VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Indonesian and Australian governments are finalizing negotiations on crude palm oil trade, Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita said in Jakarta on Monday ( April 9 )

"We are currently carrying out the process with Australia and we agreed that we will come out with the final agreement this August," said the Minister after a meeting with Vice President Jusuf Kalla at the Vice President`s Office on Monday.

The Minister of Trade also continued to communicate intensively with the Australian parliament regarding the drafting of policies on the use of oil palm and its derivative products in Australia.

"There are still some things that are in the negotiations, and along with member of the Australian parliament Steven Ciobo, we have agreed that the next round of negotiation processes between the set teams will take place soon. They will leave out some items and later, the two ministers will take the final steps," he explained.

In addition to Australia, the EU and the United States are also reviewing the use of palm oil and its derivative products in their countries. They argued that palm oil products are not friendly to environmental sustainability, as it was also considered as the largest contributor to illegal logging.

However, the Minister of Trade saw the motive of industrial competition behind the ban on the use of crude palm oil in the European Union, the United States and Australia. Therefore, the Government of Indonesia will seek to stop importing commodities from the areas, should the parliaments of these countries insist on halting the entry of crude palm oil from Indonesia.

"If they take such step (to ban the CPO), I would also let Norway know that we will also ban their fish (to come into Indonesia). Also with the purchase of aircraft, including Airbus and Boeing. If this (ban) continues to grow, then it is not impossible that we will halt it too," he affirmed.

He further said that Indonesia has a high bargaining position with European countries in terms of CPO, as in some European courts, Indonesia crude palm oil is entitled to circulate in the country.

"On the one hand we (Indonesia) have won in some cases, but they still insisted until 2021 bio-diesel was removed from there, from Europe," he stressed. (antara)

Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita affirmed here on Monday that Indonesia will stop importing commodities from European nations if the parliaments of these countries insist on halting Indonesia`s crude palm oil (CPO) exports.

"If they ban CPO, I will also tell Norway to not export their fish to Indonesia as well as the purchase of aircraft, such as Airbus and Boeing," he noted after meeting Vice President Jusuf Kalla at the Vice President`s Office on Monday.

Lukita further pointed out that Indonesia was in a high bargaining position with European countries with regard to CPO, since in some European courts, Indonesian CPO was reserved for sale in the country. European countries and the United States have banned the use of palm oil by abolishing the draft of the renewable energy legislation.

Some 46 percent of the total imports of palm oil are used by the European Union for producing bio-diesel. However, concerns have been raised over the dire impacts on the environment, including causing deforestation in Asian and Latin American countries. (antara)

Indonesian Air Force Chief of Staff, Air Marshall Yuyu Sutisna at the commemoration of the 72^nd anniversary of the Indonesian Air Force at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base in Jakarta on Monday (09/04) stated that the Indonesian Air force continuously observe international development with its complex challenges. Therefore Yuyu Sutisna said fulfillment of modern  main weaponry system is a must.

“The Indonesian Air Force is at the last 2 years of the third strategic plan  (2015-2019) and the Minimum Essential Force policy of the 2^nd phase of strategic plan. The Indonesian Air Force keeps trying to complete the procurement of Air Force main weaponry system such as jet fighters replacing F5 jet figthers, multipurpose amphibious aircrafts, carrier aircraft , carrier helicopters, drones, air strike  radars, air strike resistance as well as facilities and other infrastructures,” Yuyu Sutisna said.

Indonesian Air Force Chief of Staff, Air Marshall Yuyu Sutisna explained in the 4^th strategic plan, the Indonesian Air Force keeps building air power by replacing Hawk jet fighters 100/200 with  Tankers and Awacs aircrafts, radar procurement and building Network Centric Warfare. Yuyu further said the 4^th strategic plan will make the position of the Air Force to be more professional military with equipment and up-to-date main weaponry system which can be deployed everywhere and anytime. (VOI/Ahmad Faisal/AHM)

In anticipating many challenges of strategic environmental dynamism, the Indonesian Air Force must have willingness and commitment to create optimal result. However, it must be realized that  maintaining the  condition of main weaponry system of the Air Force is not easy, because it relates to the readiness of all components of the Air force both personnel, main weaponry system, air force base, facilities and other infrastructures.

“Building the qualified air force can not be at the short time or until the enemy comes to attack or explore the potential in Indonesia. It needs a strategic concept with elements related with the purposes, interest, target, policy and commitment as well as realistic and sustainable programs. Indonesian Air Force Chief of Staff,” Air Marshall Yuyu Sutisna said at the commemoration of 72^nd anniversary of the Indonesian Air Force, at the Air force Base in Halim Perdanakusuma Jakarta on Monday ( 09/04).

Furthermore Air Marshall Yuyu Sutisna also said building ideal power in supporting duty is a must. He explained development of Minimum Essential Force is the appropriate answer and must be carried out. (VOI/Ahmad Faisal/NITA)