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January
French President Emannueal Macron, was in China for a state visit, starting last January 8. It is Macron’s first visit to that country since he took office as President. The presence of the French President in Beijing was in response to President Xi Jinping's invitation.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told a press briefing ahead of Macron's departure that this visit has significance for the China-France relationship. China certainly welcomed Macron's first visit warmly. This is demonstrated by preparing a series of state events involving President Xi Jinping, Prime Minister Li Kegiang and chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Zhang Dejiang. From Beijing it was informed that the two sides had exchanged insights on bilateral relations and issues of mutual concern.
In his lecture in front of some entrepreneurs, academics and other important guests in the city of Xi'an, Macron affirmed his commitment to support the Chinese government to rebuild the silk road. In 2013, the Chinese Government launched the "One Belt One Road" program. It is a special expression for the Silk Road Development, reflecting China's bilateral and multilateral relations through economic and trade cooperation with other countries including Europe.
The "One Belt One Road" project aims to connect China through roads, railways and sea routes, with Southeast Asia, Pakistan, Central Asia and further to the Middle East, Europe and Africa. Macron's support for the ambitious project Beijing is certainly also expecting reciprocity. France views China as an influential country in Asia that can be invited to forge a strategic partnership covering several issues. Two very important issues for Macron are Terrorism and Climate change. Regarding the climate change, Macron certainly really hopes that President Xi Jinping is willing to implement the Paris agreement on climate change. China's support is seen as crucial, following the US withdrawal from the deal.
January
In 2018, 171 regions in Indonesia will carry out simultaneous regional head election -PILKADA. This is the third simultaneous election, after the ones in 2015 and 2017. The implementation of the election which will be held on 27 June 2018 seems different from the previous two elections as this year’s election is adjacent to the holding of the 2019 Presidential Election -PILPRES.
Chairman of the General Election Commission -KPU, Arief Budiman remarked that there are 158 million voters who will participate in the 2018 election, almost 80% of the total national voters. This quantity is far greater than the 2015 election with a total of 96 million voters, and the 2017 election with a total of 41 million voters.
This year’s simultaneous election is followed by not only male candidates, but also female ones. However, many say that women's political participation in the election is paid less attention by political elites. Political parties pay more attention to the electability and capital strength in nominating their cadres. They tend to use the 2018 election as a barometer for success in the 2019 Presidential Election. These electability and capital requirements are applied equally between male candidates and female ones. As a result, women's candidacy opportunities in the election are smaller because women politicians are generally less well-known and they do not have huge financial capital.
A discussion entitled "Opportunity of Women Candidates in 2018 Regional Election" was held in Jakarta on Sunday (January 7th). A politician from the United Development Party -PPP, Lena Maeyana, who was present, views that the political condition increasingly overlook Indonesian women. Indonesian law No. 7 of 2017 states that 30% of women's representation must be applied at the central level. In fact, in the previous General Election Law, 30% of women's representation is also regulated until the regency/city level.
Article 28D Paragraph (3) of the 1945 Constitution states that every citizen has the right to have equal opportunity in government. However, in the context of the 2018 regional election, the involvement of women has not been materialized as expected.
According to the Coordinator of Civil Society for Women and Political Alliance (Ansipol), Yudha Irlang Kusumaningsih, the participation of women in the 2018 election will simultaneously produce many policies that show women's partiality, especially if the candidates are elected as head of the region. A policy that shows women's partiality is necessary, given that women's empowerment is one of the 17 global sustainable development goals (SDGs) for the 2016-2030 period. That is to improve welfare evenly. The fifth point in the goal of sustainable development is to achieve gender equality and empower women. One way is by ensuring full and effective participation, and equal opportunity for women to lead at all levels of decision making in political, economic, and social spheres. Yudha also views that the empowerment of women at the regional government level is also considered urgent, because women are currently considered not equal to men. A number of studies have shown that poverty rates, school dropouts, income, and women's nutrition are still poor compared to men. It is important for women to advance in the election as representatives of their regions such as governors, mayors, regents, or deputy governors, deputy mayors and deputy regents. Thus, if there is a problem concerning women, this will be addressed by women as well.
