VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Police stand outside the television building as protesters and Law and Justice politicians gather inside the headquarters after the management of Polish public television, radio and news agency PAP have been dismissed by new culture minister in Warsaw, Poland, on Dec 20, 2023. (Photo: Dawid Zuchowicz/Agencja Wyborcza.pl via REUTERS) - 

WARSAW: The new Polish government led by Donald Tusk is implementing reforms of state media that amount to "anarchy", the president said on Thursday, amid rising tensions between the head of state and a new pro-European Union administration.

The swearing-in of a government led former European Council President Tusk this month marked the beginning of a period of cohabitation with President Andrzej Duda, an ally of the previous nationalist administration. It has seen a turbulent first few days.

On Wednesday, the new government took a public news channel off the air and dismissed executives from state media in a move its said was designed to restore impartiality.

State media, and in particular news channel TVP Info, were accused of having become outlets for propaganda under the rule of the nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party.

Duda told private broadcaster Radio Zet that the sudden way the changes had been implemented broke the constitution as they skipped the appropriate parliamentary procedures.

"These are completely illegal actions," he said. "This is anarchy."

Meanwhile Former Polish Interior Minister Mariusz Kaminski and his deputy from PiS were sentenced on Wednesday to two years in prison for abuse of power in previous posts. In 2015, weeks after PiS came to power, Duda issued them with a pardon.

"I told them that if they were put in prison, they would be the first political prisoners in Poland since 1989," Duda said, referring to the year when communist rule ended.

Responding to an appeal on Wednesday from Duda to respect the law when implementing media reforms, Tusk said the actions were aimed at "restoring legal order and common decency in public life".

The new government considers Duda himself to have been involved in multiple violations of the constitution during PiS's eight years in power//CNA-VOI

FILE PHOTO: A metal figure of a football player with a ball is seen in front of the words "European Super League" and the UEFA logo in this illustration taken April 20, 2021. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo - 

BRUSSELS: Soccer bodies UEFA and FIFA contravened EU law when they prevented the formation of the European Super League (ESL), the European Court of Justice said on Thursday (Dec 21).

The EU's top court ruled that FIFA and UEFA abused their dominant position by forbidding clubs outright to compete in a ESL, but added that the competition may still not be approved.

Sports development company A22, formed to assist in the creation of the ESL, had claimed UEFA and global soccer governing body FIFA held a monopoly position which was in breach of the EU's Competition and Free Movement Law.

"We have won the right to compete. The UEFA-monopoly is over. Football is free," said A22 CEO Bernd Reichart.

"Clubs are now free from the threat of sanction and free to determine their own futures," Reichard added in a statement//CNA-VOI

File - The Indonesian Hospital in Gaza, Palestine. (ANTARA/HO-MER-C/pri.) - 

Voinews, Jakarta - The Indonesian Medical Emergency Rescue Committee (MER-C) will ask the World Health Organization (WHO) to investigate the occupation of Indonesia Hospital in Gaza by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), which uses it as their headquarters.

"MER-C will send a letter to the WHO requesting it to send an investigation team," MER-C Presidium Chair Sarbini Abdul Murad stated on Thursday.

Apart from urging the WHO to investigate Indonesia Hospital being used as a military base, Murad also called on the organization to appeal to Israeli soldiers to leave the facility.

"The WHO has the authority to do that," he stated.

On November 6, 2023, IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari accused the hospital of having a tunnel and being used as headquarters for the Palestinian militant group, Hamas. However, this allegation has been denied with no proof, Murad remarked.

After the one-week ceasefire, Israel gave an ultimatum for Indonesia Hospital in Gaza to be vacated. Apart from asking the health workers and patients to leave, the Israeli troops also used the hospital as a military base.

Murad noted that the action had clearly violated international humanitarian law by using hospitals as shields. Moreover, hospitals are neutral institutions that cannot be occupied by soldiers.

"There should be no military presence in hospitals, and we strongly condemn that," he emphasized.

Responding to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Murad criticized the approach of the United Nations (UN), which appeared to be passive.

To stop Israel's crime against Palestinians, instead of merely condemning the aggression, the global community should take concrete steps to end it, he stated//ANT-VOI

FILE PHOTO : Traffic flow in Cikampek Toll Road - 

Voinews Jakarta - The Joint Decree (SKB) by the Ministry of Transportation, Korlantas Polri and the Ministry of PUPR concerning Road Traffic Regulations and Crossings During the Homecoming and Returning Transport Periods for Christmas 2023 and New Year 2024 was officially published on Wednesday, December 5 2023. 

Director General Hendro said that with this SKB, travel during the Christmas holiday will experience regulations and restrictions for the sake of safety, security, comfort and order.

"There are times when there will be regulations on highways and crossings," explained Director General Hendro in Jakarta, Thursday (21/12/2023).

The stipulations include, among other things, operational restrictions on goods transportation on toll roads and non-toll roads, the system of tidal/non-flowing lanes and lanes (contra flow).

Next are the arrangements for crossings on the Merak-Bakauheni, Ketapang-Gilimanuk and Anchor-Lembar routes.

Arrangement of travel delays (delaying system) and as a buffer zone for the operation of goods transport vehicles on the Merak, Bakauheni, Ketapang, Gilimanuk, Anchor and Selamat routes.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Thursday, regarding restrictions, goods transport vehicles subject to restrictions include goods cars weighing more than 14,000 kg, goods cars with 3 axles or more. Then goods cars with attached trains, trailers, and goods cars transporting excavation products, mining products and building materials.

"This restriction is carried out to increase the smoothness of traffic during the Christmas holiday considering that the number of vehicle volumes is predicted to increase, both on toll and non-toll roads," said Director General Hendro.

Goods transportation vehicles that are exempt from restrictions or can still operate are those that transport fuel or BBG, money, animal and animal feed, fertilizer and basic goods.

However, the vehicle must be equipped with a bill of lading with several provisions, namely issued by the owner of the goods being transported, a bill of lading containing information on the type of goods, destination, and the name and address of the goods owner. Finally, it is attached to the front windshield on the left side of the goods vehicle.

Director General Hendro stated that apart from limiting goods transport vehicles and regulating traffic lanes during the Christmas holiday, the SKB also regulates the operations of crossing transport.

From 22 December to 2 January 2024, from both the Merak and Bakauheni Ferry Ports, two-wheeled, four-wheeled and bus vehicles will be a priority, while goods transportation will not be prioritized.

"All or part of goods transport vehicles to Sumatra can go through Ciwandan Port, according to the density conditions at the port," concluded Director General Hendro//VOI