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Trade Minister Meeting of Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation -APEC was held for two days on May 25 – 26, 2018 in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea -PNG. The meeting resulted in some agreements, such as another access expansion for participation of all elements of Asia Pacific people in economic and trade activities, optimization of the use digital technology, internationalization of micro, small and middle enterprises, strengthening of connectivity throughout the region, and creation of inclusive and sustainable growth. Representing Indonesian Trade Minister, Director General of International Trade Negotiation at Trade Ministry, Iman Pambagyo welcomed APEC’s various initiatives and emphasized the importance of inclusive element in economic growth. He also wants all Indonesian people to get benefits from the economy as much as possible because the changing can encourage welfare distribution. PNG as the host of APEC 2018 carried a theme “Harnessing Inclusive Opportunities, Embracing the Digital Future”.

Indonesian handmade jewelries succeeded to attract visitors of  the 22nd International Jewelry Kobe (IJK) starting on May 16 until 18, 2018 in Kobe, Japan. The jewelries made Indonesian pavilion get attracted. This was stated by Head of Indonesian Trade Promotion Center (ITPC) Osaka, Ichwan Joesoef. The event was one of the biggest jewelry exhibitions in Japan. Indonesian Ministry of Trade through ITPC Osaka in cooperation with Indonesian Consulate General in Osaka facilitated 12 Indonesian brands in the exhibition this year. From the exhibition,  Indonesian pavilion recorded transaction and transaction potential more than 10 million yen or $90 thousand dollars.

Indonesia continues to expand export market for industrial products to European Union region. Some national manufacture products which are increasing the exports’ value are like foods and beverages, textile, cloths and foot-wears,  palm oil and its derivatives. The Indonesian and European Union economy has been synergized so far. Minister of industry, Airlangga Hartarto said that after receiving the visit of European Union Ambassador to Indonesia, Vincent Guerend in Jakarta on last Friday (25/5) that the commodity competitiveness between both parties is different so that they can complement each other. The Ministry of Industry recorded that total value of Indonesia-European Union trade in 2017 reached $25.2 billion dollars by Indonesian export to European Union worth $14.5 billion dollars and import around $10.7 billion dollars. So, the surplus was around $3.8 billion dollars. Meanwhile, investment value of European Union in Indonesia in 2016 reached $2.6 billion dollars, with 2,813 projects. To enhance bilateral economic cooperation, Minister Airlangga also encouraged acceleration of settlement of negotiation of Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IEU-CEPA). The 4th negotiation of IEU-CEPA was conducted in February 2018 in Surakarta, Central Java. The 5th negotiation will be conducted in July 2018 in Brussels, Belgium.

Here is Headlines of several national newspapers published today, May 26.

We begin with Kompas entitled, “Terror Act Prevention becomes Priority”. The effort to eradicate and prevent terrorism got new energy. Anti-terrorism Act that was approved by House of Representatives on Friday (25/5) became the legal basis for law enforcer to prioritize preventive moves agains terror actions. The police aided by National Army TNI can execute all necessary moves to prevent the terror action, but still uphold the human rights. The law enforcers are also allowed to arrest Indonesian citizens who return to the country after joining terrorist groups abroad. Besides prioritizing prevention, the Anti-terrorism Act was seen to be more comprehensive in protecting victims by arranging compensation, restitution, medical aid, psychological & psycosocial rehab, as well as compensation for dead victim. The antiterrorism draft bill had been dsicussed since April 27 2016 and was accelerated after series of terror attacks in several regions. Moving on to Media Indonesia entitled, “TNI Involvement was Highest Commander’s Command. War drums against terrorism in the country was sounded louder. Government will accelerate the discussion of the presidential regulation on National Army TNI involvemenr in terrorism countermeasures. That was done after the House’s plenary session on Friday (25/5) which aproved the draft bill no. 15/2003 on government regulation in lieu of law no. 1/2002 on antiterrorism into a law. Presidential Staff Head Moeldoko said, the presidential regulation on TNI involvement in terrorism countermeasure will rather regulate technical elements. Moeldoko addes, the President will lead directly the presidential regulation on TNI involvement in countering terrorism. We end the Headlines with Republika entitled Global Bonds is Still an Option. Bond emission stayed as fundraising alternative for state-owned companies, despite having to pay higher interest amidst financial market volatility. In 2018 period, three state-owned companies had colllected fund by global bond issuance. The total emission had reached 2.90 billion US dollar.

Today in History over RRI World Service, Voice of Indonesia. We start from an event on May 26, 1966 when Guyana gained its independence.

Guyana located in the North of Latin America liberated itself.  Guyana was discovered by Spanish sailors around the 5th century ago. So, Spain became Guyana’s colonialist. In early 18th century, great war occurred among European countries to occupy Guyana, Suriname, Venezuela, and a number of Brazilian regions. In 1815, the Vienna agreement was signed by countries involved in the war. In the agreement, region’s borders, which were disputed by colonial countries, were determined. In the division, Guyana became territory of British colony. Finally, Guyana gained its independence on May 26, 1966. However, at that time, Guyana’s status was still as member of Commonwealth. In 1970, Guyana really released all relations with colonial country, namely Britain.