January
Indonesia experienced a period of self-sufficiency in food, especially rice, in the 1980s. At that time, World Food Organization, FAO even gave a special award to the Indonesian government for its extraordinary achievements. However, many years after that, the self-sufficiency in rice seems difficult to repeat itself. Very often Indonesia had to import rice from neighboring countries, such as Thailand and Vietnam.
Today, during President Joko Widodo and vice-president Jusuf Kalla administration, Indonesia's desire to return to food self-sufficiency, especially rice, chili, corn and onions, is likely to come true. In early 2018, it looks like that Indonesia’s food self-sufficiency will be realized soon, as stated by Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman some time ago.
The desire is further strengthened by the revelation of the Head of Agricultural Counseling and Development Agency of the Ministry of Agriculture, Momon Rusmono. After harvesting rice crop in Kutuk Village, Undaan District, Kudus Regency, Central Java, Sunday (07/01/2018), Momon Rusmono said at present, the rice import discourse is considered not urgent, because domestic rice crop is currently quite abundant.
Nationally, Momon said, rice stock could reach one million tons, so it is enough to meet the needs for the next two to three months. Especially in the next month there will be a great harvest, so the target of 2018 for the absorption of 3.7 million tons of rice by the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) is likely to be achieved. If this happens, until next year Indonesia will no longer lack of rice, and food self-sufficiency target can be met.
Several efforts have been made by the Indonesian government, in this case the Ministry of Agriculture, to achieve food self-sufficiency. Among others is through the food self-sufficiency Special Effort program in 2015-2017, which focused on three commodities, namely rice, corn, and soybean. In addition, the government is also working to increase the area of planting. Based on data from the Ministry of Agriculture, the national planting area in July-September 2017 reached 1 to 1.1 million hectares per month. It doubled compared to the period before the program, which was only 500,000 hectares per month.
Of course Indonesia's desire to return to a self-sufficient state in food, especially rice, is not a grandiose desire that can not be achieved. But it's not as easy as turning a palm. It takes the government's hard work and also support from various parties such as agricultural counseling workers, farmers, traders and other stakeholders.
January
Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas said on Wednesday (3/1/2018) that he would not exchange Jerusalem with money or gold. In addition, the Palestinians did not reject the negotiations. Spokesperson of the President, Nabil Abu Rudeina said that President Abbas wants negotiations under international law and the resolution states that East Jerusalem is the capital of Palestine.
This statement responds to the statement of US President Donald Trump in social media, if the Palestine is reluctant to negotiate. In addition, President Trump also threatens not to provide assistance to the Palestine. He made the point because of Abbas's statement that rejected US involvement in peace talks with Israel. If America does stop the aid, the impact is serious enough for the Palestinian government.
The amount of US aid to Palestine in 2016 reached nearly $320 million dollars for the construction and security of the Palestine. In addition to that assistance, the US provides security mission assistance in Gaza and the West Bank, which reached more than $300 million dollars. But the voice of the US representative at the United Nations, Nikki Haley is softer that the US will not give more money until the Palestine advances to the negotiation.
In addition to threatening the reduction of funds to the Palestine, President Donald Trump also threatens the termination of aid to Pakistan. He reasons that it is useless to provide 15-year assistance for Pakistan. Pakistan's Foreign Minister, Khawaja Muhammad Asif stated that the United States is only covering up its failure in Afghanistan.
It is expected that Palestine does not depend on US aid. As a country that supports Palestinian independence, Indonesia can play a major role to invite countries to jointly support for aid-fund raising. The Palestinian independency on American aid makes Palestinian government has a stronger bargaining position in negotiations with Israel.
