VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi officially submit on Thursday ( 11/ 4 ) Heri Ardiansyah to the family. At the same time, Mme. Marsudi also submit it symbolically corpse of Hariadin who died in the process of liberation in Southern Philippines.

On behalf of the Government, Mme. Retno Marsudi convey deep condolences over the death of Hariadin and hope the family can be resilient in the face of this ordeal. Both the Indonesian citizens taken hostage by armed groups in the southern Philippines since December 2018. (twitter menlu)

Women are not only part of the solution, but also a source of peace and security ", said the Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi, when officially opening the Regional Training on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) event held in Jakarta, Indonesia on 8 - April 10, 2019.

Furthermore, the Indonesian Foreign Minister delivered 3 (three) suggestions to ensure that women's involvement in security and peace. First, it emphasizes the importance of the role of women as agents of peace and tolerance. Second, doubling efforts to mainstream the role of women in the peace agenda in the Region. Third, build and foster a network of female negotiators and mediators in the Region.

To realize these three things, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has held a Training on Women, Peace and Security for around 60 female diplomats from ASEAN member countries, Timor Leste and Papua New Guinea. The activity aims to be a place for learning and sharing best practices for young female diplomats in building capacity to analyze and prevent conflicts, and build post-conflict peace.

The training also seeks to align with Indonesia's commitment to being a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council and ASEAN commitments as stated in the "Joint Statement on Promoting Women, Peace and Security in ASEAN" adopted by ASEAN leaders on November 13, 2017 at the ASEAN Summit 31st in the Philippines.

In a broader context, women also play a key role in maintaining peace through their role in the economic, social and cultural fields. Moreover, the UN Women research shows that women's participation in peace negotiations increases the possibility of sustainable peace by 20%.

However, despite the important contribution of women in peace and security, women's representation and role is still inadequate in various phases of the peace process. Seeing this, there is a crucial need to actively support women's participation in the ongoing peace process before, during and after the conflict.

For three days, the regional training participants had discussed and shared best practices with panelists who were full of experience in issues of peace & security. The panelists consisted of figures from the military and police, government, think tanks and non-government organizations. Participants will also be invited to visit the Social Rehabilitation Center for Children in Need of "Handayani" Special Protection (BRSAMPK) and the Indonesian Peace and Security Center (IPSC) Region.

With this activity, Foreign Minister Retno hoped that the role of women in peace and security should not be extraordinary, but rather became the norm. (mofa indonesia) 

Indonesia's state-owned enterprise producing military and commercial products, PT Pindad, has planned to develop Anoa 3 panzer to be known as Anoa desert, which would then be exported to Middle East countries.

“Anoa 3 is a panzer with more powerful engines and wider cross-field capabilities,” said General Manager of Weapons at PT Pindad, Yayat Ruyat in Sentul, West Java, on Tuesday.

He stated that Anoa 3 panzer will be able to cross difficult terrains, like deserts. So it will be offered to countries in the Middle East region.

“There is already a request for this panzer in Saudi Arabia. They have not stated the number, but they are interested in it and will try our Anoa panzer there,” Ruyat noted.

Besides being capable of crossing difficult terrains, this panzer will be equipped with instruments to face nuclear, biological, and chemical attacks.

“They will be able to take on nuclear attacks, and we will also improve the features of the existing Anoas,” he said.

According to Ruyat, the Anoa 3 is also equipped with an additional protection system, such as a protective ceramic plate that would be able to withstand rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) attacks.

“Our panzer, whether it is an Anoa 3 or a tank could be equipped  with an add-on ceramic, so when there are missile attacks, the missile would only destroy the ceramic plate. The vehicle and the personnel inside are expected to be still safe,” he uttered.

The Anoa 3 panzer is one of the innovation targets that will be carried out by Pindad this year. Other innovations that will be developed by Pindad in 2019 also include the development of Cornershot weapon prototypes for industrial scale and a number of other main defense system tools. (ant)

Indonesian President Joko Widodo highlighted the high level of responsibility carried out by all village heads in Indonesia, especially related to the management of Village Funds. This was conveyed by the President after giving a briefing to the Participants of the National gathering of Indonesian Village at Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta, Wednesday (10/4). The central government has poured some 257 trillion rupiah of village funds in the past five years. According to the President, the management of the funds gave a great responsibility to the Village Head. Therefore, the government will provide operational funds for each village head. This operational fund is intended to enable village heads to work optimally in managing and supervising the use of village funds.

“The village funds that we poured into the village are now Rp 257 trillion. This is big money. What does it mean? The village head has a big responsibility in every use of the budget in the village, for whatever. Thus, it is also necessary for village heads to control the operational funds, supervise the use of village funds in the field that can really be effective,” said the President.

Furthermore, President Joko Widodo said, the village heads would also be liable to report on the use of operational funds. However, the report is expected not to burden village heads, because it is oriented towards the successful use of village funds. Operations for the village head will still be discussed by the government. According to the President, discussion of the details of operational funds for the village head has been submitted to Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati. (VOI/Ndy/AHM)