VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

President Joko Widodo delivered a State Address in connection with the 74th Independence Day on Friday at the Indonesian Parliament Building, Jakarta. In his speech, President Joko Widodo conveyed Indonesia's readiness at the age of 74 to face the era of global openness. However, according to him, the readiness is accompanied by vigilance, both against foreign ideologies that threaten the state ideology as well as against foreign cultures that are not in line with local wisdom. In addition, President Joko Widodo also stated Indonesia's readiness in facing global competition, world competition that will be faced with the creativity, innovation and speed of the Indonesian nation.

"Indonesia is not afraid of competition. We face competition with the creativity, innovation, and the pace we have. Because there is no other choice, we must change. The old ways that are not competitive cannot be continued. New strategies must be created. New ways must be done. We don’t just say that we are better than before. But we must be better than the others. Once again, it is not enough to be better than before. But we must be better than the others," said Joko Widodo.

Furthermore, in his second speech before the House of Representatives (DPR), People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) and Regional Representative Council (DPD) Session, President Joko Widodo, who was wearing Sasak traditional outfit from West Nusa Tenggara Province, conveyed the importance of encouraging investment into Indonesia. In the midst of global competition where the whole world is fighting over market and investment influences, President Joko Widodo also underlined the importance of investment to create jobs that will benefit the nation.

"In a tight global competition fighting over the influence of the market scrambling for investment. We have to be faster and better than other countries. We must be faster and better than neighboring countries. Investment must open new jobs, must benefit our nation," said President.

To be able to reach all of that, President Joko Widodo encouraged all parties to move quickly, not just stepping up but jumping, to seize all the available opportunities. (VOI/NDY/AHM)

The People's Consultative Assembly of the Republic of Indonesia recommends the need for a national development planning system in the form of the State Policy Guidelines (GBHN) through a limited amendment of the 1945 Constitution of The Republic of Indonesia. This was said by the Chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly Zulkifli Hasan in a joint annual session of the People's Consultative Assembly, the People's Representative Council and the Regional Representative Council in the Parliament building, Jakarta, Friday, August 16, 2019.

“One of the recommendations which we gain from the collective agreement is the need for a national development planning with a State Policy Guidelines (GBHN) model, through limited amendment, once again through limited amendment, according to the 1945 Constitution of The Republic of Indonesia. The main reason is because Indonesia as a wide country, needs a policy as a guidelines to enable it in implementing its sustainable development,” said Chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly Zulkifli Hasan in a joint annual session in the Parliament building, Jakarta, Friday, August 16, 2019

Zulkifli added national development planning is arranged democratically, based on people's sovereignty and in accordance with applicable law. According to the National Mandate Party politician, the State Policy Guidelines (GBHN) will be the guideline for all State institutions in working for the national progress. According to Zulkifli, these recommendations are the results of the People’s Consulttaive Assembly (MPR)’s study and discussion involving experts, academics and community leaders. (VOI/BRG/AHM)

Acting Ambassador of India to Indonesia Shri Prakash Gupta said this year was a special year for India, because besides celebrating 73 years of independence, India also celebrates 70 years of diplomatic relations with Indonesia. To the media after leading the flag ceremony of 73rd Indian Independence Day at the Indian Embassy in Jakarta on Thursday (08/15), Gupta said, the focus of India and Indonesia relations this year was to improve the trade sector and people-to-people connectivity, deepening political exchanges between the top leaders of the two countries and improving relations in the fields of science and technology.

"So ​​there are few areas that we are focusing on. One is boosting bilateral trade. Second is improving people-to-people connectivity. We are having a very big tourism event at the Pacific Place on the 30th. We are also looking at deepening political exchanges between the highest levels of leadership We are also looking at deepening cooperation in space, science and technology We are partnered with Lapan (National Space Institute) So that's also important areas we are looking at deepening in our 70th anniversary," said Shri Prakash Gupta .

On the occasion Shri Prakash Gupta also expressed his wish to Indonesian people on the celebratation the 74th independence day and hoped that peace and security in the region would be achieved in the momentum of Indonesia's independence day on 17 August. (VOI/AHM)

Singapore and Indonesia have had close relations even since the beginning of the 14th century when Singapore was still called Temasek. This was stated by Singapore's Ambassador to Indonesia, Anil Kumar Nayar at the 54th Singapore National Day Commemoration in Jakarta on Wednesday (14/08). Anil Kumar added, currently the two countries have made progress both as neighbors and partners, at all levels, between governments, the business world and its people.

“We have a strong and growing trade and investment relationship. Our joint projects, including Kendal Industrial Park in Central Java and Nongsa Digital Park in Batam, are going well and helping to create new jobs for Indonesians and Singaporeans,” said Anil Kumar. 

Anil Kumar added, Singapore and Indonesia also collaborated in the field of vocational training, skills upgrading and industry 4.0. to prepare the human resources of the two countries in facing the future economy. As fellow ASEAN members, Singapore and Indonesia also have a common interest in ensuring peace, prosperity and stability in the region. Nayar said that Singapore would be the next host of the Singapore-Indonesia Leader's Retreat between Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and President Jokowi in October. (VOI/Rizky/AHM)