VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) revealed that his new cabinet lineup will feature a blend of old hands and fresh faces, including professionals and millenials.

"Yes, there will be old and lots of new (ministers)," Jokowi remarked at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday.

President Jokowi noted that 55 percent of the ministerial positions will be filled in by professionals. Millenials below 30 years of age will also be included in the cabinet lineup.

However, Jokowi did not divulge details on the percentage of old and new ministers in his cabinet, affirming that he will announce his new cabinet lineup shortly after his presidential inauguration for the 2019-2024 term.

"It will be announced soon after the inauguration. There will be a new nomenclature of ministries," he remarked.

Jokowi has earlier held separate meetings with Democrat Party Chairman Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on October 10 and Great Indonesia Movement (Gerindra) Party Chairman Prabowo Subianto on October 11.

After meeting with Jokowi, Subianto had separately met with chairpersons of some parties, including Megawati Soekarnoputri from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, Surya Paloh of the National Democratic Party, Suharso Monoarfa from the United Development Party, Muhaimin Iskandar of the National Awakening Party, and Airlangga Hartarto from Golkar.(ANTARA)

Indonesia's women's doubles pair Febriana Dwipuji Kusuma/Amalia Cahaya Pratiwi advanced to the BWF World Junior Championship (WJC) 2019 in Kazan, Russia, on Sunday

The Indonesian duo moved to the finals after outclassing China's second seeded pair Li Yi Jing/Luo Xu Min in the semifinals 21-17, 23-21.in 52 minutes on Saturday

"Today we played with many drive shots. If we played with rallies our opponents would be pleased with them. For instance, we always hit the front balls with more pressure. We have studied their play and motion," Febriana was quoted as saying by the official website of the All Indonesia Badminton Association (PBSI)

"While competing (in the semifinals) we did not think of win or loss. What is important, we continued to struggle so we could play freely. We are pleased to move to the finals. We are moved by it," she said.

Febriana/Amalia, Indonesia's third-seeded duo will play against China's fourth-seeded pair China Lin Fang Ling/Zhou Xin Ru in the finals on Sunday .

"Actually, we must be ready to play with anybody. If we meet Chinese pair their play is more or less the same as that of our opponents today. We played with many drive shots. In essence,. we must be more prepared than they (Lin/Zhou) are," she said. (ANTARA)

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has pinned high hopes on the fully operational Palapa Ring projects boosting trade and bureaucracy in addition to enhancing public services.

"After we can connect it, market places in regions can also be connected to the national and global marketplaces. This will also boost our industry to increase its competitiveness," Jokowi stated at the inauguration of operations of the Palapa Ring at the State Palace in Jakarta, on Monday.

The president has appealed to local administrations to derive benefits from the Palapa Ring to realize greater effectiveness and efficiency in public services.

He also appealed to the public to become smart internet users and restrain from spreading hoaxes and slander.

"We must bear in mind that the fast growth of digital technology and connectivity should not be misused to spread hate speech or to share slander, hoaxes, and fake news. This must be restrained," Jokowi emphasized.

The head of state believes that Palapa Ring will offer equitable access to technology to all Indonesians.


Palapa Ring is one of the government's priority infrastructure projects comprising a 36 thousand-kilometer (km)-long fiber optic cable network aimed at providing access to 4G services across the archipelago by 2019.

The Palapa Ring encircles Indonesia's seven island groupings of Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan, Nusa Tenggara, Sulawesi, Maluku, and Papua and incorporates eight connecting networks.

The eastern section of the Palapa Ring is constructed along 4,450 km, comprising 3,850 km of sub marine cable and 600 km of land cable, with 15 landing points in 21 cities and districts. The eastern section covers East Nusa Tenggara, Maluku, West Papua, and Papua.

The western section of the Palapa Ring covers Riau, Riau Islands, and Natuna, while the central section spans Kalimantan, Sulawesi, North Maluku, and Sangihe-Talaud Islands. (ANTARA)

The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) will hold a fundraiser to help victims of the Maluku earthquake during the commemoration of Disaster Risk Reduction Month (PRB) in Pangkalpinang, Bangka Belitung’s provincial capital, on Sunday night.

"The quakes in Maluka have shown no signs of abating. Of course, the local people must be traumatized by the vibration of the natural disaster," BNPB Head Lt Gen. Doni Monardo stated in Pangkalpinang, Bangka Belitung, on Sunday.

Monardo is optimistic that participants of the Disaster Risk Reduction Month would help assuage the financial burden of the Ambon quake victims.

"I hope that the participants of PRB, who will return to their hometowns this afternoon or this evening, will set aside a sum of money to help alleviate the financial burden of the Maluku quake victims," he remarked.

"Let us show that Indonesia has a high spirit of mutual help to assist our brothers, who fall victim to the natural disaster," he noted.

Ambon, the capital of Maluku Province, had borne the brunt of a 6.5-magnitude quake on Sept. 26. The epicenter of the quake was located 40 kilometers (km) northeast of Ambon, at a depth of 10 km below sea level.

At least 36 people were killed, while tens of others suffered injuries owing to the Sept-26 quake.

The quake also destroyed 6,184 houses in Maluku Tengah District. (ANTARA)