VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesian National flag carrier Garuda Indonesia announced Sunday it will open a direct flight from Makassar, South Sulawesi, to Palembang, South Sumatra, starting January 17. The airline's marketing and information technology director, Nina Sulistyowati, said in a recent press release the move was part of Garuda Indonesia's strategic plan to expand its market and develop the domestic network, especially since Makassar and Palembang serve as key economic hubs. Nina hoped the service will also boost tourism in Indonesia, which is part of commitment to continue to support the government's program of attracting 20 million tourists in 2019. The flight will be available four times a week every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday using the Bombardier CRJ 1000 aircraft, which can accommodate 96 passengers. The flight from Makassar to Palembang is scheduled to depart at 5:55 p.m. and arrive at 7:35 p.m., while the flight from Palembang to Makassar will depart at 8:15 p.m. and arrive at 11:55 p.m// Voi.JP

Golkar Party Faction officially announced the new Chairman of Legal Commission of the House of Representatives (DPR) Bambang Soesatyo, replacing Setya Novanto. The announcement was delivered in the Golkar Faction meeting room, Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, on Monday (15/1). It was delivered directly by the Chairman of Golkar Party, Airlangga Hartarto. He said, after the discussions and mechanisms in the Golkar Party and also the consideration of Golkar figures, then Bambang Soesatyo is elected as the chairman. Earlier, Deputy Secretary General of Golkar Party, Muhammad Sarmuji, said that Bambang was elected among six politicians because he is senior and experienced. Golkar Party Central Executive Board also sent Bambang Soesatyos name to the Golkar Board of Trustees for consideration. On Sunday (14/1) Golkar Board of Trustees held a meeting related to it, and the Golkar Chairman of the Board of Trustees Aburizal Bakrie said the appointment was approved for Bambang Soesatyo as the chairman of House of Representatives to replace Setya Novanto///Tempo

The Indonesian government takes over the flight information region -FIR in Natuna and Batam. During 69 years, the air space service has been controlled by Singapore. The Flight Information Region enjoyed by Singapore is a legacy of the United Kingdom since the 2nd World War that colonized Singapore. Aviation observer Dudi Sudibyo to Radio Republik Indonesia in Jakarta, Sunday (14/1) said, currently Indonesia has been able to operate the flight information region, because the country has sophisticated equipments and qualified human resources.

"Singapore was a British colony, which actually granted by the UN authority. Once it was finished, then passed down like inheritance. Now the situation changed because it is connected to the sovereignty of other countries. We have our own interest in Natuna including for the operation of our military aircraft.

Previously, the TNI Commander, Marshal TNI Hadi Tjahjanto, asserted, the airspace services issue becomes a serious concern. Until nowdays, the Indonesian Ministry of Defense and the TNI tried to take over the Flight Information Region from Singapore. Because it is considered as an aviation safety and the state sovereignty// Sugandi/trs.Rezha