VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOINews, Jakarta - Emperor of Japan Hironomiya Naruhito visited Borobudur Temple in Magelang District, Central Java, on Thursday.

During his visit, Emperor Naruhito was accompanied by Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo, who said that the emperor enthusiastically listened to the explanation on the temple provided by a tour guide.

"He even took selfies," he remarked.

The governor stated that the emperor's seven-day visit to Indonesia serves as proof of the harmonious relations fostered between Japan and Indonesia.

"This cooperation yields important things, be it in diplomatic, political, and economic terms. We can make the most of this good relationship," he pointed out.

Meanwhile, Educator Staff of Museum and Cultural Heritage Mura Aristina, after guiding Emperor Naruhito on his visit, said that the emperor went up only to the ninth floor of the temple, as the 10th floor is dedicated for worship purposes.

"We told (the emperor) that the top floor, or the 10th floor, is specifically used for worship. He fully understood and respected it," Aristina noted.

Hence, the emperor went up only to the ninth floor of the temple and spent approximately half an hour there while listening to Aristina's explanation on the reason why Borobudur Temple was built on a hill area close to rivers.

"There is a confluence of the Elo and Progo rivers not far from here. The stones from the rivers were brought here and used to build the temple," he explained.

He said the emperor, with his cell phone camera, took pictures of several temple reliefs.

Apart from Governor Pranowo, the Japanese emperor was also welcomed by President Director of PT Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur and Ratu Boko Febrina Intan as well as sub-coordinator of Borobudur World Heritage Wiwit Kasiati. (Antaranews)

VOINews, Jakarta - Indonesia's National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) stated that it had conducted a review on the national strategy road map related to the long-term use of hydrogen until 2060.

The BRIN identified the need for hydrogen until 2060, main expert researcher at BRIN's Energy Conversion and Conservation Research Center Eniya Listiani Dewi stated here Wednesday.

This road map underlines the need for an ecosystem that supports the implementation of hydrogen use in Indonesia, she noted during the Indonesia International Hydrogen Summit 2023.

She said the road map contains an explanation on the course for hydrogen utilization divided into three segments: pilot project or demo plant segment, introduction to market and market penetration development, and impact to economic value added.

According to Dewi, Indonesia's economy in the future will be supported not only by oil but also hydrogen, as this commodity can be used in various sectors.

These sectors range from the power plant sector to industries, especially the petrochemical industry, housing, and transportation.

The BRIN encourages the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources to create a national hydrogen strategy that encompasses not only the potential but also production chain, distribution, and usage in Indonesia.

This is done, so that the private sector no longer doubts the government's commitment to hydrogen utilization.

Some 20 projects from industries already implement the pre-feasibility study on hydrogen technology in Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Java, Sumba, East Nusa Tenggara, and Papua, Dewi remarked.

However, when a feasibility study is conducted, the private sector will seek a road map or a commitment. This is what the government must work on, she affirmed.

Dewi acknowledged that realizing the use of hydrogen energy takes time. It requires commitment from the government along with the existence of a road map, regulations, and clear standards, including an incentive mechanism.

The utilization of hydrogen has to start with the production of green hydrogen by the industry sector, though it still can only be done on a small scale due to the high price.

Dewi believes that the price will start to decline in 2030, but Indonesia cannot wait to start utilizing hydrogen until 2030, as the country may lag behind by then.  (Antaranews)

VOINews, Jakarta - United Nations expert Thomas Andrews on Wednesday expressed concern over ASEAN continuing to invite the Myanmar junta to the bloc's formal meetings despite mounting attacks against civilians in the conflict-ridden nation.

Speaking at a press conference in Jakarta, Andrews said that he is most concerned by Myanmar's continued participation in formal ASEAN defense meetings.

He pointed out that ASEAN has appointed General Tun Aung, the commander-in-chief of Myanmar's Air Force, as the chairperson of the 2023 ASEAN Air Chiefs' Conference.

Tun Aung is said to be responsible for airstrikes carried out on Myanmar villages by fighter jets.

The general has also been sanctioned by the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the European Union.

Last month, the junta's commander-in-chief of the Navy, Moe Aung, was assigned the leadership of the 2024 ASEAN Navy Chiefs' Meeting, Andrews added.

The junta has also continued to co-chair the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM Plus) Experts' Working Group on Counter Terrorism with Russia, and Indonesia has been participating in those meetings.

"These types of actions not only undermine the credibility of ASEAN but also serve to legitimize the junta and prolong the suffering of the Myanmar people," he said.

Meanwhile, ASEAN has defended its decision by saying that the meetings were merely technical and not in breach of the prohibition on Myanmar's political-level participation in its meetings, he added.

"This is not acceptable. The junta should not be invited to attend any ASEAN meeting," Andrews said.

He urged Indonesia to show its leadership, along with other ASEAN member states, and not attend any meetings to which the junta has been invited.

Since the coup on February 1, 2021, the junta, led by General Min Aung Hlaing, has perpetrated violence against the people of Myanmar.

According to a UN report, the junta’s troops have killed more than 3 thousand civilians, detained more than 19 thousand people, and have caused at least 1.5 million people to abandon their homes, with more than 58 thousand houses, schools, and clinics burned to the ground. (Antaranews)

VOInews, Jakarta: Indonesia, represented by the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), signed a cooperation agreement with the International Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) on Tuesday (20/6). The agreement was signed by BMKG Head Dwikorita Karnawati and CTBTO Executive Secretary Robert Floyd.

The agreement contains cooperation to encourage capacity building and the participation of Indonesian seismic station experts and operators in various training programs, workshops, and CTBTO meetings. The agreement also includes research cooperation and expansion of internship opportunities for Indonesian experts, staff and students at the international organization headquartered in Vienna, Austria.

"This agreement will certainly further strengthen cooperation between BMKG and CTBTO, especially in increasing the capacity of reliable and professional human resources, and encouraging CTBTO's cooperation and technical assistance for Indonesia," said Deputy Indonesian Ambassador in Vienna A. Alfiano Tamala, who witnessed the signing of the MoU, in an official statement from the Indonesian Embassy in Vienna received by Indonesia Window here on Thursday (22/6).

For the record, Indonesia has stations certified by CTBTO with the ability to record data that can show nuclear test attempts that will be processed at the International Data Center at CTBTO headquarters in Vienna, Austria. Indonesia itself has six seismic support monitoring facilities in Sorong, Jayapura, Baumata, Kappang, Parapat and Lembang.

On a separate occasion, Head of BMKG Dwikorita Karnawati has also become one of the key speakers at the High Level Panel Discussion at the Science and Technology Conference (SnT2023) meeting organized by CTBTO at Hofburg Palace, Vienna, Austria. On that occasion, Dwikorita conveyed the role of the CTBTO international organization and the use of cooperation with Indonesia in the implementation of national programs, including early warning systems and disaster risk reduction.

The SnT2023 meeting took place on June 19-23, 2023 and was attended by more than 700 participants from various stakeholders who participated online and offline. In 2023 and 2024 Indonesia will also host several CTBTO regional trainings and meetings.

The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) is an international treaty governing the prohibition of nuclear weapons test explosions. Through the CTBTO, the Government of Indonesia demonstrates its commitment to promote the entry into force and universalization of the CTBT to achieve the goal of stopping nuclear testing and eliminating nuclear weapons. (VOI/Andy)