The next event is that in 1972, the United States of America and Soviet Union signed agreement of Anti-Ballistic Missile.

Treaty of Anti-Ballistic Missile was treaty between the United States of America and Soviet Union on limitation of system of Anti-Ballistic Missile  which was used to defend territory on nuclear weapon. On May 26, 1972, then President of  the United States of America, Richard Nixon and Secretary General of Soviet Union Communist Party, Leonid Brezhnev signed Treaty of Anti-Ballistic Missile. The treaty was valid for 30 years, starting from1972 until 2002.

And the last event is that in 2005, Radius passed away.

Dr. Radius Prawiro was an Indonesian economist and politician. His economic and political career began as the Secretary of the People’s Security Committee  in Yogyakarta in 1945 and continued as TRI Liaison Officer in Yogyakarta. He was the Staff of the Military Governor of the Yogyakarta and worked as a Technical Officer in the National Accounting Office. Then, he held the position of Deputy Minister for the National Audit Office of Indonesia, Deputy Minister for Central Bank, Governor of the National Bank of Indonesia, Governor of the Bank Indonesia, and served concurrently as Governor of the International Monetary Fund and the Vice-Governor of the Asian Development Bank for Indonesia from. Radius became a member of the President’s Economic Expert’s Team, and served as Head of the Governing Committee of the World Bank. He was then appointed Minister of Trade in both the Second Development Cabinet and the Third Development Cabinet, Finance Minister in the Fourth Development Cabinet and was Coordinating Minister of the Economics, Finance and Industry and Development Supervisory Board. He recorded his views of economic policy in Indonesia in a useful book ‘Indonesia's Struggle for Economic Development’ published in 1998. Radius Prawiro died in Germany on May 26, 2005 due to heart disease.

Welcome to Miscellany, a regular segment featuring various aspects of Indonesian life. Including art and culture, customs and tradition , technology and environment, even life style. Today’s edition will be about Tenganan Festival 2018. A tourism festival organized by the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism in cooperation with the Government of Karangasem Regency through the Tourism Office of Karangasem Regency.

This festival is part of 100 Calendar Events that will take place in various corners of Indonesia throughout 2018 which is Visit Wonderful Indonesia Year. Tenganan Festival will be very special because it is held simultaneously with Usaba Sambah Ceremony in Tenganan Pegringsingan Village, Karangasem Regency, Bali. Local residents referred these as mekare-kare and megeret pandan.

Tenganan Festival actually is an event with is mainly featuring \ the tradition of " Perang Pandan” or Pandaus War. Of course this is not a real battle. However, philosophically, mekare-kare means worshiping Indra who is the god of war for Hindus.

This ritual is a form of dexterity practice for the soldiers of Lord Indra, also to commemorate the freedom of the people from the grip of cruelty of King Maya Denawa. With the theme of "Old Village", Tenganan Festival 2018 will lift the tradition of old villages in Karangasem regency which is a high cultural heritage.

This year, the festival will be held on 7-8 June 2018 in front of Bale Patemu (meeting hall), Tenganan Village, Manggis District, Karangasem regency, Bali Province. It is alled Pandan War because the weapon used for this so-called "war" is several thorny pandanus leaves (Pandanus amaryillifolius), tied together to resemble a mace.

This ritual is open to all Tenganan men, young and old. Even visitors can participate by first attending a prayer session led by traditional elders or priests. With pandanus weapons in one hand and a wicker shield in the other hand, two fighters wearing Balinese sarongs and bare-chested come forward to fight , beat and fend off each other.

After a pair finish fighting, another pair will follow, and so on until the fighters run out. Hittings are only allowed to the back, chest and neck of the opponent, and not to be directed to the face.

Wounds all over the fighters’ bodies, sometimes bleeding, do not make them carry any grudge towards each other. After the "war" is over, the participants actually look amicable even quite friendly. They would help each other by applying herbs to the injured parts of the body. The event is ended by eating together or megibung.

In Bali, only Hindus in Tenganan perform the Pandan War ritual. Tenganan is known as an old village inhabited by Bali Aga people. This village in general is different from other villages on the Island of Gods, especially in performing rituals.

Tenganan consists of two hamlets, Dauh Tukad (roughly translated as 'west river'), and Pegringsingan. The latter is famous for its Geringsing 'double tied' woven cloth which is a precious heritage, worn or used   during important rituals. You can watch the making process of this special woven cloth while traveling to Tenganan anytime of the year.

During the Tenganan festival, a special dueling arena is established, the houses are gracefully decorated, and the girls would board a large wooden swing as part of the celebration.

That was Miscellany today with the topic “Tenganan Festival 2018".