VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Indonesian Consulate in Vanimo, Papua New Guinea, on Tuesday (3/26) handed over Gusta Adolof Puhiri alias Luki Gusta, a former prisoner who had just finished serving his sentence in Vanimo prison, to his family.

The surrender of the Indonesian citizen from Jayapura was carried out through the Papua Provincial Border and Foreign Cooperation Bureau witnessed by Gusta's parents.

Indonesian Consul at Vanimo, PNG Abraham Lebelauw, told Antara that Gusta had previously served an 18-month prison sentence for illegally entering the PNG area.

He (Gusta) was actually set free since Saturday (3/23) but because PLBN Skouw was off and had to take care of administration work, he was handed over only on Tuesday (3/26).

In Vanimo Prison, PNG, there is still an Indonesian citizen currently serving a sentence for a different case, namely Mrs.Yopie Taniau, said Abe, Abraham's nickname, adding that Taniau was sentenced to two years in prison since March 7, 2018, for carrying drugs.

"At present, there is still one Indonesian citizen who is serving a sentence in Vanimo prison, PNG," Lebelauw said. (ANTARA)

Indonesian citizens who have been listed as eligible voters achieving 2 million 58 thousands one hundred and ninety one (2,058,191) voters in 130 countries. Malaysia is a country with the most Indonesian voters in foreign countries. Foreign Election Committee ( PPLN) – Kuching, Malaysia are optimistic that voters who participate in General elections 2019 will achieve more than 70 percent. Member of PPLN Kuching, Subroto Umar in Kuching, Sarawak Malaysia told Voice of Indonesia that in the General Election 2014, Kuching was the best PPLN with more than 70 percent participants from permanent list voters. He also said since 2018, the PPLN Kuching has conducted general election socialization to all Indonesian citizens and Migrant Workers who stay in the region.

"To serve all voters in Sarawak Malaysia, PPLN Kuching is supported by the General Election Commission and the commitment of all staffs. I am sure that PPLN Kuching can maintain its record of 70 percent voters and it is possible to increase," Subroto said.

Subroto Umar moreover said that optimism toward higher voters’ participation in line with the system of General Election 2019 is getting better. Number of officials who serve the voters also drastically increase. Recently, Indonesian Consulate General in Kuching has conducted technical guidance for organizers of Foreign Election Committee. The technical guidance is to give input or knowledge about the implementation of voting process which is conducted in Kuching// Sekar/Trs:AF

The Indonesian Health Ministry recorded an estimated 842 thousand cases of tuberculosis (TBC) in the country last year, down some 200 thousand from 1.020 million the previous year.

Indonesia is currently the world's third largest country in terms of TBC sufferers, Director of Communicable Diseases Prevention and Control of the Health Ministry Wiendra Waworuntu told the press in Jakarta on Tuesday.

The ranking fell one notch compared to last year when Indonesia was second only to India in terms of TBC, she said.

With the number of TBC sufferers estimated at 842 thousand last year, Indonesia is currently ranked third after India and China in terms of TBC, she said.

She said nearly 39 percent of the overall TBC cases in the country have not been found and reported.

Meanwhile, the number of drug-resistant TBC cases is estimated at 4.4 thousand.

She said 52,929 of the overall TBC cases affected children and 7,729 cases affected HIV carriers.

Nearly 89 percent of TBC patients in Indonesia could be cured last year, she said, adding: "TBC can be cured if the patients get routine treatment."

TBC is a direct communicable disease caused by bacteria. It can affect anybody, particularly children, and those who are of a productive age. (ANTARA)

Indonesia has once again been appointed as an honorary guest of the World Franchise Exhibition to be held in Saudi Arabia from April 27 to 29 this year, the Indonesian Embassy in Riyadh announced in a written statement released on Tuesday.

"Indonesia and Saudi Arabia are currently in the golden era, where Indonesia receives a special place in the eyes of the Saudi government and the people," Indonesian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Agus Maftuh Abegebriel said.

The Saudi General Authority for Small and Medium Businesses will organize the expo in cooperation with the East Provincial Government under the control of Prince Ahmed Bin Fahd Bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of East Province.

Indonesia becomes an honorary guest of the expo this year thanks to the efforts of the embassy.

At the expo, the Indonesian Pavilion which covers an area of 144 square meters will feature several companies which have the potential to sell Indonesian franchise brands to Saudi Arabia, including those engaged in the food, beverage and garment industries.

By participating in the expo, more and more franchise brands of Indonesian products will hopefully be marketed in Saudi Arabia. Many Indonesian product brands, including Indomie, J-C0, ABC and Sasa are currently quite successful in Saudi Arabia.

Some 150 domestic and foreign companies with 600 brands will take part in the expo expected to be attended by some 100 thousand people from Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries.

The ambassador said the appointment of Indonesia as an honorary guest at the expo reflects close relations between the two countries, which enter the golden era, particularly after King Salman's visit to Indonesia in March 2017.

According to data from the Trade Ministry, trade between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia reached US$6.1 billion in 2018, up 34.94 percent compared to the previous year.

However, Indonesia suffered a deficit of $1.7 billion in its trade with Saudi Arabia last year due to high oil imports. Through economic and cultural promotion, Indonesia aims to increase its exports to Saudi Arabia. (ANTARA)