VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan affirmed that while implementation of the Formula E championship will cost US$24.1 million, or Rp343 billion, it is expected to proffer tangible effect worth trillions of rupiah.

The cost was lower that those of the F1 and World Cup, Baswedan noted Jakarta on Wednesday.

"I give you a list, the cost for MotoGP is US$79 million; F1, US$29.4 million; and Formula E, US$24.1 million," the governor stated, adding that Russia had spent $11.6 billion for the implementation of the World Cup.

Funds for the implementation of Formula E will be allocated in the Jakarta Regional Budget, he stated.

Jakarta will host Formula E race in 2020. The study of the implementation of the championship has been completed, and the governor is optimistic of it being approved by the Regional Legislative Council of Jakarta (DPRD).

Formula E is a class of motorsport that uses only electric-powered cars. The series was conceived in 2011, and the inaugural championship commenced in Beijing in September 2014.

Alejandro Agag is the founder and current chairman of Formula E Holdings (ANTARA)

Indonesian Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Dr. Sujatmiko said he was grateful that Indonesian prominent preacher Ustadz Abdul Somad Batubara, Lc. was present to give a sermon before thousands of worshippers during the Eid Al-Adha prayers procession held in Bandar Seri Begawan, on Sunday morning (Aug 11) or 10 Zulhijjah 1440 Hijrah in the Arabic calendar. The ambassador also reiterated the hope that the Indonesian community would work in earnest, maintain the good name of Indonesia, and ascertain that their passports and visas to avoid consular inconveniences, according to a statement from Indonesian Embassy in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, Monday.

In the Eid al-Adha Khutbah, Ustadz Abdul Somad delivered three main messages, namely that we should be dutiful to our parents, that we again make a sacrifice on Eid Al-Adha day, and that we maintain the bonds of brotherhood with our fellow beings.

The Ustadz also reminded parents to nurture their children as they are the future of the nation and state. Ustadz Abdul Somad also appealed to the jamaat not to vent their anger and be forgiving to their fellow beings so that they can return to their original state of purity when they were born.

The prayer, which was performed at the Embassy compound, was led by Ustadz Sholeh and was attended by more than 1,600 Indonesian Muslims.

The Indonesian community in Bandar Seri Begawan enthusiastically welcomed Ustadz Abdul Somad by coming in great numbers to the embassy.

The tabligh akbar and the Eid al-Adha observances are organized by the embassy to help foster greater harmony among the Indonesian community residing in Brunei Darussalam.

The two-day visit of Ustadz Abdul Somad, Lc. M.A. from Jakarta is the result of a collaboration between the embassy and Dompet Dhuafa, a non-profit Indonesian organization that empowers the people in the health, education, economic, and social development sectors.

The celebrations concluded with a feast featuring Indonesian cuisine that the jamaat enjoyed courtesy of the embassy and the Indonesian community.

The visit of Ustadz Abdul Somad was also used to promote friendship with the Brunei Muslim community. He delivered a sermon before thousands of Bruneians at the Rashidah Sa'adatul Bolkiah Mosque in Bandar Seri Begawan before his return to Indonesia the same day. (INE)

In tourism sector, Indonesian Diaspora in the world is a strategic partner of the government. They want to develop Indonesia and want to do anything for the development of the tourism sector in Indonesia. It was stated by Mark Gerald Eman, President of Indonesian Diaspora Network-Global (IDN-Global) at the 5th Congress of the Indonesian Diaspora and Tourism Sectoral Session at the Ministry of Tourism, Jakarta, Tuesday (13/8). Gerald Eman added that the synergy between the diaspora and the Ministry of Tourism will further develop Indonesian tourism.

"Diaspora throughout the world is a strategic partner for the government. We want to build Indonesia, we want to face difficulty and pain. Whatever we do is indeed from the deep of our sincere heart and we are committed to developing Indonesia so that our tourism will become more successful and greater," said Gerald..

Furthermore Mark Gerald Eman said that the key to the success and progress of Indonesian tourism is the synergy between the Indonesian diaspora and the Ministry of Tourism. Gerald said that diaspora throughout the world can introduce Indonesia, and that can be proven through various activities they make in their respective countries. He gave an example of what the United States diaspora did in promoting Indonesian tourism and culinary, namely by opening an Indonesia restaurant called Wonderful Indonesia. (VOI / ACT INS / AHM)