VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Indonesian government has called on all G20 member countries to become global models and problem solvers amidst the many uncertainties in the world, the foreign ministry said in a press statement here on Tuesday.

"Since 2008, the world community has been looking at the G20 as a reference in facing global challenges. Therefore, the G20 should lead by being a role model, and always try to be a solution to global problems," Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno L.P. Marsudi said.

The statement was presented by Minister Marsudi at the G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting in Palacio San Martin, Buenos Aires, Argentina on Monday (May 21).

At the first session of the G20 Foreign Ministers meeting entitled Multilateralism and Global Governance, Marsudi asserted the importance of G20 in creating a balance between the interests of developed countries and developing countries.

Related to that, she emphasized the need for G20 to increase its efforts in completing the discussion on various global strategic issues, such as reforming the international financial system as well as strengthening open, fair and transparent multilateral trading system.

In addition, the Foreign Minister also discussed the importance of multilateralism. Furthermore, Minister Marsudi stressed the importance of improving governance quality in the G20.

The minister also requested the G20 member countries to be consistent with the implementation of their commitments and resolutions.

"It is time for the member countries to create a more concise, substantive, accountable and transparent G20 governance system," Marsudi said.

On the sidelines of the second G20 meeting, Minister Marsudi held a bilateral meeting with Australian Foreign Minister, Julie Bishop; Japanese Foreign Minister, Taro Kono; Saudi Foreign Minister Adel bin Ahmed Al Jubeir; and British Foreign Minister Boris Johnson.

Kertajati Airport in Majalengka, West Java Province, will officially operate on May 24, beginning with the inaugural landings of two planes from Jakarta and Bandung (West Java).

"There will be a historical landing flown by Garuda Indonesia," Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi stated in Jakarta on Tuesday ( 22 May )

Budi added that on May 24, 2018 Kertajati Airport can be already functioned, and technically the airport is ready to operate even before that date.

"Today is also ready. But internationally it will be allowed for flights on May 24," he said.

On the same occasion, the Director of Operations of Indonesian Air Navigation Service Provider (AirNav Indonesia), Wisnu Darjono, confirmed that Kertajati Airport is ready to be operated on May 24, 2018 at 00.00. On the official operational day there will be two flights back and forth between Bandung and Kertajati. Garuda Indonesia and Batik Air will be the airlines which will be landing at the airport.

"From May 24, the airport will be open for operation. We have published internationally that on May 24 at 00:00 the airport is operational," he said.

Kertajati Airport will be the transit embarkation of Hajj as the runway has not been able to accommodate wide-bodied aircrafts. Currently, the runway has 2,500 meters long so it cannot be accommodated wide-bodied aircrafts such as Boeing 777 which is commonly used for hajj flight. ( antara )

Indonesia called on G20 member states to strengthen cooperation in countering terrorism during the G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Sunday. The message was conveyed by Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi during a working dinner of the G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting in Buenos Aires on Sunday, a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on Monday.

"G20 must demonstrate leadership and contribute concretely to fighting terrorism to maintain global security and peace," Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi noted.

Marsudi conveyed to the G20 foreign ministers that terrorism posed a real threat. The minister then spoke of a series of multiple bomb attacks that occurred in Indonesia`s second-largest city last week. The Indonesian authority and police had worked quickly to identify and arrest the alleged terrorists of the network.

"Indonesian people are not afraid. We all must not fear terrorism and should not give room for terrorism," Marsudi emphasized.

Moreover, Marsudi praised solidarity among G20 member states following the terrorist attacks in Indonesia. Marsudi proposed measures to counter the issue of terrorism as an integral part during the discussion in the G20 meeting. On the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting, Marsudi held a bilateral discussion with her Dutch counterpart, Stef Blok. During the bilateral meeting, Indonesia and the Netherlands agreed to strengthen cooperation in the fields of education and countering terrorism.

"Finance Minister Blok commends the efforts of the Indonesian police in addressing the recent terrorist attacks in Indonesia," Marsudi stated in her Twitter account.

Minister Marsudi also met Deputy Secretary of the United States John J. Sullivan on the sidelines of the G-20. Sullivan conveyed that the United States lauded Indonesia`s leadership to host the Trilateral Ulema Meeting in Bogor aimed at contributing to the peace process in Afghanistan. Deputy Secretary Sullivan also highlighted the US` commitment on implementing the strategic partnership between the United States and Indonesia.

Meanwhile, Marsudi conveyed to the US representative about Indonesia`s concern on Prime Minister Netanyahu`s statement concerning the status of Jerusalem that threatens the peace process and peace itself.

"Indonesia has reiterated its strong support to Palestine," Marsudi said.

The G-20 Foreign Ministers meeting was attended by foreign ministers of G-20 member states and invited guests. During Sunday`s session, foreign ministers discussed the general global outlook, while Monday`s agenda will focus on multilateralism and global governance as a response to new cross-border challenges, ranging from cybersecurity to the use of information and communication technologies to the changing paradigms in trade and migration. ( antara ) 

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) inaugurated the Minangkabau International Airport train called Minangkabau Express at the airport station in Padang, West Sumatra, on Monday.

"Means of mass transportation, such as the airport train, will continue to be increased to overcome traffic congestion in urban areas," the president remarked.

The Minangkabau Express is the third in Indonesia after the Kualanamu airport train in North Sumatra and Soekarno-Hatta airport train in Jakarta. In addition, the Solo airport train in Central Java and the Light Rail Transit to support the Asian Games in Palembang, South Sumatra, are being built.

"The airport train, MRT, LRT, and busway are among the examples of mass transportation that will continue to be developed," Jokowi emphasized.

The mode of transportation can became one of the alternatives for people in the capital of West Sumatra Province, Padang, to reach the airport in a relatively short period of time. The Minangkabau Express train serves passengers en route the Simpang Haru Station-Minangkabau International Airport, with a travel time of 40 minutes. On the way, the train stops at Tabing Station and Duku Station. The train of four carriages, with a total capacity of 393 passengers, serves 10 trips daily. ( antara )