VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesian diplomacy faces severe challenges in the coming years. This was revealed by former Indonesian Ambassador to the United States, Dino Pati Djalal during the Ambassadorial Farewell Lecture held by the Center for Dialogue and Cooperation among Civilization in Jakarta on Monday (Feb 11). The tough challenge, according to Dino Pati, can no longer be answered only with Free Active politics but Free Active Plus one. To increase added value for Indonesian diplomacy, an Ambassador needs to also look for opportunities. One thing that must be done is that Indonesian diplomats must do something different when carrying out their duties. (VOI / BNP)

On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution of Iran, Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Darmin Nasution and Iranian Ambassador to Indonesia Valiollah Mohammadi Nasrabadi commemorated the strong cultural ties between Iran and Indonesia. The event was held in Jakarta, on Monday (Feb12).

“Indonesia and Iran have enjoyed a long standing friendship and social-cultural relations dating back to hundreds of years ago. Our bilateral trade between Indonesia and Iran continues to steadily grow,” said Darmin Nasution.

Minister Darmin said that the visit of President of Iran, Hassan Rouhani to Indonesia in 2015 and the visit of Indonesian President Joko Widodo to Iran in 2016 had elevated bilateral relations to a higher level. (VOI/Stephen/AHM)

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) highlighted the high potential of tourism in becoming the largest contributor of foreign exchange.

The tourism industry should be intensified further to offer more foreign exchange to the nation, Jokowi stated during a gala dinner to mark the 50th anniversary of the Association of Indonesian Restaurants and Hotels (PHRI), in Jakarta, Monday evening.

"Our tourism potential is huge. We are among the six most beautiful countries and the top 10 countries that must be visited," he pointed out.

Jokowi believes that such recognition must become a brand and asset for Indonesia’s tourism, he added.

He said tourism has contributed foreign exchange worth US$16 billion, exceeding those from palm oil and CPO.

"Now, it is already the highest," Jokowi noted.

The president has urged the public works and public housing minister to prioritize infrastructure development in four of the 10 New Bali tourist destinations. The four priority destinations are Mandalika, Lake Toba, Labuan Bajo, and Borobudur.

Infrastructure development should not only be centered on Java Island, where 149 million of the country`s 260 million population, reside.

During the gala dinner, Jokowi was accompanied by Tourism Minister Arief Yahya, Public Works and Public Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono, and Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung.

Meanwhile, President Jokowi was named Father of Indonesian Tourism during the gala dinner of (PHRI).

PHRI Chairman Hariyadi Sukamdani bestowed the title on Jokowi at the Jakarta Convention Hall.

"The honorary title of Father of National Tourism was bestowed by PHRI on Mr Jokowi for his initiatives and commitment to tourism development since he was the mayor of Solo," Sukamdani noted.

Infrastructure development projects, such as toll roads, 11 new airports, seaports, and power plants, constructed by President Jokowi across Indonesia, have directly affected the tourism sector, he pointed out.

Owing to Jokowi`s policies, including on visa-free travel, the rise in tourist arrivals in Indonesia has surpassed the average increase in the regions, he remarked. (ANTARA)

The British Deputy Ambassador  to Indonesia Rob Fenn praised efforts of Indonesia to eradicate corruption in the region. At a joint-media conference outside the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) headquarters in Jakarta Monday, Rob Fenn announced that the United Kingdom was eager to provide logistical and technological assistance to further enhance the corruption watchdog. This would involve some knowledge sharing, such as providing the organization with the latest forensic accounting skills.

“I think it is the brand of Indonesia as a country which is serious about fighting corruption. This kind of reputation is not gotten easily. The KPK has been a really energetic champion of things like beneficial ownership and also anti-corruption law more broadly. We look to Indonesia with admiration, a country that has tackled this issue face-to-face, increasingly Indonesia can be seen as a flag-bearer for the anti-corruption agenda both in this region and globally in the UN," said Rob Fenn.

On the same occasion, Deputy Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission -KPK, Laode M Syarif discussed how the KPK was “the most aggressive anti-corruption network in the world,” adding the agency was eager to provide assistance to agencies in Africa and the Asia-Pacific, such as the fact-finding delegations from Afghanistan and Ethiopia arriving in coming months. Laode M Syarif also said that he was hopeful the assistance from the UK would not only build the capacity of the KPK, but could bolster corruption-busting efforts in other ASEAN countries. (VOI/Stephen/AHM)