VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Siak District Deputy Head Husni Merza and Head of the Siak Library and Archive Office Salmiah Safitri symbolically receiving aid from the central government in the form of a mobile library and 25 thousand books in Jakarta on Friday (May 17, 2024).  (Photo by: ANTARA/HO-Pemkab Siak)

VOINews, Jakarta: The National Library (Perpusnas) provided Siak District, Riau Province, with a mobile library wagon and 25 thousand books in commemoration of National Book Day 2024 on Friday (May 17).

As quoted by Antara, During a commemorative event held in Jakarta, Vice President Ma'ruf Amin symbolically handed over the mobile library and thousands of books to Siak District Deputy Head Husni Merza and Head of the Siak Library and Archive Office Salmiah Safitri.

In Siak, on Saturday, Merza expressed hope that the grants would enhance access to reading materials expected to boost the reading interest of Siak residents, especially those from younger generations.

"We hope that this assistance will help us boost Siak residents' love for reading, especially the youngsters. Hopefully, they will be encouraged to read to broaden their insights and knowledge," he remarked.

The deputy district head then emphasized the need for libraries to keep making innovations to attract a broader population to nurture love for reading.

Merza said he envisions libraries in Siak as popular places of the district's residents while noting that the Siak Reading House has been operational since 2010.

The official then stated that Siak would have a regional library that is expected to emerge as a center for literacy and education for the people.

At Friday's event, Acting Head of Perpusnas, Aminuddin Azis, affirmed his institution's commitment to solidifying the reading culture and literacy of the people in order to build a reading-loving and highly literate community.

"This is in line with the directives of President Joko Widodo and Vice President Ma'ruf Amin concerning the need to produce superior human resources to achieve the Golden Indonesia 2045 vision," he stated.//Antara/VOI

Youth and Sports Minister Dito Ariotedjo chairing a PON coordination meeting in Medan, North Sumatra, on Friday (May 17, 2024). (Photo by: ANTARA/HO-Humas Kemenpora/Herry)

VOINews, Jakarta: Preparations for this year's quadrennial national sports event, the 21st National Sports Week (PON) Aceh-North Sumatra, have almost reached completion, according to Youth and Sports Minister Dito Ariotedjo.

As quoted by Antara "Overall, the preparations are well done. I think we only need to take some more minor steps prior to the holding of the event," he noted in the Youth and Sports Ministry's statement received in Jakarta on Saturday.

While chairing a PON preparation coordination meeting in Medan, North Sumatra Province, on Friday (May 17), Ariotedjo observed that the province is ready to co-host the national event but still needs to speed up some technical and non-technical preparations.

The minister also affirmed that the 21st PON would be held as initially planned on September 8-20, dismissing rumours about postponement circulating in the public.

"It should be noted that this year's PON will be the first to take place in two provinces. Hence, adaptation is required. There will be no postponement, as both North Sumatra and Aceh have been showing cohesiveness and progress," he stated.

During the meeting, Ariotedjo also spoke about the plan to organize the National Paralympics Week (Peparnas).

"It (Peparnas) has been under discussion. We will highlight it during a meeting with Mr. President (Joko Widodo). We will take necessary steps posthaste," he said.

Meanwhile, Acting North Sumatra Governor Hassanudin expressed optimism about his province becoming a successful co-host and participant of the upcoming PON.

"We would like to thank Mr. Minister for his presence here and his support for our preparations for PON. As a co-host, we surely hope for a successful and smooth running event," he remarked.

During the 21st PON, Aceh will host 33 sports branches involving 5,636 athletes and 2,572 officials. Meanwhile, North Sumatra will accommodate 34 sports branches, with 6,281 athletes and 3,140 officials participating.//Antara/VOI

Police patrol the Nusa Dua area, Badung, Bali, Friday (10/5/2024). The tourism area managed by the InJourney Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) has prepared various facilities and infrastructure as well as security support while being the location for the 10th World Water Forum on 18-25 May. BETWEEN PHOTOS/Fikri Yusuf/Spt - 

VOInews, Jakarta : President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) is confirmed to be present at the opening of the world's largest water forum meeting or the 10th World Water Forum which will be held on 18-25 May 2024 in Nusa Dua, Bali.

This was stated by the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan in Badung Bali, Tuesday (14/5/2024).

As a commitment to addressing water and sanitation issues, Indonesia at the 10th World Water Forum will also realize cooperation with the government of the United Arab Emirates, namely groundbreaking the construction of the Mangrove Research Center or International Mangrove Research Center (IMRC) on Turtle Island.

“The President will attend. The event details are also all ready. "Later, there will also be a groundbreaking on Turtle Island," said Luhut.

Luhut also revealed that President Jokowi and Elon Musk, who were also present at the World Water Forum, would also inaugurate the Starlink satellite-based internet service, Sunday (19/5/2024). This service will reach all regions in Indonesia, especially disadvantaged, frontier and outermost areas (3T).

