Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla, revealed the 2018 Asian Para Games which was held in Jakarta from 6-13 October 2018 was more than sports events between Asian countries. Jusuf Kalla considered the 2018 Asian Para Games has given a spirit of equality in humanity. Before thousands of spectators of the closing ceremony of the 2018 Asian Para Games at the Madya Stadium, Gelora Bung Karno (GBK), Jakarta, Saturday, October 13, 2018, Jusuf Kalla said, the 2018 Asian Para Games was an important momentum or part of the history of Asian nations, especially Indonesia.

"The  2018 Asian Para Games is more than a sports event, more than competition, more than winning medals for the country. But the event is to win the spirit of equality and humanity that embraces diversity, destroying stigma and prejudice. This is an important momentum for the history of Asian nations for the successful 2018 Asian Para Games," Jusuf Kalla said.

Furthermore, Jusuf Kalla also mentioned that athletes who competed in this event had shown various excellences despite their shortcomings. He thanked the participating athletes, because all this week they have shown that people with disabilities are far stronger, better, and more capable than the world thinks. According to Jusuf Kalla, this hard work and extraordinary achievements have undermined obstacles and changed perceptions of people with disabilities. The Asian Para Games 2018 closing ceremony began with a countdown, then continued with the action of the little polices. After that, a moment of silence was carried out to mourn the quake and tsunami victims in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, Palu and Donggala, in Central Sulawesi. Besides Indonesian Vice President, there were also the Chairman of the Indonesian Asian Para Games Organizing Committee (INAPGOC) Raja Sapta Oktohari, Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan, and President of the Asian Paralympic Committee Majid Rashed attending the closing ceremony. (Rezha/trans by PUTRI/AHM)

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) hands over bonuses for Indonesian athletes in the 2018 Asian Para Games medal at the Presidential Palace in Bogor, West Java, Saturday (10/13/2018) afternoon. The awarding of bonuses was carried out symbolically to 3 athletes, namely: Hendy Wirawan from the chess sports branch representing gold medalists; Aris from swimming representing the silver medalists; and Sriyanti from Lawnball representing bronze medalists. Jokowi in his remarks appreciated the athletes who have worked hard in preparing themselves and competing in the 2018 Asian Para Games. Jokowi symbolically handed over gifts in the form of passbooks and ATMs to four athletes attending the event. The amount of bonuses given are the same as those given to the Asian Games athletes. The Gold medalists get a bonus of Rp 1.5 billion and opportunities to become civil servants or work in state-owned enterprises. Meanwhile, the silver medalists get a bonus worth Rp. 500 million. While the bronze medalist received Rp 250 million. The athletes who did not win medals and the coaches are also given bonus worth Rp. 20 million respectively. According to the President, the state will not suffer from material loses for giving bonuses because the athletes have raised the name of the dignity of Indonesia in Asia. (KBRN, 14.10'18Sg14.10.2018/TRANS AHM)

In commemorating the World Girls' Day which fell on October 11, 2018, the Coordinating Ministry of Maritime Affairs gives an opportunity for a student from Lembata, East Nusa Tenggara, Maria Lengari or Osin to have experience and opportunities to become the Coordinating Minister for maritime affairs for one day. This is part of the Plan International Indonesia Foundation (YPII) program which collaborates with several ministries including the Ministry of Maritime Affairs to choose Indonesian daughters to sit as ministers for one day. At a press conference held in Jakarta on Thursday (11/10), Secretary of Maritime Affairs Ministry, Agus Purwoto explained that Coordinating Minister Luhut Binsar Panjaitan fully supported the activity.

"So it is not the program of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs. So this is one of the destinations to be here and we appreciate the permission of Mr. Luhut because he also wants to introduce to all Indonesians that since Indonesia’s independence day, this is the first time Indonesia has Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs. This is what he wants to broadcast,” said Agus Purwoto.

Maria Lengari or Osin is one of twelve girls who has been selected to participate in the "One Day Minister" program. This activity has been carried out for the third time in Indonesia and was participated in by more than 300 participants from all over Indonesia. (VOI/NUKE/AHM)

The Palestinian government provides humanitarian assistance to the Indonesian government for victims of the earthquake and tsunami in the cities of Palu and Donggala, Central Sulawesi. The 21 truck assistance consists of food, drinks, electricity generating equipment and baby needs. The Palestinian Ambassador to Indonesia, Zuhair Al Shun, in a press release at the Palestinian Embassy office in Jakarta on Thursday (11/10) said that the aids from the Palestinian people and nation is a form of brotherhood between the two countries. On the same occasion, the Director General of the Palestinian International Cooperation Agency / PICA, Imad Al Zuhairi said the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas gave direct instructions to the agency to provide assistance to areas affected by the earthquake and tsunami.

"Initially, we receive direct instructions from President Mahmoud Abbas to immediately move to provide assistance to the areas affected by earthquake and tsunami. Based on information received from the Indonesian government , the location is still isolated and it is impossible for us to reach it. So it hampers our movement. So we carry out the second plan which is to give the assistance here in Jakarta only," Imad Al Zuhairi.

Imad Al Zuhairi added that the Palestinian government would continue to provide assistance to the Indonesian government not only during the disaster but also during post-disaster recovery. (VOI/Viqran/AHM)