VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesian President Joko Widodo, said that the financing of the State Revenue and Expenditure Budget of 2019 State Budget will be carried out accountably. 17 of 2003 concerning State Finance.  President Jokowi in a financial memorandum address at the General Assembly of the Indonesian People's Consultative Assembly, in Jakarta on Thursday (August 16) stated that debt management was also carried out more carefully to reduce risks and costs. The government will also implement expansionary fiscal policies and set a budget deficit target of 1.84 percent in 2019.

"Debt management is more careful to reduce risks and costs, and direct its use more productively for development programs in education, health, infrastructure, social protection and regional development. In 2019, the Government continues to take a measured expansionary fiscal policy, in order to encourage a sustainable and equitable economy for all Indonesians. Expansive fiscal policy is proportionately carried out carefully to maintain future fiscal sustainability. This is indicated by the smaller State Budget deficit from 2.59 percent of GDP in 2015 to around 2.12 percent in 2018 and in 2019 it will be reduced to 1.84 percent," the President said.

Furthermore, President Jokowi explained, the improvement of fiscal policy was also indicated by the primary balance deficit which in 2015 reached 142.5 trillion rupiah, down to only 64.8 t trillion rupiah in 2018, and continued to be directed even further towards deficit 21, 7 trillion rupiah at 2 019. The President hopes, through the fiscal policy direction, Indonesia will be able to achieve a balanced primary balance or surplus in the near future. In addition to a reduction in the budget deficit, to control additional debt, the Government also reduction of budget financing in 2019 by 5.4 percent.  This control measure is consistent with that carried out in 2018, which also reduces financing by around 14.3 percent. With a smaller State Budget deficit and smaller primary balance deficit , with a realistic increase in income, with increasingly quality and on target shopping, as well as prudent and productive financing, the President also hoped the state budget would be healthier, fairer and more independent. (VOI/Rezha/AHM)

Indonesian President Joko Widodo discussed various education programs when delivering information from the government on the 2019 Draft Law on the State Budget (RAPBN) before the General Assembly of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) and the House of Representatives (DPR). In 2019, the education budget is planned to be at Rp. 478.9 trillion. This education investment becomes important because it is part of improving the quality of human resources. According to President Jokowi, in the five-year period from 2014-2019, there were around 27 thousand people who received scholarships for the Education Fund Management Institute (LPDP) throughout the country. Another interesting thing is that when Jokowi said next year there would be 400 thousand more Bidikmisi Scholarship recipients for those from disadvantaged groups.

"In 2019, the Government will provide scholarships to 20.1 million students through the Smart Indonesia Program and 471.8 thousand students through the Bidik Misi scholarship. In addition, in the 2014-2019 period, the Government also invested through the Education Fund Management Institute (LPDP) by providing scholarships to around 27 thousand students from all over the country to continue their masters and doctor degree at the best universities in Indonesia and abroad, as well as financing 123 selected research contracts," President Joko Widodo said.

In addition, according to President Jokowi, the state spending on education in 2019 will also be directed to strengthen the school operational costs (BOS) program for 57 million students, improve the quality of civil servant and non-civil servant teachers through professional allowances, and accelerate school development and rehabilitation. In addition, it is also aimed at building 1,407 practice rooms at Vocational Schools and assistance for training or certification of 3,000 students, strengthening more massive and integrated vocational programs across ministries, as well as the construction of classroom and laboratory facilities for 1,000 Islamic boarding schools (pesantren). (VOI/REZHA/AHM)

On Saturday, August 18, the 2018 Asian Games was officially opened at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, Jakarta. The organizing committee and the athletes have been preparing themselves to be the best in this Asian sporting event. // This year Indonesia has hosted the Asian Games for the second time, which was held 56 years ago, in 1962. // All Indonesians, especially in Jakarta and Palembang, South Sumatra, are very enthusiastic in welcoming the grand annual sporting event. Singapore, which is also involved in the 2018 Asian Games, is optimistic that Indonesia will be able to be an extraordinary host and be able to welcome all athletes and officials properly. It was stated by Ambassador of Singapore to Indonesia Anil Kumar Nayar in a special interview with Voice of Indonesia in Jakarta, recently.

"I think sports is something that brings us together. It gets everybody enthustiactic and excited and in fact I have seen you in Jakarta across from all of Indonesia very excited to be hosting the Asian Games here in 1962. I 'm very confident that Indonesia will be an excellent host because by nature Indonesia is very welcoming. And I think they will be an excellent host for this event. And I'm very sure it will be a success" Anil Nayar said.

Furthermore Ambassador Anil Kumar Nayal said, at the 2018 Asian Games, Singapore sends 265 athletes to compete in 21 sports. At the 2014 Asian Games, Singapore sent 223 athletes and was able to donate five gold, six silvers and 14 bronzes.  Singapore does not have a specific target to face the 2018 Asian Games. (VOI/Rezha/AHM)

Indonesia as a traditional friendly country of South Korea and North Korea has always played a constructive role in building peace in the Korean Peninsula. This was conveyed by South Korea's Ambassador to Indonesia Kim Chang-beom in an exclusive interview with Voice of Indonesia in the commemoration of Korea's Independence Day, on August 15, at the South Korean Embassy in Jakarta, recently. According to Ambassador Kim Chang-beom, the Korean Peninsula is currently in crucial crossing for a change, and Indonesia also acts as a bridge connecting the two Koreas in multilateral forums. He stressed that all the positive movements that have taken place can build the confidence of the United States, South Korea and North Korea. However, the resolution of problems in Semenjung Korea still requires the role of the international community including Indonesia.

"So all this series of positive movements can build trust between the US, North Korea and South Korea. However, the journey is still long, because building a permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula is like running a marathon, unlike a short distance of 100 meters, we cannot solve it with just one strong push, we need patience and need greater attention and need greater support from international community including Indonesia. Indonesia has played a constructive role in creating peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula," said Kim Chang-beom.

Kim Chang-beom further said that through Pyeongchang's winter olimpics, the two Koreas had been able to resolve some difficulties and agreed to join together in the athlete's parade at the opening of the Winter Olympics in South Korea and form a women's ice hockey team. He added, for the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang, South Sumatra, South Korea and North Korea will enter together with one flag in the opening parade. In addition, the two Koreas have agreed to form a joint team for several sports including basketball. (VOI/Lip. DP/AHM)