VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno L. P. Marsudi, at the UN Security Council meeting to discuss the situation in the Middle East, presented and explained in detail three vital measures for dealing with the Palestinians' problems. 

The UN Security Council meeting, chaired by Marsudi, was held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, the United States, on Wednesday (May 20), according to the Foreign Affairs Ministry's written statement received in Jakarta on Thursday.

The meeting to deliberate on the Middle East situation was led by the Indonesian foreign minister in Indonesia's capacity as the UNSC president for May 2019, and all members of the Security Council were in attendance.

The meeting was held to get the latest updates on the current situation in the Middle East, including the issue of Palestine, Syria, and Yemen. Through a video conference, recent developments in the Middle East were delivered by the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO) Nickolay Mladenov and Commissioner General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) Pierre Krhenbhl.

At the meeting, the Indonesian foreign minister highlighted the need to adopt three key measures in a bid to solve the problems faced by the Palestinian government and people.

Firstly, the Indonesian government laid emphasis on the importance of providing protection to Palestinian civilians. Minister Marsudi cited the independent commission's report earlier this year indicating human rights violations by the occupying power, including violence against the media and health workers in Palestine. To this end, Marsudi reiterated the importance of offering international protection to Palestinian civil society.

Under the second measure, the Indonesian government also focused on the necessity to take concrete steps to tackle the humanitarian crisis in Palestine.

Minister Marsudi affirmed that the efforts to bring about an improvement in the economic and social conditions of the Palestinian society is one of the key measures to be adopted. She lauded the UNWRA for its various programs implemented to improve the lives of the Palestinian people. Marsudi further echoed Indonesia's readiness to continue to support UNRWA's endeavors.

Finally, the Indonesian government has pushed for restarting the peace process between Israel and Palestine without further delay. Hence, it is necessary to promptly establish a credible peace process that guarantees equality for all parties in peace negotiations.

"The new perspective in the peace process does not mean overlooking the prevailing global parameters. For Indonesia, there is no other alternative than the two-state solution," Marsudi stated.

In addition to the Palestinian issue, the Indonesian foreign minister emphasized that the security condition in the Middle East will impact the global security situation. Hence, the UN Security Council should ensure concrete progress.

The meeting, led by the Indonesian foreign minister, demonstrates Indonesia's commitment to the peace process in the Middle East, particularly the issue of peace in Palestine. During its membership in the Security Council, Indonesia has consistently voiced the struggle of the Palestinian people as one of the priority issues.  (ANTARA)

Transportation Minister Budi Karya has said that the Eid al-Fitr exodus this year must run smoothly and remain safe.

"In accordance with the directives of President Joko Widodo, this year's Eid al-Fitr exodus must be carried out smoothly and safely. There should be no problems encountered by travelers. Moreover, our exodus theme is 'Eid al-Fitr exodus together, fun and smooth'," Budi Karya said in Bandarlampung on Thursday.

The minister attended a coordinating meeting on the 2019 Eid al-Fitr travel period in Lampung on Thursday to discuss preparations for assisting homebound travelers at Bakauheni Seaport, toll roads, trains and airports in Lampung.

The ministry offers free travel in Merak and Bakauheni seaports by ferry and naval ship to assist travelers crossing the sea between Java Island and Sumatra Island from Merak Seaport in Banten Province (Java) and Bakauheni Seaport in Lampung Province, Sumatra Island.

During the meeting, Governor of Lampung M Ridho Ficardo expressed his gratitude to the Transportation Minister for attending the meeting.

"I am very grateful that this year travelers can use the Bakauheni-Terbanggi Besar toll road, up to the Simpang Pematang toll road," he said.

Indonesian Muslims, constituting over 85 percent of the country's 260 million population, will celebrate Eid al-Fitr Islamic Holiday on June 5-6, 2019, following the Ramadan fasting month.

Most Indonesian Muslims follow the tradition of celebrating Eid al-Fitr Holiday in their hometowns with their families.

