VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Preservation of endangered Sumatran rhino species will be one of topic of discussions in a bilateral meeting between Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and her Malaysian counterpart Saifuddin Abdullah in Indonesia, Monday, July 23. Southeast Asia's Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Denny Abdi, said on Wednesday (18/7) that the two countries have been trying to find ways to increase the Sumatran rhino population.

"We are currently working with Malaysia in the conservation of the Sumatran rhinos. The rhino is one of the rare species in the world. They have 2 species while Indonesia still has some, although the trend is also declining. Our experts are trying to find ways how to keep these rhinos exist. If it works, it's a worldly achievement to defend endangered species, Denny Abdi said.

Denny Abdi added that Malaysia will also bring in some conservation experts from Germany and the United States to assist Sumatran rhino conservation cooperation with Indonesia. The experts are brought in specifically to discuss, conduct research, and find ways to increase the Sumatran rhino population. The conservation of the Sumatran rhinos will be concentrated in two places, namely in Sabah, Malaysia and in Way Kambas, Lampung, Indonesia. According to the latest data from the International dor Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species, the Dicerorhinus Sumatrensis or Sumateran Rhinos, spread in Indonesia and Malaysia has a population of not more than 100 species.  (VOI/Rezha/Trans Ndy/AHM)

Indonesia welcomes the interest of Brunei Darussalam businessmen to invest in the tourism sector. The Indonesian Government through the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce (KADIN) have prepared Special Economic Zone in Tanjung Lesung, Banten as a destination offered to investors from Brunei Darussalam. Tanjung Lesung Special Economic Zone is part of Ten New Bali initiated by President Joko Widodo. Director of Southeast Asia Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia Denny Abdi in his press conference in Jakarta, on Wednesday, July 18, 2018 said Brunei Darussalam delegation who will attend the Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) meeting on Friday, July 20, 2018 in Jakarta seek the opportunity to review directly how the conditions of Tanjung Lesung Special Economic Zone.

"Yesterday we discussed with Chamber of Commerce. They said one of the visible views is the possibility of Tanjung Lesung in Banten, now we are building the infrastructure. If Brunei is interested then we will offer to visit the location. In terms of tourism, we will see the possibility, may be the destination, hotels and other supports. But the most important thing is Indonesia has focused on, Denny Abdi said.

In addition to discussing about investment in the tourism sector, Denny Abdi said that during the Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBD), Indonesia and Brunei is to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between one of Indonesia's private airlines and one of Brunei's private airlines for charter flight cooperation. The flight will connect Bandar Seri Begawan Airport with the airport in one of the cities in Kalimantan. In addition, at a meeting that will be attended by Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Brunei Darussalam Erywan Yusof will also explore Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) for halal products from Indonesia. (VOI/Rezha/NDY/AHM)

The Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi will receive a working visit of Brunei Darussalam Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Erywan Yusof in Jakarta on Friday, July 20, 2018. The two ministers will meet in the Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) corridor to discuss various issues, covering economies that include trade and investment. In addition, the two foreign ministers will also discuss the issue on Indonesian migrant workers.

The bilateral meeting is a follow up of the meeting between President Indonesia Joko Widodo and Sultan Brunei Darussalam Hassanal Bolkiah in May 2018. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also considered that the meeting of the two ministers will be an important opportunity for Indonesia to boost the economic strength for both countries. According to Southeast Asia's Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Denny Abdi, this is due to Brunei Darussalam's plan to diversify the economy to get out of dependence from the oil sector.

"So far Brunei has relied on its economic growth from oil reserves, but now they are thinking of diversifying to see other growth sources. In this case Indonesia which has a lot of attractions for investment is considered as one of the destinations for Brunei investors. So we will do this, we will discuss about it. Brunei Foreign Minister will also bring in a number of entrepreneurs. So we will also hold a business meeting between entrepreneurs see the opportunity," Denny Abdi said.

Related to investment, Denny Abdi underlines the interest of Brunei investors to invest in the tourism sector, mainly in the Ten New Bali project. Ten New Bali is the idea of ​​President Joko Widodo to diversify the popular tourism destinations of Indonesia in other areas besides Bali, the Island of the Gods. As for the issue of Indonesian Migrant Workers in Brunei Darussalam, Denny Abdi also underlines the number of Indonesian migrant workers in Brunei which reaches more than 80,000 workers or 20 percent of the total population of Brunei. Most of them are professional workers with special skills. Therefore the issue of migrant workers will be a high concern for both Foreign Ministers. (VOI/Rezha/Ndy TRANS/AHM)

Indonesia`s National Alms Agency (Baznas) has disbursed a total of US$300 thousand to assist Palestinian and Syrian refugees this year, the agency`s chairman, Bambang Sudibyo, said in Jakarta on Wednesday, July 18.

The donated funds were disbursed to the refugees through the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization for Relief and Development (JHCO) and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), he stated.

Each of the non-governmental organizations received $150 thousand ($1=Rp14,414), Sudibyo noted, adding that the JHCO would assist the Palestinian and Syrian refugees being sheltered in Jordan.

Meanwhile, JHCO Secretary General, Ayman R. Al-Mufleh, ensured that Baznas` donations would be distributed to help the refugees in his country by providing them with health and education services and facilities as well as food and clothing.

The health services and facilities for the displaced Palestinians and Syrians include extra number of doctors and paramedics, medical equipment, and medicines.

"The targets are the eight groups of relevant recipients of the zakat (alms). May this initiative cement our relationship with Baznas ," he remarked.

The Jordanian authorities have allowed the Syrian refugees to work in the country so that they can return to their country after they become financially sufficient, he revealed.

Regarding the Palestinian issue, the Indonesian people and government have shown their consistent and never-ending support to the Palestinian people`s struggle for gaining their independence.

The Indonesian Government`s political stance remains unchanged from the era of Soekarno to the present time, when Jakarta supports a two-state solution and emphasizes the significance of impartiality of the international community in dealing with the Palestinian issue. (ANTARA)