January
President Joko Widodo established ‘Siber and Sandi Negara –BSSN’. This body was formed through Presidential Regulation No. 53/2017 which was then revised to be Presidential Decree -Perpres No. 133/2017. In the regulation, Head of BSSN and his deputy are directly responsible to the President. The threat in cyberspace is an infinite threat. A serious threat to cyber-terrorism is the threat of terrorism and warfare via cyberspace.
In regard to the establishment, President Joko Widodo said that the existence of BSSN is very important and in the future, it is needed by the state, especially in anticipating the rapid development of cyber-crime in the world. In addition, the threats are increasingly diverse from the development of cyber abroad. So, Indonesia must immediately respond the challenge.
Previously, Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto in presenting his vision and mission before Commission I of the House of Representatives –DPR said that terrorism, the threat of war, and conflict are global challenges that need anticipating. Among the possible threats, Hybrid war is the one that combines conventional, irregular, and cyber wars. Marshal Hadi also said that on one hand, the rapid development of information technology is also increasingly supporting the movement of individuals or groups of terrorism to realize their interests. On the other hand, cyber warfare must also be a major consideration in the implementation of national defense and security functions.
Meanwhile, during the discussion of Policy Paper of Indonesian Cyber Diplomacy: Now and Later, November 2017, in Yogyakarta, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared that cyber diplomacy is absolutely necessary to respond to the challenges and problems arising from the development of cyber technology that cannot be separated from millennial communities nowadays. In this regard, Head of the Center for Policy Review and Development of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Fikry Cassidi said that nationally the cyber-technology challenge is well responded by the government. He views that the policy paper is prepared to support national policy in the field of cyber by contributing ideas on defining the position and strategy of Indonesian cyber diplomacy.
The technology of the virtual world is growing rapidly without a clear boundary. Indeed, the government of Indonesia should respond and be pro-active in facing cyber governance through multilateral and regional forums. Without the regulation and legal basis for addressing cyberspace, Indonesia will be powerless in its efforts. At present, almost all aspects use cyber technology in the activity. Moreover, the growth of the Internet and information technology has increased more than eight times since 2000 with more than 3 billion users. Based on the growth and development, colonization and crime can now happen not only in the real world, but also through the virtual world. Therefore, without clear legal basis, the handling of cyber threats and other devices will threaten the existence of the state, not only in terms of security, economy but also socio-culture.
January
Iran's anti-government rally still continues. The massive demonstrations that have taken place first time since 2009, sparked worldwide attention including US Donald Trump who made his comments.
What is the real cause of the anti-government movement in the Shi'ite country? Western news agencies, such as AFP, have said that dissatisfaction with the state of the economy, as the main cause. Meanwhile, Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, blamed Iran's enemies as the mastermind behind the rally. This is the first time Khamenei commented on the massive anti-government rally taking place in his country.
In response to Iran's supreme leader's comments, US President Donald Trump said the demonstrations showed that the Iranian people wanted change, and the oppressive regime would not last forever. Through his twitter account, Trump said it was time for a change in Iran.
Whether Trump's statement has justified Ali Khamanei's allegations of Iran's enemies' interference in the protest movement, must yet be explored further.
The protests in Iran have caused some deaths and dozens more injured. The government needs to find the cause of the movement. As the Iranian President said, the protests should not have caused any victims.
Is it true what Donald Trump said, that the rally in Iran will be a moment of change? Only the government and the people of Iran will decide. If the Iranian government can dampen the demonstration in a persuasive way, then it is very likely that the protests will soon be ended.
As is known, Iran has received international sanctions led by the United States, for its nuclear testing activities. In line with that, Iran has also devoted much of its resources to finance its participation in defending the government of Bashar al-Assad in Syria. Iran's support for the Syrian government is a problem for the United States and Saudi Arabia. In the geopolitical perspective, the fall of the government in present-day Iran is certainly decisive for the development of the Middle East conflict. Especially for the end of the Syrian government that has the same ideology with Iran.
