VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOINews, Jakarta - The newly appointed Indonesian Ambassador to Romania and Moldova, Meidyatama Suryodiningrat, has said that President Joko Widodo expects him to be able to tap into Indonesia's economic potential in Eastern Europe, especially in the Balkans.

"The president emphasized three or four points regarding our duties in Romania," Suryodiningrat remarked after being inaugurated by President Widodo (Jokowi), along with 11 other ambassadors at the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta on Monday (June 26).

Jokowi highlighted that one of the points is the need to conduct economic diplomacy to increase Indonesia's economic potential abroad, especially in the Balkans and Eastern Europe.

"The second point surely concerns matters related to the sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia. Third, the president emphasized the protection of Indonesian citizens abroad," the ambassador remarked.

Meanwhile, the fourth point, addressed to all Indonesian ambassadors, concerns the urgency to focus on the efforts to facilitate, secure, and ensure the smooth implementation of the 2024 general elections.

"Romania itself is a country with enormous potential. In general, Eastern Europe provides a lot of challenges that we can translate into enormous potential if we can make the most of them," he noted.

Suryodiningrat also highlighted the fact that the region is a major wheat producer.

"What is crucial is that we must secure and ensure the supply and export flow of wheat to Indonesia, as the commodity is one of the country's staple raw materials," he affirmed.

Suryodiningrat previously served as the President Director of the state-owned news agency ANTARA since January 22, 2016.

Prior to his term at ANTARA, Suryodiningrat had served as the Editor-in-Chief of The Jakarta Post for six years, as well as a member of the board of directors of PT Bina Media Tenggara, the publisher of the Post.

In addition to pursuing a career in journalism for over 18 years, Suryodiningrat also once worked as an analyst at a strategic consulting firm in Jakarta that dealt with the government and society.

The ambassador received a bachelor's degree in political science and history from Carleton University in Ottawa, a master's degree from Dalhousie University, and served as a fellow researcher at Harvard University. (antaranews)

VOINews, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has called on Indonesian ambassadors to exert all-out efforts to ensure that the 2024 general elections abroad will run smoothly, according to a newly appointed ambassador.

"The president called on us to ensure the fulfillment of Indonesian citizens' rights, including facilitating the process of voter registration," said Meidyatama Suryodiningrat, the Indonesian Ambassador to Romania and Moldova, at the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta on Monday (June 26).

The ambassador delivered the statement after he, along with 11 other ambassadors, was officially appointed by the president at the palace.

"It should be noted that we, as the country's representatives, do not directly organize the elections, as it is the responsibility of the Indonesian Overseas Election Committee (PPLN). Our duty is to facilitate the process," he noted.

He further remarked that the appointment of the 12 extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassadors was the first one to be done during the era of the COVID-19 endemic.

"Hence, it is slightly different," Suryodiningrat stated.

The ambassador also conveyed the president's message to attach the same level of importance to both the elections conducted abroad and in Indonesia.

"We should guarantee that all Indonesian citizens abroad will be able to exercise their rights as voters in accordance with the applicable laws while ensuring the smooth running of the process. Thus, the elections conducted abroad and in Indonesia are of the same essence," he stressed.

Earlier, Ambassador Suryodiningrat served as the President Director of the state-owned news agency ANTARA since January 22, 2016.

Prior to his term at ANTARA, Suryodiningrat had been serving as the Editor-in-Chief of The Jakarta Post for six years, as well as a member of the board of directors of PT Bina Media Tenggara, the publisher of the Post.

Apart from pursuing a career in journalism for over 18 years, Suryodiningrat also once worked as an analyst at a strategic consulting firm in Jakarta that deals with the government and society.

The ambassador received a bachelor's degree in political science and history from Carleton University in Ottawa and a master's degree from Dalhousie University. He also served as a fellow researcher at Harvard University. (Antaranews)

VOINews, Jakarta - Indonesia has the potential to cooperate with Germany in the development of sports science, Minister of Youth and Sports Dito Ariotedjo said on Monday following his visit to Germany.

He said that during the visit, he held a meeting with the German Parliament's Sports Committee Group Coordinator Philipp Hartewig and Committee Member Stephan Mayer.

"The meeting aimed to discuss the potential cooperation between Indonesia and Germany in the area of sports science," Ariotedjo said in Jakarta.

The meeting also discussed the potential for friendly matches between Indonesia and Germany in several sports, such as football, volleyball, and basketball.

Ariotedjo noted that as the meeting was informal in nature, efforts will be made to formalize the talks and their follow-up.

"We will continue with follow-up actions and communication. The last meeting was informal, and we will try to formalize it," the minister noted.

Indonesia has a significant opportunity to cooperate with Germany in sports science, as its development has reached an advanced stage in the country, he remarked.

"We hope this will be the beginning of sports cooperation between Indonesia and Germany," Ariotedjo stated.

Meanwhile, the minister said Indonesia was in the limelight during the visit, adding that it was even offered to host the 2027 Special Olympics World Games (SOWG).

He said that Indonesia has the potential to host the 2027 SOWG, as it is perceived as a developing and iconic country that can represent the Asia-Pacific region.

"Indonesia is deemed capable of representing Asia-Pacific. Indonesia has fulfilled criteria on event organization facilities, and Indonesia has also hosted major events several times at sports arenas with international standards," Ariotedjo remarked. (Antaranews)

VOINews, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has urged law enforcers to impose hefty sentences against drug dealers in Indonesia as a commitment to drug eradication efforts.

"Impose hefty sentences against drug dealers," the president stated via video broadcast during the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking commemoration at the Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park here on Monday (June 26) evening.

Apart from imposing severe punishment on drug traffickers, the president highlighted the need to intensify rehabilitation efforts for drug abuse victims.

Moreover, he urged all elements to improve familial and social resilience as well as raise awareness about the dangers of drugs from an early age.

"Let us make this year's World Drug Day a momentum to intensify our fight against drug abuse and illicit trafficking," Jokowi emphasized.

Meanwhile, National Narcotics Agency (BNN) Head Petrus Golose stated that according to Jokowi's instruction, the agency would take firm measures against all parties involved in illicit drug trafficking.

"We will earnestly eradicate drug traffickers and also bolster the rehabilitation aspect and our (anti-drug) dissemination, particularly among youth," Golose affirmed.

The agency head noted that the World Drug Day commemoration event in Bali is proof for Indonesians and the global community regarding BNN's firm efforts to eradicate drugs.

Despite BNN having various approaches to drug eradication, such as soft power, hard power, smart power, and cooperation, he said that the agency would prioritize soft power and preventive steps.

"We will prioritize soft power rather than the hard power approach. We prefer rescuing the people through programs involving the public and the grassroots," Golose noted.

He affirmed that the BNN would be attentive to new illicit drug types without neglecting the most commonly found drug in Indonesia, marijuana.

"Overall, the most commonly used are Cannabis sativa (marijuana), then crystal meth (methamphetamine), and we will also anticipate the entry of heroin and cocaine," he stated.

Golose also emphasized that efforts to eradicate drugs should be made through cooperation with other countries, especially those included in Southeast Asia's Golden Triangle and Central Asia's Golden Crescent, as well as African and South American countries. (Antaranews)