VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

President Joko Widodo said that the amount of budget for research and development programs is Rp26 trillion. This number is regarded to be enough but it is still placed in various ministries and institutions, so that its use has not been maximally enjoyed by the people.

“So we all know that our development and research funds have reached Rp26 trillion. But there must be a big institution, so as it has a clear direction, to enable the targeted R&D programs to be properly achieved. By doing so, innovations will appear in our country. Now the funds are placed in several ministries and government agencies. So we don’t know where the focus is. So it is already a big budget although in the future we want to develop it," said President Joko Widodo. 

Earlier, Ahmad Zacky, Bukalapak founder and CEO, through his personal Twitter account said that Indonesia still ranks the 43rd in the development and research budget with a budget of 2 billion US dollars. The amount of the budget is still lsmall compared to the funds owned by developed countries in supporting research and development. According to Jokowi, the government will also consider providing tax relief in the form of Super Deductible Tax for private sectors who want to be involved in supporting the government in encouraging research and development efforts for these innovations. (VOI/Ndy/PUTRI/AHM)

The economic approach and political approach sometimes often make restlessness and cause tensions in the world civilization. It was stated by the Chairman of the Jakarta Arts Council Irawan Karseno in his remarks at the opening of the Iranian Culture and Arts Festival in Jakarta, Saturday (16/2). According to him the art and culture approach is believed to be a solution to these tensions.

"As we know, sometimes economic approach, political approach, even quote unquotes, religious approach, often make anxiety and often create tension in the world civilization. And we must believe that the art and culture approach is the solution, because the art and culture approach is very close to humanity. Hopefully we are all remain convinced that (with) art and culture, the life and the world will be better," said Irawan Karseno. 

Meanwhile, the Cultural Counselor of the Iranian Embassy, ​​Mehrad Rakhshandeh said that through this cultural exhibition the relations between the two countries in the field of culture are expected to be better. (VOI / AHM)

To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, the Iranian Embassy in Indonesia is holding Iranian Culture and Art Festival in Jakarta. In his remarks at the opening of the festival on Saturday (02/16/2019) at Taman Ismail Marzuki, Jakarta, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran Valiollah Mohammadi said that in 2019 Iran and Indonesia would be more active in the field of culture.

“I hope in 2019 we’re trying to be more active in the field of culture and other sectors related to culture, science and technology, education, music, films, and other parts," said Valiollah Mohammadi. 

Ambassador Valiollah added that these days one team from Indonesia, from the Tourism Ministry and also from cultural centers of Indonesia in Tehran, have been active in promoting Indonesian tourism in Iranand organizing Indonesian cultural performances in Iran. In addition, they will also hold a Hijab exhibition in one of the cities in Iran. The Iranian Culture and Art Festival is held at Taman Ismail Marzuki, Jakarta from February 16-19 2019. (VOI / AHM)