VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno L. P. Marsudi, at the UN Security Council meeting to discuss the situation in the Middle East, presented and explained in detail three vital measures for dealing with the Palestinians' problems. 

The UN Security Council meeting, chaired by Marsudi, was held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, the United States, on Wednesday (May 20), according to the Foreign Affairs Ministry's written statement received in Jakarta on Thursday.

The meeting to deliberate on the Middle East situation was led by the Indonesian foreign minister in Indonesia's capacity as the UNSC president for May 2019, and all members of the Security Council were in attendance.

The meeting was held to get the latest updates on the current situation in the Middle East, including the issue of Palestine, Syria, and Yemen. Through a video conference, recent developments in the Middle East were delivered by the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO) Nickolay Mladenov and Commissioner General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) Pierre Krhenbhl.

At the meeting, the Indonesian foreign minister highlighted the need to adopt three key measures in a bid to solve the problems faced by the Palestinian government and people.

Firstly, the Indonesian government laid emphasis on the importance of providing protection to Palestinian civilians. Minister Marsudi cited the independent commission's report earlier this year indicating human rights violations by the occupying power, including violence against the media and health workers in Palestine. To this end, Marsudi reiterated the importance of offering international protection to Palestinian civil society.

Under the second measure, the Indonesian government also focused on the necessity to take concrete steps to tackle the humanitarian crisis in Palestine.

Minister Marsudi affirmed that the efforts to bring about an improvement in the economic and social conditions of the Palestinian society is one of the key measures to be adopted. She lauded the UNWRA for its various programs implemented to improve the lives of the Palestinian people. Marsudi further echoed Indonesia's readiness to continue to support UNRWA's endeavors.

Finally, the Indonesian government has pushed for restarting the peace process between Israel and Palestine without further delay. Hence, it is necessary to promptly establish a credible peace process that guarantees equality for all parties in peace negotiations.

"The new perspective in the peace process does not mean overlooking the prevailing global parameters. For Indonesia, there is no other alternative than the two-state solution," Marsudi stated.

In addition to the Palestinian issue, the Indonesian foreign minister emphasized that the security condition in the Middle East will impact the global security situation. Hence, the UN Security Council should ensure concrete progress.

The meeting, led by the Indonesian foreign minister, demonstrates Indonesia's commitment to the peace process in the Middle East, particularly the issue of peace in Palestine. During its membership in the Security Council, Indonesia has consistently voiced the struggle of the Palestinian people as one of the priority issues.  (ANTARA)

Transportation Minister Budi Karya has said that the Eid al-Fitr exodus this year must run smoothly and remain safe.

"In accordance with the directives of President Joko Widodo, this year's Eid al-Fitr exodus must be carried out smoothly and safely. There should be no problems encountered by travelers. Moreover, our exodus theme is 'Eid al-Fitr exodus together, fun and smooth'," Budi Karya said in Bandarlampung on Thursday.

The minister attended a coordinating meeting on the 2019 Eid al-Fitr travel period in Lampung on Thursday to discuss preparations for assisting homebound travelers at Bakauheni Seaport, toll roads, trains and airports in Lampung.

The ministry offers free travel in Merak and Bakauheni seaports by ferry and naval ship to assist travelers crossing the sea between Java Island and Sumatra Island from Merak Seaport in Banten Province (Java) and Bakauheni Seaport in Lampung Province, Sumatra Island.

During the meeting, Governor of Lampung M Ridho Ficardo expressed his gratitude to the Transportation Minister for attending the meeting.

"I am very grateful that this year travelers can use the Bakauheni-Terbanggi Besar toll road, up to the Simpang Pematang toll road," he said.

Indonesian Muslims, constituting over 85 percent of the country's 260 million population, will celebrate Eid al-Fitr Islamic Holiday on June 5-6, 2019, following the Ramadan fasting month.

Most Indonesian Muslims follow the tradition of celebrating Eid al-Fitr Holiday in their hometowns with their families.

As a result, there is an exodus of travelers, particularly from cities to villages, during this time of year. (ANTARA)

The Indonesian Ministry of Tourism presents border tourism and hot deal programs to attract foreign tourist visits. Speaking after the Launching of Pesona Mudik program on Tuesday, May 21, 2019 at the Ministry of Tourism, Jakarta, Tourism Minister Arif Yahya said the program is able to generate 17.6 billion Rupiah in foreign exchange.

"So the projection is how many there will be 18 million and that is relatively good at 90 percent of the total target. And the foreign exchange has been calculated to be approximately 17.6 billion. Whatever is done which is now being intensively done is the border tourism and hot deal. It turned out that we are selling the hot deal in a big discount during low season. So people especially visit Riau Islands one day and one night for only 75 dollars and with a price of less than 100 dollars. It is very easy to sell it. Last year we sold 700 thousand pax, this year we are targeting one million but the short answer is now we use the hot deal program," said Minister Arief Yahya.

Minister Arif Yahya added, to keep the destination busy on all routes in Java when there are toll roads, rest areas which will be filled with 70 to 80 percent by small and medium enterprises will be built. Meanwhile the Ministry of Tourism also appealed to the Low Cost Carrier not to use the upper limit tariff so that airplane tickets to Indonesia are cheaper. (VOI/NK/AHM)

The Directorate General of Culture of the Ministry of Education and Culture in collaboration with the Board of Management of the Istiqlal Mosque is holding a Cultural Iftar. In a press conference at the Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta, Tuesday (21/05), the Director of Heritage and Cultural Diplomacy of the Ministry of Education and Culture, Nadjamuddin Ramly said that the purpose of Iftar Culture is to introduce more cultural values ​​and Islamic history in Indonesia.

"In order to have information, there is added value, there are additional insights, so the insight values ​​are there, from those who will stop by to see the exhibitions, that's a learning. Especially if there are school children coming, then the millennial children who don't know about Islamic history, can later be informed through the exhibitions," said Nadjamuddin Ramly.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Board of Management of the Istiqlal Mosque Asep Saepudin was very grateful for the holding of Cultural Iftar activities at the Istiqlal Mosque because it can build a religious culture that is based on the values ​​of togetherness, security and tolerance. In addition to the exhibition of Islamic history, Cultural Iftar held at the Istiqlal Mosque from Wednesday (05/22) until Sunday (26/05) is highlighted with breaking fast together, cultural dialogue, performances of Islamic arts and culture and film screenings. (VOI / AHM)