VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesia becomes a partner in the Luang Prabang Film Festival scheduled to be held from December 7-12 in Luang Prabang, Laos. Indonesian ambassador to Laos, Pratito to Voice of Indonesia in a special interview on Tuesday, October 9th, 2018 said that the theme to be rased in the 9th film festival is Indonesia. He also said that through this festival, Indonesia can open a new opportunity for Indonesian film industry in Laos. According to him the international festival gives opportunity to introduce Indonesia to Laos and the world. He added the number of Laos people visiting Indonesia is still low and vice versa. 

"This time Indonesia is requested to be the only theme. So every films and everything that will be shown in the festival is about Indonesia," said Pratito.

Ambassador Pratito further explained that every year Luang Prabang Film Festival raises different theme from different countries. The festival is held on the UNESCO wold herittage site, Luang Prabang. The festival will feature movie screening, short film program, and public discussion featuring Indonesian film directors and film experts. Last year the festival featured 32 big screens and was visited by 22,000 people. (VOI/SEKAR/Trans : NK/AHM)

Laos Deputy Foreign Minister, Khampao Erntahavanh handed over 100,000 US dollars in aid from the Lao Government to the victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Central Sulawesi Province. The assistance was handed over to the Indonesian Ambassador to Laos, Pratito Soeharyo on October 8, 2018 at the Laos Foreign Ministry building. Ambassador Pratito Soeharyo told RRI World Service Voice of Indonesia in a special interview on Tuesday, October 9, that the Lao government expressed deep sympathy for the victims and natural disaster. This assistance is a tangible manifestation of the closeness of relations, friendship and solidarity from Laos to Indonesia.

"This is a sincere assistance from the Lao government. One, as a fellow ASEAN country. Secondly, we have a very long history relationship. We may remember the kingdom of Champa. And we always support each other, where our position in the global is both political and economic. There is a reciprocity. We never feel to owe from them, and so do they. So this is a feeling of concern and support if one, for example, when our neighbor is in problems and disaster, we try to help with sincerity," Pratito said in an interview by phone.

Ambassador Pratito further explained that the Indonesian Embassy in Vientiane will immediately coordinate with relevant Ministries / Agencies so that the Lao Government's assistance can be utilized as well as possible. According to him, the Government of Laos has provided assistance 2 times for natural disaster in Indonesia, namely in 2005 for tsunami in Aceh and in 2010 for natural disasters in Wasior (West Papua), Mentawai Islands (West Sumatra) and Mount Merapi in Central Java. (VOI/SEKAR?TRANS NUKE/AHM)

Asian Para Games 2018 has run for four days. One of the sports that has been competed is sitting volley ball. It is still in a qualification match on the fourth day. In this qualification match, Indonesian women sitting volley team competed with Japan. The match was interesting, even Indonesian team won the third match. But eventually Indonesia have to admit Japanese strength with the score 25-18, 25-7, 19-25 and 25-21. Japanese Coach Mano Yoshihisa said after the match that he was enthusisastic to meet Indonesian team. He also gives special notes to one of Indonesian Players.

"One of the players, Annisa, number 7, since the friendly match last May, has fought very hard to motivate other players to get extra point and in my opinion, it is good," said Mano.

On the same occassion, the Japanese Coach Mano Yoshihisa added that in the Asian Para Games 2018, Japan targeted to beat Iran that have beaten them in the previous match. For the next preparation Mano said he always watches the opponents play through the video and then he prepares the strategy to face them. (VOI/IHSAN/TRANS NUKE/AHM)

Indonesian Youth and Sport Minister, Imam Nahrawi said that Indonesian women Judo athlete, Miftahul Jannah that was disqualified from Asian Para Games 2018 was becuase she refused to take off her headscarf or hijab during the game. In a press conference held at the Main Press Center of Gelora Bung Karno Sports Stadium, on Tuesday October 9th 2018, Minister Imam Nahrowi stated that what has happened to Miftahul Jannah is purely an international rule not discrimination or religious matters. 

"I do respect and admire Miftahul Jannah’s decision by not taking off her hijab. She kept it eventhough she had known it earlier that she had to remove her hijab during the game, because according to the regulation, it could be dangerous for the athlete. On the other hand, regulation of the International Judo Fderation has to be applied, no exception. This is the game. It is not a matter of different religion or anything, but it is purely the principles and regulation that have to be applied," said Imam Nahrawi.

Furthermore, Imam Nahrawi said that with the disqualification, it will be a homework for the International Judo Federation to find a breakthrough of hijab modification that can be used by the athletes. Imam also said that he will try to ask International Judo Federation to have flexible regulation especially for Muslim athletes. (VOI/TONO/TRANS NK/AHM)