.

"The aviation industry has an important role in Indonesia's development. Given Indonesia's geography, which has thousands of islands, the airline industry is quite reliable. Just like other economic sectors, the aviation industry must continue to develop, in line with technology. One of these sectors is the New Aviation System, the Unmanned Aircraft System. We, the US, see that UAS technology will have a significant impact on the aviation sector," he pointed out.

Donovan added, this was inseparable from the ability and advantages of UAS, which can send aid in a short time, be used to assist the development of the digital economy and e-commerce, as well as increase the reliability of economic development and infrastructure.

UAS is undeniable, very efficient and effective in reaching remote areas---in accordance with Indonesia's geographical conditions.

"We see that UAS technology can develop and have the potential to drive the aviation industry in Indonesia. However, the development of this industry is inseparable from the regulations and strategies implemented by stakeholders who support the development of this technology," Donovan said.

In this case, he continued, America is currently interested and committed to driving the aviation industry in Indonesia, a cooperation which is also supported by private companies and related stakeholders, such as the Federal Aviation Administration, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), as well as the US Industry and Trade Ministry. (ant)