VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

This handout taken and released on Nov 18, 2024 by the Philippine Department of National Defense shows US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (left) and Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro posing after signing the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, Metro Manila. (Photo: Handout via AFP) - 

VOInews, Manila : The Philippines and the United States signed a military intelligence-sharing deal on Monday (Nov 18), deepening defence ties between the two nations facing common security challenges in the region.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin signed the agreement with his Philippine counterpart, Gilberto Teodoro, at Manila's military headquarters, where they also broke ground for a coordination centre that will facilitate collaboration between their armed forces.

Called the General Security of Military Information Agreement or GSOMIA, the pact allows both countries to share classified military information securely.

"Not only will this allow the Philippines access to higher capabilities and big-ticket items from the United States, it will also open opportunities to pursue similar agreements with like-minded nations," said Philippines' defence ministry spokesperson Arsenio Andolong.

Security engagements between the US and the Philippines have deepened under President Joe Biden and his Philippine counterpart Ferdinand Marcos Jr, with both leaders keen to counter what they see as China's aggressive policies in the South China Sea and near Taiwan.

China's foreign ministry said on Monday any kind of military agreement or security cooperation "must not be directed against or harm the interests of a third party, and they must not undermine regional peace or exacerbate tensions in the region".

"The only correct choice for safeguarding one's own national security and maintaining peace and stability in the region is to adhere to good neighbourly relations and to strategic autonomy," Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said.

The US and the Philippines have a mutual defence treaty dating back to 1951, which could be invoked if either side came under attack, including in the South China Sea.

"I want to start by underscoring our ironclad commitment to the Philippines," Austin said during the groundbreaking ceremony for the coordination centre.

Austin said the coordination centre should enable real-time information sharing between the two defence treaty allies and boost interoperability.

"It will be a place where our forces can work side by side to respond to regional challenges," Austin said.

The Philippines has expressed confidence the alliance will remain strong under incoming US President-elect Donald Trump.

Both the Philippines and the US face increasingly aggressive actions from China in the South China Sea, a conduit for more than US$3 trillion in annual ship-borne commerce, which it claims almost entirely as its own.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague said China's claims had no legal basis, siding with the Philippines which brought the case.

But China rejected the ruling, leading to a series of sea and air confrontations with the Philippines that have turned the highly strategic South China Sea into a potential flashpoint between Washington and Beijing.

"The United States' presence in the Indo Pacific region is essential for maintaining peace and stability in this region," Teodoro said during the inauguration, echoing previous remarks made by Marcos//CNA-VOI

Croatian Grand Mufti, Dr. Aziz ef. Hasanović, met with officials from the Ministry of Religious Affairs in Jakarta on Monday (November 18, 2024). (ANTARA/HO-Kemenag) - 

VOInews, Jakarta : The religious affairs ministries of the Republic of Indonesia and Croatia have strengthened cooperation in religious services and Islamic education.

The cooperation strengthening was carried out by Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs, Romo Muhammad Syafi'i, during a meeting with the Grand Mufti of Croatia and chairperson of the Croatian Muslim Masyikhak, Dr. Aziz ef. Hasanovic, at the Ministry of Religious Affairs' office in Central Jakarta on Monday.

"We welcome the visit of the Grand Mufti of Croatia to Indonesia. This is a momentum to establish cooperation, especially in the fields of religious affairs, education, Islamic culture, and promoting peaceful and tolerant religious life," Syafi'i said.

He added that the meeting was in line with President Prabowo Subianto's message to bolster cooperation with other countries at the regional and global levels.

During the meeting, he outlined several areas within the scope of the Ministry of Religious Affairs that have the potential to be synergized with Croatia.

Meanwhile, the Grand Mufti of Croatia, Dr. Aziz ef. Hasanovic, said that the main purpose of his visit to Indonesia was to strengthen the relationship between Indonesia and Croatia and forge cooperation in various religious fields.

"Among the areas of cooperation is in the field of science. Croatia actively organizes various conferences and seminars, as well as discussions on religious knowledge," he informed.

He pointed out that in Croatia, Muslims make up just 1.5 percent of the population. However, their rights and obligations are fully met.

He said that on April 25–26, 2025, his party will invite Indonesia to collaborate on a symposium about zakat (obligatory almsgiving) and its impact on society.

In the fields of religion and culture, Croatia is very active in organizing the Quran Recitation Competition, the Mufti informed. He then requested Indonesia to send its delegation for the competition.

Meanwhile, director of Islamic religious information at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Ahmad Zayadi, said that the meeting had agreed on cooperation through several programs, including religious services, education, and religious seminars.

He expressed the hope that the meeting will mark the beginning of a closer relationship between the two countries in the religious sector.

"This step aligns with the Ministry of Religious Affairs' commitment to promoting moderate Islam at the global level and supporting world peace," he said.The religious affairs ministries of the Republic of Indonesia and Croatia have strengthened cooperation in religious services and Islamic education.

The cooperation strengthening was carried out by Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs, Romo Muhammad Syafi'i, during a meeting with the Grand Mufti of Croatia and chairperson of the Croatian Muslim Masyikhak, Dr. Aziz ef. Hasanovic, at the Ministry of Religious Affairs' office in Central Jakarta on Monday.

"We welcome the visit of the Grand Mufti of Croatia to Indonesia. This is a momentum to establish cooperation, especially in the fields of religious affairs, education, Islamic culture, and promoting peaceful and tolerant religious life," Syafi'i said.

He added that the meeting was in line with President Prabowo Subianto's message to bolster cooperation with other countries at the regional and global levels.

During the meeting, he outlined several areas within the scope of the Ministry of Religious Affairs that have the potential to be synergized with Croatia.

