VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

President Joko Widodo during his working visit to Banten Province today, February 18, 2019, directly reviewed the simulation of the Disaster Preparedness (Tagana) Midshipman program as one of the disaster mitigation education efforts. The review was conducted at Panimbang Jaya 1 Public Elementary School, Panimbang District, Pandeglang Regency.

At the location, the President immediately reviewed the instructors providing disaster education to students. To facilitate the students, the stages of disaster safety are packaged in the form of a song.

"If there is an earthquake, protect your head, if there is an earthquake, go under the table. If there is an earthquake, avoid glass, if there is an earthquake, go to the gathering point," said the song sung by students.

The next simulation activity, the students are trained to be responsive in responding to sirens that signal the disaster sounds. As soon as the siren is sounded, they appear orderly following all instructions and gather at a predetermined gathering point. After the review, the President admitted that he was happy to see students who were responsive when attending disaster simulations. He said that most importantly, this disaster education had begun.

"Earlier we tested the child, I think it's fast and can practice it," the President said to journalists.

The President hopes that this disaster education will continue, especially in disaster-prone areas. "This will be done in all provinces, which are prone to disasters. Prioritized, prioritizing disaster-prone ones," said the President. 

In addition, based on information obtained from the Head of the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) Dwikorita Karnawati, radar to monitor the tsunami has been installed in Serang.

"We will continue with two more in another place, but still waiting in March. We will complete this one," he said.

Meanwhile, related to the homes of residents affected by the Sunda Strait tsunami that occurred last December 22, 2018, the President said that there were around 800 houses that needed to be repaired. He also ordered the Head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Doni Monardo to resolve the problem of the residents' houses first.

"There are 800 houses here which have been decided by the Regent, with the Governor, with the Head of BNPB to be given in the form of money only. So they can be done quickly in the field and I have agreed before," he said.

When conducting the review, the President was accompanied by Social Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasastima, Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko, Head of BMKG Dwikorita Karnawati, Head of BNPB Doni Monardo, and Banten Governor Wahidin Halim. 

 Indonesia is set to sign a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with Australia in March 2019, Indonesian Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita stated.

"We want to make a business forum in March. We need its scope. It is true (we will sign the CEPA)," he noted in Jakarta last week. 

Indonesia and Australia agreed on CEPA when Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison had paid a visit to Indonesia in August 2018.  Indonesian Trade Minister Lukita and Australian Minister of Trade and Tourism and Investment Simon Birmingham had signed a joint declaration of CEPA in the presence of the two countries` leaders.

However, the signing of the CEPA was put on hold following Australia`s plan to move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Total trade between the two countries had reached US$8.3 billion last year, with Indonesia suffering a deficit of $3.48 billion. (ant)

The Dutch Ambassador to Indonesia, Rob Swartbol, ​​handed over Prince Claus 2018 Award to Eka Kurniawan at a celebration at Erasmus Huis, Jakarta, Saturday (02/16). Previously, in December 2018, Eka Kurniawan had received the award from the Kingdom of the Netherlands at an official ceremony at the Royal Palace, Amsterdam. In his remarks at the Prince Claus 2018 award celebration in Jakarta, the Dutch Ambassador to Indonesia explained the reason why the Jury chose Eka Kurniawan to be one of the recipients of the Prince Claus Award 2018.

"His writing combines elements of local tradition, oral history, magical realism, Indonesian martial arts and horror comics to illustrate the experiences of people in layers. Novels, short stories, essays, film scripts and graphic novels, break through social barriers, reach diverse audiences by entertaining with local stories that reveal terrible historical truths," said Ambassador Rob Swartbol quoting the jury. 

Prince Claus Award is annually held by Prince Claus Fund to honor an outstanding award in the field of cultural development. The awards are given to individuals, groups or organizations whose activities are given to the community. Eka Kurniawan, an Indonesian writer born in Tasikmalaya, West Java, was chosen as one of the recipients of the 2018 Prince Claus Awards in literature category along with several individuals from various countries who received awards in the fields of theater, architecture and urbanism, film, media, photography and dance. (VOI / AHM)