VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesia`s cellphone imports have dropped drastically to 11.4 million with total domestic production reaching 60.5 million units for 34 brands in 2017 from 18.5 million units with domestic production at 68 million units. Indonesian Minister of Industry, Airlangga Hartarto recently said in Jakarta that cellphone imports were down to 11.4 million units with domestic cellphone production reaching 60.5 million for 34 brands including 11 local brands in 2017. The local brands include SPC, Evercoss, Elevate, Advan, Luna, Andromax, Polytron, Mito, Aldo, Axioo and Zyrex.

The minister said that national products have already had strong branding for medium and low class level market. He said, the increasing competitiveness of national cellphones will strengthenthen positive image and popularity of the products, he said. Domestic cellphone industry has recorded a fast growth in the past five years due among others to government efforts in spurring the development of the telecommunication and informatics sector. The ministry noted that the increasing cellphone production in Indonesia follows among other things conducive improving business climate, downstream industrial development and optimization of local components to increase added value. Ant/19.02.2018 Rezha

Former Chairman of PP Muhammadiyah, Buya Syafii Ma'arif, firmly stated that no religion whatsoever justifies violence or arbitrariness against the followers of other religions. Syafi'i Ma'arif said the violence and intolerant attitude that occurred lately is the result of wrong interpretation of religious teachings by the adherents.

“Many cases of violence against religious followers is more due to ignorance of the perpetrators. Including terrorism on behalf of or bringing religious postulates,” Prof. Dr. H Syafi'i Ma'arif said when receiving the Yogyakarta Community Movement Against Intolerance (Gemayomi) at the Suara Muhammadiyah Building Yogyakarta, Saturday (17/2/2018) afternoon.

Buya Shafi Ma'arif stated Islam is a religion that always puts forward the peace for all the universe or rahmatan lil alamin. A member of the House of Representatives Maria Yohana Esti Wijayati who is also an elder member of Gemayomi said, Gemayomi appreciates the dedication of Shafi'i Ma'arif who always spreads pluralism or diversity and embraces all parties. (KBRN/18.2'18Sg/Alika/ART)

The economy of a country must have supports to enable it to have a stable economy. Not only stable, the economy can increase and make the people prosperous. Program Manager of Indonesia Business Coalition for Women Empowerment (IBCWE) Maya Juwita, to RRI in a dialogue, Sunday (18/2/2018) said that it was in line with the Indonesia Business Coalition for Women Empowerment (IBCWE), which aims to change the public's view of the lack of gender equality in the community, especially in the world of work as if it belongs only to men. Maya Juwita added there are studies in several countries which stated the presence of women in a company can improve the company's economy and the country as well. She remarked that gender equality not only benefits certain companies, but also the state economy. In some countries it has been proven that their economy is progressing due to participation of female working in companies. (KBRN/Alika/ART)

Secretary General of the Executive Board of the Indonesian Pencak Silat Association(PB IPSI), Erizal Chaniago, on Sunday, told that he is optimistic Indonesia is able to reach two gold medal targets from Pencak Silat sport at the upcoming 2018 Asian Games. According to him until now all Pencak Silat athletes have continuously made preparation ahead of the Asian Games, both inside and outside the country. One of them is by winning 10 gold medals at the Test Event 2018 championship sometimes ago.Although the government is targeting Pencak Silat to win two gold medals, Erizal Chaniago said they are determined to win as many medals as possible from Pencak Silat, including the overall champion.

“The minimum target is 2 gold medals. We welcome it. Hopefully with the hard work of trainers and athletes and all the prayers of the Indonesian people, the target can be achieved. Of course there are special targets of the Executive Board of the Indonesian Pencak Silat Association. We are assigned by the General Chairman Prabowo Subianto to win as many medals as possible, winning the overall champion of Pencak Silat,” Erizal Chaniago, told RRI World Service Voice of Indonesiain an interview on Sunday.

Indonesia has just become the overall champion in a Test Event ahead of the 2018Asian Games. Pencak Silat became the top contributor with 10 gold medals. According Erizal Chaniago, this result has not become a measure of Indonesian success at the upcoming Asian Games. According to him, preparation and improvement steps are continuously taken so that the target of the overall champion in Pencak Silat can be achieved.

In addition to targeting the overall Champion at the upcoming Asian Games 2018, the Indonesian Pencak SilatAssociation(PB IPSI)will make the Asian sports competition as a place of sports and cultural diplomacy of Indonesia. According to him, Pencak Silat is currently the only sport exporting coach to overseas. This is done to spread the culture of Indonesia through Pencak Silat to the world. (VOI/Andy/Alika/ART)