Meanwhile, the Grand Mufti of Croatia, Dr. Aziz ef. Hasanovic, said that the main purpose of his visit to Indonesia was to strengthen the relationship between Indonesia and Croatia and forge cooperation in various religious fields.

"Among the areas of cooperation is in the field of science. Croatia actively organizes various conferences and seminars, as well as discussions on religious knowledge," he informed.

He pointed out that in Croatia, Muslims make up just 1.5 percent of the population. However, their rights and obligations are fully met.

He said that on April 25–26, 2025, his party will invite Indonesia to collaborate on a symposium about zakat (obligatory almsgiving) and its impact on society.

In the fields of religion and culture, Croatia is very active in organizing the Quran Recitation Competition, the Mufti informed. He then requested Indonesia to send its delegation for the competition.

Meanwhile, director of Islamic religious information at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Ahmad Zayadi, said that the meeting had agreed on cooperation through several programs, including religious services, education, and religious seminars.

He expressed the hope that the meeting will mark the beginning of a closer relationship between the two countries in the religious sector.

"This step aligns with the Ministry of Religious Affairs' commitment to promoting moderate Islam at the global level and supporting world peace," he said//Antara-VOI

The MoU signing between PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) and Embraer, carried out by PTDI President Director Gita Amperiawan and Deputy President of Marketing of Embraer Commercial Aviation, Rodrigo Silva e Souza, on the sidelines of G20 Summit in Brazil on Sunday (November 17, 2024). (ANTARA/HO-PTDI/rst) - 

VOInews, Brazil : State-owned aircraft maker PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) and Brazilian aerospace company Embraer signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to expand collaboration in the commercial aviation industry.

"As Indonesia's leading aerospace manufacturer, PTDI is ambitious on the development of this industry in the country," PTDI President Director Gita Amperiawan noted in a statement from his office on Monday.

He elaborated that under the MoU, the two parties will conduct a joint study to evaluate opportunities for cooperation in the commercial aviation sector, especially in the fields of engineering and aeronautical structures.

Amperiawan added that the framework of this cooperation is based on strict commercial and technical standards, ensuring alignment with best practices in the industry and business objectives.

He affirmed that both companies are committed to exploring opportunities with added value while maintaining the highest quality and performance standards in aerospace manufacturing.

He noted that this agreement is important to strengthen aerospace collaboration between Brazil and Indonesia and encourage technological innovation and industrial partnerships between developing countries.

"We are looking forward to leveraging Embraer's 55 years of experience and expertise to enhance our capabilities, especially in the commercial aviation sector," he remarked.

Meanwhile, Vice President of Marketing of Embraer Rodrigo Silva e Souza also expressed his enthusiasm for the relationship established with PTDI, considering that Indonesia is one of the fastest-growing aviation markets in the world.

The relationship is an opportunity to combine the expertise of both parties, enhance Indonesia's aerospace capabilities, and expand air connectivity in the country, he revealed.

The MoU was inked at the Indonesia-Brazil CEO Forum led by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Brazil.

Currently, the Indonesian Air Force operates an A-29 Super Tucano fleet produced by Embraer.

There is also an Embraer business jet in Indonesia through PT Wira Jasa Angkasa (WJA) as the official service center for Embraer Executive Jets in Indonesia//Antara-VOI

KRI dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo-991, part of the 2024 Pacific Port Visit Task Force, docked in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, on Sunday (November 17, 2024). (ANTARA/HO-Indonesian Navy/rst) - 

VOInews, Papua New Guinea : Indonesian warship dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo-991 (WSH-911), as part of the 2024 Pacific Port Visit Task Force, docked at Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, for its humanitarian mission until November 19, 2024.

Head of Information Service of Fleet Command III, Lieutenant Colonel Ajik Sismianto, stated on Monday that the warship arrived on Sunday. Papua New Guinea is the last country for the task force humanitarian mission after Solomon Islands, Fiji, and Vanuatu.

In Papua New Guinea, the task force is scheduled to conduct several activities such as ship visit by the community, free health check-up and medical treatment on the ship, community service, and the handover of medical aid packages from the Indonesian Government to the Papua New Guinea Government.

In the welcoming ceremony, Indonesian Ambassador to Papua New Guinea Andriana Supandy welcomed the crew of KRI WSH-991 and personnel of the 2024 Pacific Port Visit Task Force.

"Thank you for your visit, devotion, and dedication in carrying out the mission of diplomatic relations in countries in the South Pacific region, including Papua New Guinea," he remarked.

He then lauded the social service programs carried out by the Pacific Port Visit Task Force, including church renovation and the delivery of medical aid packages.

"This will add to Indonesia's good image," he remarked.

On a separate occasion, Commander of the Fleet Command III, Rear Admiral Hersan, explained that the goodwill and humanitarian mission conducted by the Task Force was a form of the Indonesian Navy's support for the government's foreign policy.

"This diplomatic mission also aims to build confidence and trust with countries in the region," Hersan noted, as quoted in a statement from his office.

The Pacific Port Visit Task Force, led by Colonel Arif Prasetyo Irbianto, began its voyage to four countries in the South Pacific on October 9, 2024.

During the voyage, KRI WSH-991 carried a total of 177 personnel, comprising 141 crew members and 36 staff from the Task Force consisting of a team of divers, security forces, general practitioners and specialist doctors, students from Papua, and information officers from the Indonesian Navy Information Service.

The total voyage is scheduled to last for 48 days until KRI WSH-991 finally returns to its base in Sorong, Southwest Papua.

KRI WSH-991 is a hospital support ship under the control of the Indonesian Navy's Fleet Command III//Antara-VOI