VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Rini Soemarno wants the construction of all fast train stations to be completed on schedule, along with the completion of the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train project.

"Walini, including a large (fast train) station. After Lebaran the construction of the station here has begun," Minister Rini told reporters at Walini, West Bandung Regency, West Java, Tuesday.

Rini explained that the construction of the stations must begin so when the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train project is completed in 2020, all the stations will be completed.

"When the high-speed train is finished at the end of 2020, and in January 2021 the plan has been tested by running the train, we hope the station will be finished," he said, after formalizing the first tunnel connection of 13 Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train tunnels at Walini.

Minister Rini also said he hopes the construction of the transit-oriented developments (TOD) to begin soon.

"With the rapid development of the high-speed railway line, we also have to begin concentrating on the development of the TODs," he said.

At present, the progress of the construction of the Jakarta-Bandung fast train has reached 17.5 percent. The SOE minister is targeting the construction of the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train to reach 59 percent before the end of this year.

The Walini station will be connected to other public transportation modes, in order to improve the accessibility and mobility of people in the region.

With a land area of 1,278 hectares, Walini is is expected to become a Transit Oriented Development (TOD) area.

The system of integration and the development of improved public transport infrastructure in the region is expected to increase the productivity in the community.

Previously, PT Wijaya Karya (Persero) Tbk or Wika revealed that the project would also including building new properties. There are three large areas, the first in Karawang, the second is in Tegalluar, the Bandung border, and the third area is located in Walini.

Walini is to become a new city. With the three points of the area, projected revenues are expected to reach Rp266.1 trillion. (ant)

The Indonesian Embassy in Amman has again distributed donations in the form of packages breaking the fast for around 500 Palestinians in the Al Aqsa Mosque complex, Jerusalem, Sunday (12/5).

"The intended donation is a contribution from the Indonesian people as a form of concern for our brothers and sisters in Palestine," said the Indonesian Ambassador to Jordan and Palestine, Andy Rachmianto.

The iftar Ramadhan 1440H activity was held in collaboration with the Indonesian Embassy in Amman with volunteers from Indonesia who settled in Jerusalem as the holy city of three religions.

Andy Rachmianto stated that the concern of the Indonesian people to Palestine will never recede.

"This iftar activity is also proof that Indonesia is always with the Palestinians in any situation," he said.

Even though the holy city of Jerusalem is still occupied by Israel, this situation does not disturb the atmosphere of Palestinian Muslims to practice fasting, including breaking the fast and praying.

"Palestinian Muslims can still practice fasting, including iftar and prayer, even under the shadow of Israeli intimidation," Andy said.

Palestinian Muslims who fasted in an orderly manner cross-legged enjoying the breaking fast menu in the form of chicken rice and eggs cooked in the public kitchen. White water and some dates complete the iftar dish which takes place on the courtyard of the Al Aqsa Mosque as one of the three sacred mosques that must be visited by Muslims worldwide. (source: Indonesian Embassy in Amman).

"Indonesia is currently the largest presidential democracy in the world, with an electoral vote of 81% or 153 million in the general election which lasted only 5 hours on 17 April 2019 to elect the President and Vice President and 20,000 candidates for legislative" , said the Indonesian Ambassador to the United States, Mahendra Siregar to start the Indonesia Luncheon event which was attended by more than 50 entrepreneurs in Des Moines, the capital of Iowa state, United States (6/5)

"In my opinion it is not easy to maintain democracy in a turbulent situation like now. But Indonesia managed to show it to the international community in the recent elections with a high level of participation, which has never happened before," continued Ambassador Mahendra Siregar.

"Indonesia is one of the largest economies in the world and is a member of the G-20 with a total GDP of US $ 1.1 trillion, the 16th largest in the world, with a purchasing power of US $ 4 trillion and has a demographic dividend or productive age population which continues to increase ", Ambassador Mahendra Siregar added.

"Indonesia also shows impressive economic achievements and has managed to maintain a vibrant economy and achieve infrastructure development outside Java which is the priority of the Indonesian government at this time, in addition to education and health. In the past 6 years economic growth has stabilized, ranging from 5.1% - 5.2% per year, which will continue in the future. Likewise with a low inflation rate of 3% in recent years and is expected to be even lower, and succeed in reducing the poverty rate by 9%, "said the Ambassador Siregar.

