VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOInews, Jakarta: Halal Indonesia International Trade Show (HIITS) 2023, displaying various superior products including food products, cosmetics, clothing, service products and educational activities, was held from 8-10 December 2023 at Hall 3-3A, ICE BSD, Tangerang, Indonesia. During the Halal Fair–HIITS 2023, free halal consultation and certification services were also held.

Apart from that, the organizers also provided opportunities for business actors to expand their networks through collaborative partnerships with other business actors at home and abroad. The business actors participating in the 2023 Halal Fair not only came from Indonesia, but also from abroad such as Mali, Sudan and, Tunisia and Palestine.

One of the officials accompanying the Tunisian representative, Abdelkarim Hamdaoui, said on Saturday that Tunisia displayed many agricultural and food products at the Halal Fair, such as dates and sweets. However, according to him, at the Halal fair this time they specialized in olive oil products.

“This time we show more olive oil, we export olive oil to 75 countries around the world, especially to Arab countries and Muslim countries, which of course is packaged in a halal (allowed) way with the best quality that we have,” said Abdelkarim Hamdaoui.

Abdulkarim Hamdaoui explained that Tunisia is the second largest olive oil producing country in the world with a total production of 350,000 tons per year. He hoped that the 2023 Halal Fair would be able to meet and explore Indonesian buyers and entrepreneurs to collaborate in marketing and selling Olive Oil in Indonesia.

Referring to the committee's publication, the 2023 Halal Fair carries the slogan The Most Inspiring Halal Event by combining the concepts of Business to Customer (B2C) and Business to Business (B2B). It is hoped that this Halal Fair will make a real contribution and encourage accelerated development of MSMEs to go global while strengthening the halal industry in the country.

VOInews, Jakarta: Indonesia is strongly committed to the promotion of human rights in the world. Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said that as a candidate for election to the UN Human Rights Council, Indonesia reaffirms its commitment to support Palestine.

"As a candidate for election to the UN Human Rights Council, Indonesia reaffirms its commitment to strengthen political solidarity and humanitarian support for Palestine, including by tripling its contribution to UNWRA," Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudid said in an official statement received by Indonesia Window here on Tuesday (12/12/2023).

On that occasion, she also conveyed Indonesia's commitment to the ratification of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. For this reason, according to him, Indonesia continues to make efforts so that the ratification can be fulfilled in its entirety.

"If the convention has been ratified, it means that Indonesia has ratified all core international human rights instruments," Retno said.

Retno also said that Indonesia is also committed to protecting and respecting the rights of persons with disabilities, including by strengthening the role of the National Commission on Disability.

Indonesia, she added, is also committed to implementing the National Strategy on Business and Human Rights.

During her visit to Geneva, Foreign Minister Retno also met with Thant Myint-U, a visiting scholar at the University of Cambridge to discuss Myanmar issues. Both will be panelists in the "Round Table: the Future of Human Rights, Peace and Security" on the second day of the 75th anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights on Tuesday, December 12, 2023.

The 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights at UN Geneva Headquarters was attended by around 16 Heads of State and 20 Ministerial-level officials.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said that preparing talent and talents for the future is becoming more concrete today amid rapid world changes.

Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim addressing the media after a Cabinet meeting on Feb 8, 2023. (Photo: Facebook/Anwar Ibrahim) - 

Voinews, Jakarta - Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is expected to announce changes to his cabinet on Tuesday (Dec 12) in his first leadership reshuffle since taking power a year ago, according to various reports by Malaysian media. 

The Star, citing “highly placed” sources, reported that the cabinet reshuffle is likely to affect “several ministries” and could see the return of “several senior MPs who had previously served as ministers”. 

It added that a few MPs may make their debut as ministers. 

The Bernama news agency said a swearing-in ceremony of federal ministers is scheduled to be held at the Istana Negara at 2.30pm.

Apart from taking the oath of office, loyalty and secrecy, the new members of the cabinet will also be awarded their respective letters of appointment during the ceremony, said the report, citing sources. 

Broadcaster Astro Awani said that the reshuffle will involve “more than six people” and that some ministers will be “swapping portfolios”. 

The reports come amid speculation that Mr Anwar will announce a major overhaul across different ministries. 

He is expected to announce a new Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living to replace Dr Salahuddin Ayub, who died in July due to a brain haemorrhage. 

Local media have also speculated that Mr Anwar could appoint a second finance minister, with The Star previously reporting that United Malay National Organisation (UMNO) member Johari Abdul Ghani could be a possible candidate. Mr Anwar currently holds the Finance Minister portfolio. 

Mr Johari, who is Member of Parliament for Titiwangsa, served as second finance minister from 2016 to 2018 during former premier Najib Razak’s administration. 

There is also talk that Mr Anwar could make changes to the Ministry of Human Resources as well as the Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change. 

Awani reported that Mr Anwar is reportedly likely to recreate the Ministry of Federal Territories as a standalone entity. The ministry was administratively restructured under the Prime Minister’s Office after the last general election. 

Last month, Mr Anwar’s unity government celebrated its one-year anniversary. Mr Anwar has consolidated power to command a strong majority in parliament, giving him a clear runway to the remainder of his five-year mandate.

However, his approval rating has taken a hit one year after he assumed office, with pollsters citing concerns over the economy and cost of living as drivers for the dip in voter sentiment//CNA-VOI