VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Indonesian government should increase promotion of the Sail Nias 2019 international maritime event to boost the island’s status as an international tourist destination, Indonesian Marine Scholars' Association (Iskindo) executive chairman Moh Abdi Suhufan stated.

"Promotion and publication are quite limited, while the peak event is drawing closer," he noted in Jakarta on Monday.
Various activities organized as part of Sail Nias 2019 must be publicized, he remarked.

Nias Island has surfing and diving spots viewed as one of the best in the world, and its coral reef is also well-preserved.

According to the coordinating maritime affairs minister’s office, Sail Nias is expected to help promote the island as a surfing heaven for international visitors.

"This should be popularized," Safri Burhanuddin, deputy in charge of coordination of human resources, science and technology and maritime culture of the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs, stated Jakarata on Sunday.

He pointed to the fact that Sumatra Island, including Nias, with scenic beaches, had yet to be well-known among people at large.

"We want to boost growth of maritime tourism in this region, portraying it as a heaven for surfers worldwide. The government has also designated Nias as a venue for world surfing leagues," he added.

Nias Island, located in North Sumatra Province and often viewed as the best kept secret of Indonesians, is being unveiled to the world at the international maritime event being organized from July until September 2019. The peak event of Sail Nias, the 11th series of Sail Indonesia, will be opened at a ceremony in Teluk Dalam (Bay), South Nias, on September 14, 2019.

Sail Indonesia is being held as part of the plans to expedite the development of underdeveloped regions in Indonesia.

At least 18 activities are organized during the event, including the Wonderful Nias Expo 2019, an international surfing contest, a battleship parade, Nias Marathon, a culinary bazaar, and traditional art and cultural performances.

Other activities include Wind Surfing and Sailing Contests, Free Diving Competition, Stone Jump Festival, Traditional Fishing Boat Parade, Coffee Festival, Fishing Tournament, Wonderful Tourism Photo Expo, One Thousand Tents Festival, and the Mt Sitori cultural seminar.

Sail Nias is themed "Nias Toward the Gate of World Marine Tourism Destination." (ANTARA)

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) led a plenary cabinet meeting to discuss the draft 2020 state budget and its financial notes at the State Palace in Jakarta on Monday.

The plenary cabinet meeting took place before the head of state delivers the draft 2020 state budget and its financial notes to the House of Representatives (DPR) normally on August 16, a day before the nation celebrates its independence.

Vice President M. Jusuf Kalla was also present at the meeting.

At a limited cabinet meeting held at the Presidential Office in Jakarta on July 15, 2019, President Jokowi gave directives to draw up the indicative ceiling of the draft 2020 state budget.

"We keep it sound and responsive to strengthen the competitive edge and boost economic growth," he explained.

The president highlighted four aspects to draw up the indicative ceiling of the draft 2020 state budget.

"Firstly, as I have stated, the 2020 state budget prioritizes the promotion of human resources through education, healthcare, training, and so on," he stated.


Secondly, five percent of the state budget allocated to the health sector will be able to improve the quality of health across the country, and more importantly, eradicate cases of stunting and malnutrition, and promote the health and safety of pregnant women as well as the immunization program.

Thirdly, the development of infrastructure must be focused, followed by the development of production centers in special economic zones, tourist resorts, and small industrial estates.

Fourthly, the draft 2020 state budget must be able to reduce the poverty rate. "The poverty control program (PKH), village fund, and subsidized basic necessities must reach those really entitled to them, and so also capital assistance for micro, small, and medium entrepreneurs," he remarked.

Speaking in connection with the personnel budget, the president reiterated that all must be related to bureaucratic reforms, both at the central and regional levels.

"Utilize the budget fund as efficiently as possible, reduce unproductive budget, and ensure that everything will meet target," he added. (ANTARA)

The Indonesian economy expanded 5.05 percent in the second quarter (Q2) of 2019, indicating a downward trend owing to continued export contraction and slow investment growth, the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) stated.

The figure decreased, from 5.27 percent during the same period last year and from 5.07 percent in the first quarter of 2019.

The contribution of exports to the national growth is yet under pressure owing to a shortfall in the volume and prices of export commodities in the global market and economic downturn in several trade partners, BPS Chief Suhariyanto remarked at a press briefing in Jakarta on Monday.

Exports were recorded at minus 1.81 percent in Q2 of 2019, decreasing from 7.65 percent during the same quarter last year. However, export growth in Q2 of 2019 rose from minus 1.87 percent in Q2 of 2019.

"Both the volume and prices of oil and gas commodities declined. Meanwhile, non-oil/non-gas exports still grew positively," he stated.

Oil and gas exports in Q2 of 2019 plunged to minus 30.45 percent, well below minus 9.33 percent as compared to the first quarter. In Q2 of 2018, exports could yet grow positively at 4.81 percent.

In the meantime, non-oil/non-gas exports grew 2.17 percent after contracting 0.65 percent in the first quarter of 2019. Nevertheless, non-oil/non-gas exports grew at a slow pace than 8.51 percent during Q2 of 2018. Service exports were up 0.27 percent (yoy).

Overall, investment in Q2 of 2019 rose 5.01 percent, lower than 5.03 percent in the previous quarter, or well below 5.85 percent in the same quarter last year.

"Only investment in buildings in the second quarter of 2019 is better than that in the corresponding period of 2018, growing 5.4 percent than 5.02 percent, while machinery equipment, vehicle, and other equipment as well as intellectual property products continued to grow, albeit at a slow pace," he pointed out.

Household and government consumption contributed 2.77 percent to the national economic growth. Household consumption grew 5.17 percent, while government consumption rose 8.23 percent in Q2 of 2019. (ANTARA)

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) met with state-owned electricity firm PT PLN's board of directors, Monday, to discuss efforts to recover power supply following a major blackout in Jakarta, West Java, and Banten on Aug 4.

"In a big company, such as PLN, I think a risk management system must be in place. Of course, there are contingency plans, back up plans," Jokowi remarked during the meeting held at PLN's office in Jakarta.

The president delved at depth to unearth the reason behind the company's failure to run its risk management system.

At the meeting, the president was accompanied by Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Ignasius Jonan, Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi, and Communication and Informatics Minister Rudiantara.

Also present at the meeting were Acting President Director of PLN Sripeni Inten Cahyani, some regional directors, and its board of commissioners.

The blackout that affected thousands of homes and public facilities in West Java, Jakarta, and Banten was caused by several issues in the 500 kV extra high voltage transmission in Ungaran and Pemalang.

PT PLN has gradually recovered the power supply and tendered an apology for the inconvenience and will conduct evaluation to prevent recurrence of such incident, Acting President Director of PLN Sripeni Inten Cahyani remarked at a press conference on Sunday. (ANTARA)