"Elon Musk will also speak at the opening of the 10th World Water Forum in Bali," said Luhut.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Friday (17/05/24), Indonesia is the third country in Asia after Japan and South Korea to be chosen to host the 10th World Water Forum. This water forum will present three main processes, namely thematic, regional and political, as well as six sub-themes which are in line with the results of discussions at the World Water Conference in New York in 2023//VOI

The Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries held the 10th WWF National Committee Coordination Meeting in Bali, Laguna Resort and Spa to discuss the progress of preparations for the 10th World Water Forum (WWF), (Photo : Kemenkomarves) - 

VOInews, Bali : Coordinating Minister Luhut opened this coordination meeting by warmly welcoming the 10th WWF National Committee. Then Coordinating Minister Luhut immediately said that, "Interest in this WWF event is increasing. Today 13,448 people from 148 countries have registered. The VVIP delegation consists of eight heads of state and deputy heads of government, three special envoys and 38 ministers.

"Apart from that, there are members of parliament from various countries, regional representatives, associations, private companies and youth," he explained. This agenda will be attended by the President of the Republic of Indonesia, and VVIP. According to Coordinating Minister Luhut, the presence of the President of the Republic of Indonesia and VVIP requires us to prepare the World Water Forum These 10 are the maximum possible.

According to the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, media publications, especially international ones, need to be well guarded. Ministerial Declaration with the outcome of three Indonesian proposals, namely Integrated water resources management on small islands, Center of excellence on water and climate resilience and the declaration of World Lake Day, which will be submitted to the UN to become the UN Water Agenda.

Coordinating Minister Luhut added, "Apart from that, we also have to produce concrete deliverables from WWF, which will implement 120 strategic projects related to water worth 9.4 billion USD, including a follow-up to Indonesia's initiative at the G20 in 2022, namely the G20 Bali Global Blended Finance Alliance ( GBFA) which will support funding for climate action including overcoming the water crisis. We will launch the GBFA Secretariat and sign LoIs with several countries as Founding Members on May 20. The State Secretariat and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs hope to facilitate high-level invitees who have not yet received access. he added.

Coordinating Minister Luhut noted that security is also a very important factor. starting from the comfort of the invitees who attended, to all the quite large number of participants in this WWF event. Then Coordinating Minister Luhut invited the PUPR Minister as daily chairman of the 10th WWF National Committee to explain the progress of preparations for the 10th WWF.

"In this WWF National Committee Coordination Meeting, Mr. Basuki Hadimuljo as Daily Chair said that there would be a Ministerial Meeting attended by 103 Ministers from 132 countries," he explained. "All of this is still moving, because there are still 99 countries that have not yet been confirmed, said the Minister of PUPR , daily chairman of the 10th WWF implementation.

"We invite 4 schools every day to enjoy this forum," said the 10th Chief Executive of WWF.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Friday (17/05/24) in Jakarta, WWF's Chief Executive also said that, as of May 17 2024, of the 13,000 who registered formally, there were around 2,900 National participants, and for ministries and committees there were 1,600 people. There were 1,357 speakers from within and outside the country and there were 4,890 media exhibitors and sponsors.

There will be 2 exhibitions at BNDCC, namely the Country Pavilion and the Organization Pavilion. There are 21 countries that are certain to take part in this exhibition.

In the 10th WWF there will also be a Fair and Expo. There were 188 media outlets and 690 journalists. 41 international media, 64 national media.

TNI Commander Agus Subiyanto explained the progress of preparations related to security.

The TNI Commander explained, "We have carried out embarkation using 4 KRIs, 2 Hercules units, and 1 N95 unit, as well as disembarkation at Benoa Bali port," he said.

"We have also inspected the venue and Helipad, then the total security personnel reached 8,800 people," added the TNI Commander.

"On May 17 2024, TFG will be held," said TNI Commander Agus.

The National Police Chief explained, "our personnel involvement plan is 5,791 people. The deployment of capabilities and personnel dislocations have now all been set in place, both in ring 1 to join Paspampres, then rings 2 and 3.

"Then we have prepared the route area, including traffic flow engineering," explained the National Police Chief in his presentation.

In this coordination meeting, Wisnu Tama as EO of de Pacto explained the progress of preparations for holding WWF.

The Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy also said on the occasion, "We want to ensure that this WWF event before the President finishes his term of office becomes a memorable event.

Finally, Coordinating Minister Luhut said, "I can conclude that our preparations are quite good, there are still 2 days to prepare. I really ask the police, BIN and TNI, to ensure that security is properly maintained so that it is safe, because otherwise this could all end," he concluded.

"Then regarding rubbish, the Governor has ensured that the rubbish cannot be seen during the World Water Forum," concluded Coordinating Minister Luhut//VOI