VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

West Kalimantan Governor Sutarmidji said his province would gain optimum benefits from President Joko Widodo's decision to relocate Indonesia's capital city from Jakarta to the island of Kalimantan.

The capital city relocation would accelerate development in the island, and by considering their geographical proximities, the provinces of West Kalimantan and East Kalimantan could be the most appropriate candidates, he said in Pontianak, West Kalimantan, on Sunday.

Sutarmidji said West Kalimantan's geographical position is closer to Jakarta while East Kalimantan is closer to the eastern parts of Indonesia.

However, due to its better infrastructure facilities, East Kalimantan has a great opportunity to be chosen as the location for the new capital city because it is perceived to be more ready than any other province, he said.

Apart from which province would be selected, West Kalimantan would gain optimum benefits from this capital city relocation owing to the existence of Kijing International Port, Governor Sutarmidji said.

He argued that the seaport could support the inflow and outflow of goods for the new capital city, he said.

Regarding this capital city relocation, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) had officially announced his decision in a state address that he delivered before members of parliament and VIP guests on Friday.

The new capital city would not only be a symbol and an identity of the country, but it would also represent the progress of the nation. Moving the capital city would also increase the equity and equality of the country's economic development, he said.

"This move is for 'Indonesia Maju' (Onward Indonesia) Vision. Long live Indonesia," he conveyed in his state address.

Jokowi, however, has yet to announce the definitive location of this Indonesia's new capital. In early August, Jokowi said he would inform it after all comprehensive studies on its relocation had been completed, and problems related to it had been resolved.

The National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) has pegged the total cost to move the state capital to reach nearly Rp466 trillion.

"Of the total cost of Rp466 trillion, the required state budget is only some Rp30.6 trillion," Brodjonegoro remarked on June 15, 2019. (ANTARA)

Governor of Jakarta  Anies Baswedan inaugurated a public cultural spot located at Dukuh Atas, Sudirman Boulevard, Central Jakarta.

"This is a cultural spot, the third space for expression of the Jakarta residents and for them to carry out activities," Governor Baswedan said in Jakarta on Sunday.

The cultural spot is the third space for Jakartans after their homes and offices so they could experience different things.

Jakarta residents and non-residents could get together in the spot for interaction without looking at their socio-economic status.

"This third space conveys a message of equality. People of whatever socio-economic level will feel comfortable here," the Jakarta Governor said.

The cultural spot is located at an area measuring 2,000 square meters, and has facilities such as skateboard area, viewing desk, and a mini tropical forest, as well as an area for musical and cultural performances, Hari Nugroho, head of the Jakarta Highway Office, said . (ANTARA)

Vice President M Jusuf Kalla attended a function to observe Constitution Day organized by the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) at the Parliament Building, Jakarta, on Sunday.

MPR Chairman Zulkifli Hasan in his remarks said that the country's constitution would continue to develop in accordance with challenges facing the national and state life.

Therefore, the understanding of the existing constitution must be in line with the changes, he said.

"The Constitution is a law that rules this country, not a law on how the state rules. The state's power must be restricted so the state administration is not arbitrary," Hasan said.

Constitution Day is observed on August 18 annually to commemorate the birth of Indonesia's 1945 Constitution (UUD 1945).

As part of the commemoration, MPR also organized a national seminar themed "Evaluation of the Implementation of the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia." (ANTARA)

The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a Public Discussion in the context of the launch of a book "Indonesian Presidency at the UN Security Council in May 2019", Friday (16/08) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jakarta. The public discussion was attended by a number of officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, relevant ministries/Institutions representatives, Ambassadors of member countries of the UN Security Council, representatives of think tanks and academics, as well as the media. The book is a document of public accountability as well as all aspects of the implementation of the Indonesian Presidency which contains official statements and a collection of photos of activities that have been held by Indonesia during UNSC Presidency.

At the opening of the discussion, the Director-General of Multilateral Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Febrian A. Ruddyard said that the Indonesian Presidency to the UN Security Council was a manifestation of Indonesian leadership at the international level.

"The Indonesian Presidency at the United Nations is basically a manifestation of Indonesia's leadership at the international level. As a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, Indonesia continues to try to make improvements and try to contribute to bring change within the Security Council," said Febrian A. Ruddyard.

On the same occasion, the Director-General of Multilateral Cooperation also expressed appreciation for the support of various stakeholders in the country during the Indonesian Presidency at the UNSC. In the future, it is hoped that there will be synergy and close cooperation to support Indonesia's membership in the UNSC. (VOI / RIZKY FIRDAUS / AHM)