As a result, there is an exodus of travelers, particularly from cities to villages, during this time of year. (ANTARA)

Foreign Minister of Indonesia. Retno Marsudi chaired the UNSC in UNHQ, New York this morning (22/05). She called for all parties to exercise maximum restraint and uphold multilateralism principles, through dialogue and negotiations.

After the session on UNSC, Minister Retno had a good meeting with Amb. Joanna Wronecka of Poland. Indonesia is appreciative of the protection of civilization in Armed Conflict. She also met Permanent Representative Jan Kickert of Austria in the UNHQ

She had also met Swiss Representative. Indonesia and Switzerland have a good cooperation in Humanitarian diplomacy. The members of the Group of Friends of Protection of Civilians. Discussed with the Permanent Representative of Switzerland, H.E. Jurg Lauber.

Finally, Minister Retno Marsudi had a good discussion with the PR of Norway, H.E. Mona Juul, New York on the issue of Palestine at the UN  I also conveyed a request for Norway's support towards Indonesia's candidacy in the UNHRC 2020-2022. (kemenlu twitter)

In addition to holding MotoGP in 2021, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said that it would be even more efficient or better for country branding if Indonesia also had Formula One (F1) car racing, which is the world's leading car racing.

"He said that this F1 should be explored to be held in the context of Indonesian country branding and also in strengthening sports tourism brands in Indonesia in addition to MotoGP, and also Indonesia's efforts to host the Olympic Games in 2032," said Director of Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) Abdulbar Mansoer ended with the Chairman of the Indonesian Olympic Committee (KOI) Erick Thohir received by President Jokowi, at the Presidential Palace in Bogor, West Java (West Java), Wednesday (5/22) afternoon.

As the Mandalika Special Economic Zone (KEK) manager, in Central Lombok Regency, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), which will be the arena for the Street Race circuit for MotoGP 2021, IDC Managing Director Abdulbal Mansoer expressed his readiness to support the government's program.

"We will immediately follow up the President's direction to see the possibility that F1 can be held at the Mandalika Circuit," Abdulbar said.

According to the Director of ITDC, in the near future he will also coordinate with those who will work together on this matter in holding F1 racing. He hopes in the near future to be able to convey more things about the possibility of bringing F1 in Indonesia after MotoGP.

So far, continued Abdulbar, the government strongly supports the implementation of the MotoGP in Mandalika. In fact, continued Abdulbar, the President conveyed to the press also that the access road from the airport to Mandalika would be built by the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR), then there would be widening of the airport runway, as well as repairing the port for cruise. "So the support from the government is very clear," he said.

ITDC itself, according to Abdulbar, only built the circuit with its partner, Vinci. ITDC is the owner of the land and is now in the stage of completing homologation, continued Abdulbar, then the related parties will also complete the technical documents.

"So in October, Insya Allah, God willing, we will start building in a period of 12 months, the road will only run for 4.3 kilometers. And here we have also confirmed that it can be used for F1 too. For MotoGP we will start road construction in October 2019, "said Abdulbar.

Regarding the possibility of adjusting the circuit development specs from the motorbike arena to the F1 race arena, the Director of ITDC Abdulbas Mansoer stated, even though he only received this news a few days ago, his team immediately confirmed that the shape of the shape did not need to be changed.

"There is only treatment for topsoil and some signals or sensors that we have to add because the nature is somewhat different but it will not change significantly from the budget side or from the technical side of the road," said Abdulbar.

While KOI Chairman Erick Thohir considered, the track being built in Mandalika can also be used for car racing, and there is no waste for the F1 racing arena or other car racing vehicles.

In fact, according to Erick, there all parties also see this opportunity not only as an organizer but also how to be associated with future investment, tourism investment.

"We know that Indonesia is exploring not only halal tourism but also how to explore becoming a country that does not compete with neighboring countries such as Thailand, Malaysia in selling sports tourism or culture," Erick said. (kemensetkab)