Regarding the relations between the two countries, Ambassador Mahendra Siregar said that Indonesia and the United States had very strong and very stable strategic relations. This year diplomatic relations between the two countries reached the age of 70 years, which officially took place since December 28, 1949, where the United States was one of the main countries supporting the independence of the Republic of Indonesia.

"Indonesia and the United States have good strategic relations in the political and defense fields, but still need to be improved in the trade and investment sector. There is great potential in the agriculture and horticulture sector and derivative industries which can be further developed by both parties. in 2018 it reached US $ 30 billion, and I encouraged businessmen from both countries to build more strategic relationships, not only between B to B and company to company, but to build relationships in a broader direction as a group to utilize the various potentials offered Indonesia ", said Ambassador Mahendra Siregar.

On this occasion Ambassador Mahendra Siregar also explained the developments in the Southeast Asia region and the role of Indonesia in the United Nations.

"The Southeast Asia region will be the most dynamic region, which will be followed by improved stability. However, it will face various challenges, including proliferation of nuclear weapons in North Korea and tensions in the South China Sea between the 6 countries that claim it. the region, currently ASEAN countries will finalize the Code of Conduct on the South China Sea, where ASEAN member countries and 6 ASEAN partner countries will play a role in increasing stability in the region which has an important influence on world economic growth ", explained Ambassador Mahendra Siregar. (kjri-chicago)

The work of artists from Indonesia is once again an attractive display at the world's oldest and largest fine arts exhibition, the 58th Venice Art Biennale (VAB), in Venice, Italy.

The Indonesian Pavilion located in the Arsenale area displays installation artwork by an artistic team consisting of artists Syagini Ratna Wulan and Handiwirman Saputra, with curator Asmudjo Jono Irianto and co-curator Yacobus Ari Respati.

The theme raised this time is "Lost Verses: reason does not come once, negotiation does not come once", comes from the Minang proverb which can be interpreted as the inclusion of a thing into one's thoughts and feelings through a long negotiation process.

This 500 m2 pavilion is a former seaside warehouse formerly filled with a series of installations consisting of five components of work, namely: Negotiating Tables, Cribs, Cabinet Arrangements, Smoking Rooms and Narrative Machines. Here, art connoisseurs have the opportunity to have their own interpretations of the work displayed.

Head of the Creative Economy Agency (BEKRAF), Triawan Munaf officially opened the Indonesian Pavilion on May 8, 2019. The event was attended by a number of invitations consisting of activists and art lovers from various countries. The opening ceremony was also marked by cutting cone and serving Indonesian coffee.

In his remarks, the Head of BEKRAF said that in the exhibition the times reflected the uniqueness of Indonesia in Bhinneka Tunggal Ika. "The Indonesian Pavilion no longer displays the work of a single artist, but is an accumulation of visions from several artists who joined one team, carried out the process of negotiating ideas in the midst of diversity," said the Head of BEKRAF.

Syagini Ratna Wulan expressed her joy after the Indonesian Pavilion was officially opened. "Preparing the Indonesian Pavilion was very tiring in a relatively narrow time. But today is very fun, because the main character of Indonesia, which is hospitality, is felt by all attendees, "he said.

One visitor, Paula from Austria who is an art activist commented, "The Indonesian Pavilion is truly amazing, with a very original and Indonesian-style idea."

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Representative of the Indonesian Embassy in Rome, J.S. George Lantu in response to the visitors' questions about the meaning of this exhibition for the relations between Indonesia and Italy conveyed, "This exhibition has special meaning along with the Commemoration of 70 Years of Diplomatic Relations between Indonesia and Italy in 2019, which take the main theme of increasing creative economic cooperation and SMEs between the two countries ".

The Indonesian Pavilion at VAB 2019 is managed by BEKRAF together with the Design + Art Indonesia Foundation, and is open to the public from 11 May 2019 to 24 November 2019.

The Venice Art Biennale is the world's leading art exhibition, starting in 1895, and becoming a barometer of high-value works of art. VAB 2019 was attended by 90 countries, taking the big theme: "May You Live in Interesting Time" with curator Ralph Rugoff. (kemenlu)