VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Some 231 scholars, scholars, activists from various countries and international organizations gathered to attend the seventh World Peace Forum with the theme "The Middle Path for The World Civilizations" '. The forum was held by the Office of the President's Special Envoy for the Interfaith and Civilization Cooperation Dialogue (UKP-DKAAP), the Center for Dialogue and Cooperation among Civilizations (CDCC), along with the Malaysian social education organization, the Multi Culture Trust of Malaysia Cheng Ho was officially opened by the Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi in Jakarta, Tuesday, August 14, 2018. Met by the media after the opening ceremony of the forum, Minister Retno said that the middle path approach must be implemented in the community and able to be translated into programs that it is global in nature such as the economy that is directly related to the welfare of society.

"How can this middle path approach be applied? Firstly,the middle path approach can be implemented in an open society. Then the second is the middle path approach must also be translated into global programs. So I told you about the economic issues. Because once again the welfare of the community, the welfare of all people will follow the mainstreaming of middle path approaches. And thirdly, of course there must be justice," said Retno Marsudi.

Minister Retno Marsudi further stated to fight for peace by the middle path is not easy. High commitment and determination is needed. She said the middle way concept approach should not stop just an idea. But it needs to be implemented in the people's lives. Retno continued, it was mandatory to involve the role of grassroots especially in family institutions and women. According to her, the forum is very good, opening all figures - not only religious leaders but also activists - to talk about the problem of the middle way or the language of Islam unity. (VOI/Rezha/AHM)

The Central Bureau of Statistics Agency -BPS noted that the value of Indonesia's imports in July 2018 reached 18.27 billion US dollars, up 62.17 percent, from month to month, compared to June. Similarly when compared to July 2017, from year after year, imports increased by 31.56 percent. Head of the agency, Suhariyanto, in a press statement in Jakarta on Wednesday (15/8) said that Indonesia's imports were dominated by auxiliary raw materials and capital goods. In the period of July 2018, the highest import contribution was contributed by the consumption sector of 1.72 billion US dollars, up 70.50 percent.

"The contribution from our consumption imports was only 9.41 percent. While the auxiliary raw material was 74.8 percent and capital goods 15 percent. So our import structure is still dominated by auxiliary raw materials and capital goods. What moves there, we see for consumption first. Our import value is 1.72 billion US dollars, if we compare the month to month it is up 70.05 percent. Some commodities that experienced a large increase were rice," said Suharyanto.

Suhariyanto further explained that imports of capital goods rose substantially in July compared to June, including gas engines, portable receivers and several types of heavy vehicles, such as trucks and excavators. While some imports of raw materials rose high, namely cotton, soybean foods, and some chemicals. Imports in July 2018, which has increased to 62.17 percent or US $ 18.27 billion, is the highest increase since the 2013 import record. These conditions have caused Indonesia's trade balance to be deficit. (VOI/Rezha/AHM)

On Wednesday, August 15^th 2018, the Central Statistics Agency -BPS released Indonesian export in July 2018 was worth $16.24 billion dollars. The amount increased 25.19 % month to month (mtm) compared to June 2018. Meanwhile in year to year (yoy), Indonesian export increased 19.33 %. Head of the agency, Suhariyanto said that the export value still remains due to seasonal factors after Idul Fitri Festivity and the large number of holidays in June which limited exports during the period. In addition, the export increase in July was caused by non-oil and gas exports which increased by 31.18 %. On the contrary, oil and gas exports experienced a decline of 15.16 compared to the previous period.

“Remember that last June was Idul Fitri holiday. There were many holidays and that was why, the increase was so significant for 25.19 %. Because non-oil and gas export increase was 31.18 %. On the contrary, oil and gas decreased by 15.06 %. If we traced it more detail, the decrease of the oil and gas export was due to oil value decrease of 15.25 %. The crude oil value also decreased by 31.08 %, so did the gas,” said Suharyanto.

Furthermore, Suhariyanto explained that non-oil and gas commodities increase was in vegetable fats and oils reaching 17.91 %, mineral fuels 11.90 %, machinery or electrical equipment 37.23 %, and rubber 51.47 %. If it was accumulated, Indonesian export value in January-July 2018 increased by $104.24 billion dollars from the same period last year, which reached $93.61 billion dollars or increased by 11.35 %. The Central Statistics Agency-BPS recorded that import value accumulation from January-July 2018 reached $107.32 million dollars or increased by 24.48 % compared to the same period last year. (VOI/Rezha/AHM)

In April 2019, Indonesia will hold a democratic party through simultaneous legislative and presidential elections. Various preparations have been made, including for Indonesian people who will cast their vote abroad. Indonesian Ambassador to New Zealand, Tantowi Yahya to the Voice of Indonesia, Thursday (8/16) explained, through the coordination of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the General Election Commission, an overseas election committee was formed. He hoped that Indonesian citizens in New Zealand, Samoa and the Kingdom of Tonga can participate in the elections.

"Our target is at least 80 percent of Indonesian citizens in New Zealand. That's the target. But we hope we can achieve more than that. Our optimism is based on the good relationship between the Indonesian Embassy and Indonesian citizens in New Zealand. We benefit from technological advances. Nowadays, in social media era, platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram and others make it easy for us to disseminate information," said Tantowi Yahya.

Ambassador Tantowi Yahya further explained that around 7,000 Indonesians reside in New Zealand. The list of temporary voter candidates is 5,000 Indonesian citizens. Currently, Tantowi Yahya said he is pursuing that all Indonesian citizens can be registered, namely by visiting Indonesian citizens and through social media. He hopes that at least 80 percents of Indonesian citizens will exercise their voting rights. (VOI/Sekar/AHM)