VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Head of Research Center for Indonesian Policy Studies, Hizkia Respatiadi, conveyed the importance of international cooperation to realize the cheap food price. Hizkia Respatiadi in the Asia Liberty Forum 2018 in Central Jakarta, Saturday (10/2) said that it will start with cooperation among neighboring countries, for example Indonesia with other ASEAN member countries.

“We reminded how important international cooperation with friendly countriesis, for example between Indonesia and other ASEAN member countries. We see that international cooperation opens opportunities to realize cheaper food prices. Our neighbors, Thailand and Vietnam, they are the world's major rice producers which even become the benchmark of the world. Through the mechanism of the ASEAN economic community we can get higher quality of rice at cheaper price, than we impose to self-sufficiency from our own rice production,” Hizkia Respatiadi said.

Hizkia Respatiadi added that the Asia Liberty Forum is a forum for discussions and sharing various information and experiences, as well as means for networking, and for learning institutions in various countries in Asia// (VOI/Egy/Trs.Alika/Nt)

Indonesia has an important role as a mediator in the South Korea - North Korea peace process. This was conveyed by South Korean Ambassador to Indonesia Kim Chang-beom on the sidelines of watching together the opening of the Winter Olympics 2018 at the South Korean Embassy in Jakarta on Friday (9/2). Kim Chang-beom stated that the Winter Olympics 2018 which was held in Pyeongcheang, South Korea is expected to be one of the first steps in the realization of the peace process between South Korea and North Korea which are often politically disputed. It is expected after the 2018 Winter Olympics the interaction between the two countries will improve and run well.

“Indonesia has played its role as a mediator for peace and security in the Korean Peninsula. It is now a starting point for creating dialogue and cooperation, to bring peace and security for the future. I hope Indonesia will give peace message to the whole world and also support and help us to immediately hold dialogue, to solve problems in the Korean Peninsula,”Kim Chang-beom said.

Ambassador Kim Chang-beom hopes Indonesia will continue to assist the two countries in the reconciliation process, especially after the Winter Olympics 2018 ends. The opening of the Winter Olympics at Pyeongchang Olympic Stadium, Pyongcheang on Friday night local time, took place lively, especially when South Korean and North Korean athletes paraded together under a unification banner. In addition, South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader, was seen greeting each other and shaking hands in the honorary tribune. It was a historic event for peace and reunification efforts in the Korean Peninsula// (VOI/REZHA/ALIKA/NT)

A total of 91 Athletes from 10 countries attended the opening of Pencak Silat (Martial Arts) championship of 2018 Asian Games trial here on Saturday. 

The 10 countries that joined the trial include Brunei Darussalam, Philippines, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand.

The athletes would join the defile session during the opening of the trial. 

The trial was launched at the venue on Saturday by Edhy Prabowo, the Indonesia Pencak Silat Association (IPSI) chief.

Apart from Prabowo, the opening ceremony was also attended by the deputy of national sports council (KONI), Suwarno; the association`s secretary general, Erizal Chaniago; the secretary general of the Interstate Pencak Silat Association (Persilat), Teddy Suratmadji; as well as the former chief of IPSI, Eddie Nalapraya. 

The athletes, according to the organizer, will participate to 16 matches, including 10 games and 6 exhibitions. 

"The Indonesian athletes will strive for full powers during the first Asian Games trial (of Pencak Silat)," Prabowo, who also served as the national team manager of the 2018 Asian Games, stated.

The venue will be renovated by the Public Works and Public Housings (PUPR) Ministry ahead of the competition, he noted. 

"The ministry will refurbish the audience seats, toilets, as well as the training venues," Prabowo stressed. 

During the trial, Indonesia will send 22 athletes in all categories. 

However, the trial would not provide any assurances that the team will win the upcoming matches in the 2018 Asian Games to be held in August this year.

"We are seeking to collect as many medals as possible in order to be the overall champion during the match," he emphasized.

Indonesia, Prabowo noted that he has targeted to introduce Pencak Silat to more countries worldwide. 

"The traditional martial art now has been practiced in 45 states, but we are seeking to introduce the sport to other 70 countries," he explained. 

Prabowo remarked that Indonesia has planned to propose its traditional martial art to be contested at the Olympics. 

Apart from Pencak Silat, the 2018 Asian Games organizer also hosted trials for other categories, including basketball and Taekwondo this month. 

The 2018 Asian Games will be conducted from Aug 18 to Sep 2, 2018, in Jakarta and Palembang. (antaranews)