VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesia always gives political support to Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh territory, which is disputed with Armenia, the Chairman of the Azerbaijan Press Council, Aflatun Amasov, said in Baku on Monday.

Indonesia always supported Azerbaijan on the issue in international forums such as the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), said Amasov.

"We are very grateful to the government of Indonesia, which always supports Azerbaijan on Nagorno-Karabakh. We do not ask for military or economic support from Indonesia because our economy and weapons are enough," he said.

Azerbaijan, the second largest oil exporter, after Saudi Arabia, to Indonesia, considered the world's largest archipelagic country a friend and always backed Indonesia in various international forums, he said.

The closeness could be seen even in how the Indonesian Ambassador, Husnan Bey Fananie, was very understanding about Azerbaijan, especially on the Nagorno-Karabakh issue, said Amasov.

The bilateral relationship was expected to strengthen in various fields, including economy, politics and culture, Amasobe said when receiving several Indonesian journalists who were attending the 100th anniversary of Azerbaijan.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Association of Journalists of OIC member-states, Fazil Abbas, also received an Indonesian journalist who proposed a joint photo exhibition by the media in Azerbaijan and Indonesia to introduce the two countries to their respective people. (ANTARA)

Director General of Buddhist Community Guidance, Ministry of Religion, Caliadi said the theme of Vesak 2018 celebration is Talking, Taking Action, and Thinking to strengthen the unitary of the nation. To RRI World Service-Voice of Indonesia, on Monday (28/5) Caliadi explained that a series of Vesak celebration has begun since May 6 with works of devotion at Hero’s cemetery throughout Indonesia, blood donors, and free medication at Borobudur temple Magelang. The peak of Vesak celebration will be conducted at Borobudur temple on the eve of May 29. It is expected tens of thousands of people attend the event, including 360 young people from ASEAN countries.

“Because it is part of Indonesia as a great nation. Indonesia which consists of various tribes, races and religions, wants to see how the concept of harmony is established in Indonesia. It wants to be known by ASEAN young people, Around 360 youths will also participate in the procession from Mendut temple to Borobudur Temple,” said Caliadi.

Furthermore, Caliadi explained that this year’s Vesak celebration is very special because in the same month, Muslims are fasting and Buddhists celebrate Vesak. He hoped this momentum becomes a blessing to establish people’s life in the framework of the Unitary State of Republic of Indonesia. He left a message to Buddhists in the world to run life by universally spreading love. (VOI/SEKAR/TRANS-YATI/AHM)

The organizing committee of the upcoming 18th Asian Games (INASGOC) has claimed that the opening ceremony stage of the upcoming 18th Asian Games will be the largest and heaviest compared to other Olympic or Asian Games.

"The opening (ceremony) stage of the 2018 Asian Games will be the biggest one in the world even compared to any Olympics, including the height, size and weight of its construction," Wishnutama, Creative Director of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Asian Games, said here on Sunday.

The 18th Asian Games will be held from Aug 18 to Sept 2, 2018, in Jakarta and the South Sumatra provincial capital city of Palembang. The performers of the opening ceremony of the Asian Games still undergoing training in Jakarta and a number of regions in Indonesia, he said.

"We involve nearly 10 thousand dancers so we should spread the locations of their practice sites before holding a joint exercise at the opening ceremony location," he disclosed.

INASGOC involves dance directors Denny Malik and Eko Supriyanto in the opening and closing ceremonies of the Asian Games, besides the music director Addie MS and Ronald Yunardi and fashion stylist Dynand Fariz and Rinaldi Yunardi, he explained. Denny said he has trained around 250 dancers from 18 senior high schools in Jakarta, adding that they would showcase Indonesian cultural dances packed with the modern elements. In addition, Eko Supriyanto has also trained about 2,000 dancers across Indonesia including the professional, students and art students.

In the meantime, INASGOC also involves 5,500 performers and 141 musicians in the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2018 Asian Games. The number of workers involved in the performance reached 4,241 local workers and 233 foreign workers. The Asian Games 2018, to be participated by 45 countries, will feature 462 events of 40 sports, of which 32 are Olympic sports and eight are non-Olympic sports. ( antara ) 

Indonesia is set to welcome Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was scheduled to pay a state visit to the Southeast Asian country on May 29-31. Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) was expected to welcome PM Modi at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Sunday.

PM Modi`s visit will be his first visit to Indonesia as a return visit to President Jokowi`s. The president had paid state visits to India on December 2016 and during the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit in January 2018.

Jokowi and Modi were expected to discuss bilateral, regional and global issues during the meeting at the palace. Both leaders will also discuss bilateral issues in various fields of cooperation such as politic, defense and security, maritime affairs, economy, people to people contact and culture.

Some Memoranda of Understanding of cooperation are expected to be signed during PM Modi`s visit to Indonesia. PM Modi`s visit also aims to welcome the 70th anniversary of Indonesia-India diplomatic relations to be commemorated next year.

During Modi`s visit to Indonesia, there will be an Indonesia-India CEO Forum to be participated by CEOs from both countries which will discuss some recommendations to President Widodo and PM Modi.