VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Three Ambassadors from United States Coalition states, US Ambassador to Indonesia, Joseph Donovan, British Ambassador to Indonesia, Moazzam Malik and French Ambassador to Indonesia, Jean-Charles Berthonnet in particular held a meeting with Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi in Jakarta on Thursday (April 19^th). In the meeting, she reiterated the position of Indonesia related to the chaotic use of chemical weapons in Syria. In addition, she also said to them that Indonesia asks all parties to exercise restraint so that the situation in Syria is not getting worse. This was affirmed by Indonesian Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Arrmanatha Nasir in a press conference in Jakarta on Friday (April 20).

“In essence yesterday, there were three ambassadors from the United States, Britain and France, who met the Foreign Minister. At the meeting, basically they disclosed their position. The Minister of Foreign Affairs reiterated the position of Indonesia. First, we are certainly concerned about the developments that exist in Syria. The second, the Minister of Foreign Affairs reiterated that we are strongly condemning the use of chemical weapons by anyone. The third one also says that we ask for all parties to exercise restraint and to pay attention to the humanitarian aspect, especially for women and children to be a priority,” Armanatha said.

Arrmanatha Nasir added that in a meeting with the three ambassadors of the US coalition countries, Minister Retno Marsudi also again conveyed a message to all parties to respect the value and international law, in particular the United Nations charter on international peace and security. In relation to the thousands of Indonesian citizens who are still in Syria, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs keeps monitoring how the current condition is in the region. In addition, Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also prepared a contingency plan if the situation is worsening. (VOI/Rezha/RHM)

Indonesian President Joko Widodo is optimistic that Indonesian automotive exports can increase. The optimism came after President Joko Widodo witnessed the rapid development of Indonesia's automotive industry followed by increasing exports to neighboring countries. After opening the Indonesia International Motor Show at the Jakarta International Expo (JIEXPO), Kemayoran in North Jakarta on Thursday (March 20^th), President Joko Widodo said that the Indonesian automotive industry has a great opportunity to expand its market if the price offered is competitive. 

“First, we see the automotive industry in our country is growing very rapidly. First, I am glad that our exports increase, especially to our neighboring countries. But we see later if the price is competitive, I think the export of our automotive industry will be able to get out of ASEAN. And secondly, exports for the knot-down components also increased very sharply, increasing 13 times. It will also open up a lot of employment,” President Joko Widodo says.

On the same occasion, President Joko Widodo also said that the Industrial Revolution 4.0 will grow the automotive industry in Indonesia. He predicts that the transition of technology from the previous industry era to industry 4.0 will open up new opportunities such as the incredible online taxi service both motorcycle and car. However, automotive industry is required to understand, prepare, and follow the existing changes. One of them is to prepare for different types of work; one of which is a periodic maintenance service for vehicles that are used for the purpose of online taxi service. Such periodic maintenance services will be needed because they must serve their customers 24 hours per day. (VOI/Rezha/RHM)

House of Representative -DPR will hold “Criticism Competition 2018“ in celebrating the anniversary of the House on 29th of August 2018 . The House asks all parties to support the agenda so that the House can understand what must be improved. The House lets the people criticize the House strictly. This was stated by Speaker of the House, Bambang Soesatyo at Political Dialogue at the House’s Media Center in Jakarta on Thursday (April 19^th).

 “For the House of Representative, criticism is like a fertilizer. I want the House to be able to grow big. This is the spirit of ours to make critic competition. Because without criticism, the House does not know what to improve. However, the criticism must be constructive,” Bambang Soesatyo said.

Speaker Bambang Soesatyo said that the present House is not the same as the previous one.  Now, the House is open for all people to come closer and open for all kinds of information.  Even, he affirmed that the House will launch an application ‘DPR Now’ on which all activities of the House can be monitored through smartphones. Criticism Competition 2018 can be followed by all Indonesian citizens with category of 500-word essay writing and meme category like picture or caricature  as well as 2-minute video. (VOI/AF/RHM)

Related to the air strikes in Damascus, Syria on Saturday (April 14), three ambassadors of the United States (US) coalition who were involved in the attack in Syria met Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi at Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jakarta on Thursday (April 19^th). The three ambassadors are US Ambassador to Indonesia, Joseph Donovan, British Ambassador to Indonesia, Moazzam Malik, and French Ambassador to Indonesia, Jean-Charles Berthonnet. After meeting Minister Retno Marsudi, British Ambassador Moazzam Malik said that one of the aims of the meeting was to explain the legal basis of the attacks targeted to the Syrian government facilities under the regime of Bashar al-Assad. He also said the meeting was held with the initiative of the ambassador of the US coalition country, not at the request or invitation from Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"So, I was in touch with Ibu Retno by the end of last week and asked for a meeting for the three of us to come and explain what have occurred. And we offer to share our evidence. We offer to share our legal opinion on the legality of this strike and indeed to offer full cooperation to the Indonesian authority so they are fully aware of what happen in Douma and also what happened previously in Syria and indeed actually sees the need of this convention in the future,” Ambassador Moazzam Malik said.

In addition, Ambassador Moazzam Malik also mentioned that the target of attacks was aimed at preventing the use of chemical weapons in the future. He views that the US coalition states do not intend to change the government or change the direction of the Syrian conflict. Because the only solution of this conflict is an inclusive political process involving all parties. In connection with the legal basis, the British government has explained through www.gov.uk. It has taken refuge in the legal grounds that the attack on Syria was undertaken to overcome the misery of humanity suffered by Syrian people by reducing the Syrian government's chemical weapons capabilities previously suspected to be used for conducting an attack in Douma, Syria. (VOI/Rezha/RHM)