VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Speaker of the House of Representatives Bambang Soesatyo has called on the government to watch closely money circulation ahead the simultaneous regional election and the Eid al-Fitr, to anticipate circulation of counterfeit money.

"Because usually counterfeit money circulation will increase ahead the regional election and Eid al-Fitr," Bambang Soesatyo said in a statement in Jakarta on Sunday ( April 22 ). 

Soesatyo made his statement in response to the disclosure of a syndicate that produce and circulate counterfeit money in Rp100,000 notes. The case has been investigated further by the crime investigation unit (Bareskrim) of the Indonesian Police. The House speaker has also called on the Finance Ministry, the Central Bank (BI) and the Counterfeit Money Eradication Coordination Agency (Botasupal) to monitor money circulation. He also called on the public to increase awareness on counterfeit money circulation and only exchange their currencies in banks and authorized money changers.

"The public must be aware of this, to minimize counterfeit money circulation," he said, adding that the police should investigate the case thoroughly and impose appropriate punishment for the perpetrators.

Previously, the police has named AP as a suspect in counterfeit money circulation. He was allegedly funded the production of counterfeit money. Deputy Director of special economic crime Senior Commissioner Daniel Tahi Monang Silitonga said, AP has confessed he committed the crime to pay his debt.

"Daniel said, the police has named three other suspects AK (56), AD (62), and AM (35) who played different roles to design and print the money.

They sold the original Rp100,000 notes for three pieces of counterfeit notes. (antara)

The Indonesian Embassy in Rabat, Morocco held the Indonesia Day themed "Improving Bilateral Relation between RI-Morocco through Culture" at Faculty of Science, Semlilia, Cadi Ayyad University, Marakas, Morocco. The event was enlivened with general discussion, cultural activities, and Indonesian culinary festival. That was conveyed by the Information, Social, and Cultural Affairs of Indonesian Embassy in Rabat, Hanung Nugraha, to Antara News London, Saturday, April 21st. Indonesian Ambassador in Rabat, Syarief Syamsuri, said, the activities of Indonesia Day as an effort to bring Indonesia closer in terms of culture and art, culinary and tradition in general to the people of Morocco. Indonesia and Morocco have officially opened diplomatic relations since 1960 and continue to improve bilateral relations between the two countries, through the arts and culture. (Antara 22.04.2018 Sg edit Nrl/trans by Rezha/edt ART)

As many as 93 forestry and environment experts from various countries will attend the 3rd Asia Pacific Rainforest Summit (APRS) which will be held in Yogyakarta on April 23--23 to discuss progress in the implementation of Paris Agreement.

"Ninety three forestry and environment experts, including 41 from other countries will lead panel discussions and act as panelists. Nearly 950 participants from 39 countries in five continents have registered (with the organizing committee)," Secretary General of the Indonesian Forestry and Environment Ministry Bambang Hendroyono said in a press conference in Jakarta on Friday (April 20).

The APRS III themed Protecting Forest and Community, Supporting Economic Growth is different from the first meeting held in Sydney and the second meeting held in Brunei Darusssalam. The first and second APRS was very much coordinated by partners, while the third APRS is government driven, he said. 

Besides high level meetings attended by ministers and ambassadors, there will be eight sessions of parallel discussions. The parallel discussions will discuss restoration and sustainable management of peat land; financing, investment and trade in forestry sector; mangrove and blue carbon; social forestry policy; ecotourism and biodiversity conservation, production forest; and implementation of peat land restoration.

Director General of River Basin Area and Protected Forest Control I.B. Putera Parthama said the summit is important because it will serve as a forum for Asia and Pacific countries to harmonize cooperation steps and exchange experience in the management of forests. (antara)

Eka Wahyu Kasih, Chairman of the Indonesia Bridge Association (PBGABSI) said that Indonesia came out as the overall champion of the 22nd Asia Pacific Bridge Federation Youth held at Wisma Kinasih, Bogor, West Java, on 13 to 20 April, 2018. The association reported Indonesia won 3 gold, 2 silver and 4 bronze medals defeating China, Chinese Taipeh, Hongkong China, Thailand, Australia and Philippines. Eka Wahyu Kasih in Jakarta, Saturday (21/4) expressed his appreciation for the support of all bridge communities of Indonesia, the media, sponsors, and the struggle of Indonesian bridge athletes, so that Indonesian bridge athlete is able to exceed the set target. According to him, the achievement shows the seriousness of Indonesia in developing Junior bridge athletes. U-26 Junior Team and U -26 Girls Indonesia will take part in the world championships in Wujiang, China, on August 8 to 18, 2018. He hopes, this tour's achievement will boost the spirit of the bridge team Asian Games Indonesia 2018. (release PBGABSi.21 04 2018.nrl/trans AHM)