VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

During the observance of Youth Pledge Day on October 28, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) appealed to Indonesian youngsters to partake in developing the nation.

"I invite young people to work hand-in-hand to move Indonesia now and in the future," the president noted on his Twitter account @jokowi on Monday.

He pointed out that the spirit of Youth Pledge has continued to echo until now, adding that the country's youngsters must continue in the path to advancing the nation and country.

"Some 91 years have passed, but the pledge of Indonesian youth, who had come from all over Nusantara (the Archipelago) and gathered on October 28, 1928, continues to echo until today," Jokowi stated.

Youth Pledge is a significant milestone in the history of the Indonesian independence movement. This pledge is regarded as the manifestation of the spirit to affirm the ideals of the founding of the state of Indonesia.

The oath was made during the Second Youth Congress held in Jakarta on Oct 27-28, 1928.

The pledge features three main points, with the first being: We, the sons and daughters of Indonesia, acknowledge one motherland, Indonesia, while the second pledge is We, the sons and daughters of Indonesia, acknowledge one nation, the nation of Indonesia.

According to the third point of the pledge, we, the sons and daughters of Indonesia, respect the language of unity, Indonesian language (Bahasa Indonesia).

Youth Pledge is viewed as a foundation for the establishment of an independent and sovereign Indonesian nation proclaimed on August 17, 1945, after being colonized by the Dutch for some 350 years and by Japan for nearly 3.5 years.  (ANTARA)

President Joko Widodo accompanied by Vice President Ma'ruf Amin announced the composition of his new cabinet on the veranda steps of the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, Wednesday morning. The announcement was made after the President for two consecutive days called one by one the figures he had chosen as a candidate for minister. At the end of the announcement, President Joko Widodo reminded his ministers to work seriously and avoid corruption.

"The cabinet which I have just announced, first, don't be corrupt. Creating a system that closes the gaps of corruption. Secondly, there is no vision and mission of the minister. What exists is the vision and mission of the President and Vice President. Third, we all have to work fast, work hard and work productively. Fourth, don't get stuck in a monotonous routine. The fifth, tangible results-oriented work. The sixth, always checking for problems in the field and find a solution. Finally, everything must be serious in working, said Joko Widodo.

The President names his new Cabinet the Indonesia Onward Cabinet. There are 4 Coordinating Ministers and 30 Ministers, plus the Attorney General, Cabinet Secretary, Presidential Chief of Staff and Head of the Capital Management Coordinating Board who will assist the president in the next five years. (VOI / RINI / AHM)

General Chair of the Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) Executive Board, KH Said Aqil Siradj in his meeting with the US Ambassador to Indonesia Joseph Donovan at the PBNU office, Jakarta on Monday, said NU was always ready to be a peacemaker in the Afghan conflict. Said Aqil admitted that during his tenure as PBNU chairman, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) had tried four times to reconcile the Afghan conflict, although it had not been successful.

“I am ready to be a peacemaker, NU is always ready to be a peacemaker, wherever it is, Afghanistan, we have been four times, in Thailand (with) Hasyim Muzadi, the Bangkok government with Patani. NU has tried 4 times to reconcile the conflict in Afghanistan, although it has not been successful until now, and so has the Uighurs or Myanmar,” said Said Aqil Siradj.

Meanwhile the US Ambassador Joseph Donovan said, in his visit to PBNU also discussed how to improve education, including how the United States could help Nahdlatul Ulama Universities and Colleges to be able to build relationships with universities in the United States. (VOI/Yollen/AHM)

The Chief of the Greater Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra) Prabowo Subianto arrived at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, on Monday (10/21/2019) afternoon. Prabowo was accompanied by Deputy Chairman of Gerindra Party, Edhy Prabowo. Prabowo Subianto came to meet President Joko Widodo's call in the process of selecting a new cabinet ministerial candidate who will assist President Joko Widodo and Vice President Maruf Amin for 2019-2024 periods. To reporters, Prabowo said that he was asked by President Joko Widodo to join the ministry's cabinet for the next 5 years. Prabowo was offered a position as Minister of Defense by President Jokowi. In response to the request, Prabowo Subianto said that he was ready to assist President Joko Widodo in the cabinet.

“Our decision from the Gerindra party if requested we are ready to help. Today I was officially requested and we have been able to help. I am allowed to state that President Jokowi asked me to help him in the defense sector. Earlier he gave some direction. I will work seriously to achieve the goals and expectations set,” said Prabowo Subianto.

Meanwhile related to the minister's offer for Gerindra Deputy Chairperson Edhy Prabowo, Prabowo Subianto said that he let President Joko Widodo announce it personally. (VOI/Ndy/AHM)