January
SIMULTANEOUS REGIONAL ELECTIONS 2018
In the next few months, 171 regions in Indonesia will hold the Direct Election of Regional Head and Deputy Regional Head (Pilkada) simultaneously. Organizers' readiness becomes an important key, so that untoward incidents such as in the Elections of previous years do not happen again.
The elections of 2018 are the third simultaneous Direct Elections of Regional Head and Deputy Regional Head held in Indonesia. The first was in 2015 and the second in 2017. The elections now are scheduled for June 2018, followed by 17 provinces, 115 districts and 39 cities.
Based on the results of the General Election Commission (KPU) assessment, the List of Potential Voters in 2018 elections will reach 160 million people. This number, according to the General Elections Commission (KPU), causes the potential for conflict to be very large. In addition, the budget for the 2018 elections also reached the highest record in the history of Regional Elections in Indonesia, which is 20 trillion Rupiahs.
The Indonesian people hope, simultaneous Regional direct elections 2018 can run successfully. All parties including the organizers, political parties that carry the candidates of regional heads, participants or the candidates themselves, as well as voters, are expected to promote the unity of the nation firstly.
Reflecting on previous experiences, the contestation of candidates and political parties is considered to potentially cause conflicts. For example, if there are candidates who put forward tribal, religious, or group issues, rather than programs, to attract voters. Hopefully things like these do not happen again. Because after repeatedly conducting elections, including general elections, the Indonesian people should be aware that unity is the most important compared to mere ambitions to become leaders.
November
The importance of special envoy for religion and civilization
Written by AdministratorThe Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia -NKRI based on Pancasila, the 1945 Constitution, and Unity in Diversity (Bhinneka Tunggal Ika) is a country which recognizes the plurality of its citizens with different tribes, religions, races, or groups. Specifically about religion, Indonesia officially recognizes the existence of six religions, namely Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. The 1945 Constitution article 29 explicitly states that Indonesia is a country based on the One Supreme God. The state also guarantees the independence of every citizen to embrace his or her own religion and worship according to his or her religion and belief.
Maintaining harmony of religious communities within the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia is absolutely necessary. All religion followers must avoid insulting, harassing, disfiguring, and demeaning any different religions. There are articles about blasphemy in the Indonesian Criminal Law - KUHP to maintain the harmony of religious life and mutual respect for each other. Take for example, the followers of Islam as the largest religion in Indonesia must respect other minority religions and vice versa.
On Monday, October 23, 2017, President Joko Widodo appointed Prof. Din Syamsuddin as the president's special envoy for dialogue and inter-faith cooperation and civilization. The task is aimed at pursuing dialogue and cooperation among civilizations by promoting the culture and life of Indonesian society. Another task is by promoting harmony among religious followers in accordance with Pancasila both in the country and abroad. In regard to this, the religious harmony can be built in Indonesia. In addition, it can also help solve the world’s problems that have something to do with religion, such as Rohingya Muslims, Palestine, and Afghanistan.
In today's global uncertain situation, tensions and even conflicts between religions and civilizations occur everywhere. Indonesia is often asked, even required to be involved. This is in accordance with the message of the Preamble of the 1945 Constitution which states that Indonesia must participate in maintaining the world order, and realizing lasting peace. It is believed that inter-religious harmony among groups in Indonesia can be a good example that needs to be disseminated to the world.
The President advised Prof. Din Syamsuddin as the special envoy of the president for dialogue and interfaith cooperation and civilization to start implementing the tasks across Indonesia. Shortly after the inauguration, Prof. Din Syamsuddin immediately established a dialogue with Christian leaders in the office of the Communion of Churches in Indonesia and met with Chairman of the Indonesian Bishops' Conference.
The role of the president's special envoy for dialogue and cooperation between religions and civilizations is certainly very strategic to pursue the harmony of all religion followers or Ummah. Hopefully, the harmony of religious people in Indonesia based on Pancasila is growing well and peacefully. Communication among religious people can be more intense so that a close relationship is well-established not only in the country, but also abroad.