VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Laos Deputy Foreign Minister, Khampao Erntahavanh handed over 100,000 US dollars in aid from the Lao Government to the victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Central Sulawesi Province. The assistance was handed over to the Indonesian Ambassador to Laos, Pratito Soeharyo on October 8, 2018 at the Laos Foreign Ministry building. Ambassador Pratito Soeharyo told RRI World Service Voice of Indonesia in a special interview on Tuesday, October 9, that the Lao government expressed deep sympathy for the victims and natural disaster. This assistance is a tangible manifestation of the closeness of relations, friendship and solidarity from Laos to Indonesia.

"This is a sincere assistance from the Lao government. One, as a fellow ASEAN country. Secondly, we have a very long history relationship. We may remember the kingdom of Champa. And we always support each other, where our position in the global is both political and economic. There is a reciprocity. We never feel to owe from them, and so do they. So this is a feeling of concern and support if one, for example, when our neighbor is in problems and disaster, we try to help with sincerity," Pratito said in an interview by phone.

Ambassador Pratito further explained that the Indonesian Embassy in Vientiane will immediately coordinate with relevant Ministries / Agencies so that the Lao Government's assistance can be utilized as well as possible. According to him, the Government of Laos has provided assistance 2 times for natural disaster in Indonesia, namely in 2005 for tsunami in Aceh and in 2010 for natural disasters in Wasior (West Papua), Mentawai Islands (West Sumatra) and Mount Merapi in Central Java. (VOI/SEKAR?TRANS NUKE/AHM)

Asian Para Games 2018 has run for four days. One of the sports that has been competed is sitting volley ball. It is still in a qualification match on the fourth day. In this qualification match, Indonesian women sitting volley team competed with Japan. The match was interesting, even Indonesian team won the third match. But eventually Indonesia have to admit Japanese strength with the score 25-18, 25-7, 19-25 and 25-21. Japanese Coach Mano Yoshihisa said after the match that he was enthusisastic to meet Indonesian team. He also gives special notes to one of Indonesian Players.

"One of the players, Annisa, number 7, since the friendly match last May, has fought very hard to motivate other players to get extra point and in my opinion, it is good," said Mano.

On the same occassion, the Japanese Coach Mano Yoshihisa added that in the Asian Para Games 2018, Japan targeted to beat Iran that have beaten them in the previous match. For the next preparation Mano said he always watches the opponents play through the video and then he prepares the strategy to face them. (VOI/IHSAN/TRANS NUKE/AHM)

Indonesian Youth and Sport Minister, Imam Nahrawi said that Indonesian women Judo athlete, Miftahul Jannah that was disqualified from Asian Para Games 2018 was becuase she refused to take off her headscarf or hijab during the game. In a press conference held at the Main Press Center of Gelora Bung Karno Sports Stadium, on Tuesday October 9th 2018, Minister Imam Nahrowi stated that what has happened to Miftahul Jannah is purely an international rule not discrimination or religious matters. 

"I do respect and admire Miftahul Jannah’s decision by not taking off her hijab. She kept it eventhough she had known it earlier that she had to remove her hijab during the game, because according to the regulation, it could be dangerous for the athlete. On the other hand, regulation of the International Judo Fderation has to be applied, no exception. This is the game. It is not a matter of different religion or anything, but it is purely the principles and regulation that have to be applied," said Imam Nahrawi.

Furthermore, Imam Nahrawi said that with the disqualification, it will be a homework for the International Judo Federation to find a breakthrough of hijab modification that can be used by the athletes. Imam also said that he will try to ask International Judo Federation to have flexible regulation especially for Muslim athletes. (VOI/TONO/TRANS NK/AHM)

Director of the Fiscal Affairs Department of the International Monetary Fund Vitor Gaspar, encouraged Indonesia to increase investment in human resource development. He said this when delivering a fiscal supervision report on Wednesday in Nusa Dua Bali. He said, Indonesia had experienced significant progress in the last 50 years in terms of sustainable and inclusive development. This is evidenced by the increase in Gross Domestic Product and other social indicators. To continue this positive growth, according to him, the Indonesian government, which is currently focusing on infrastructure development, requires a development strategy more focused on developing human resources.

"To think about policy, fiscal policy as a tool for sustainable and inclusive growth. Indonesia has recorded impressive progress in the last 50 years. This is testify by growth in GDP per kapita but also by a wide range of social indicators including health and indicators like infant mortality, life expectancy, and much else. Going forward, continuation of progress requires a development strategy. In Indonesia the emphasize is in investment. Investment in human, social and physical capital," said Vitor Gaspar.

Furthermore, Vitor Gaspar said, in an effort to support investment in infrastructure, human resources, education and health, the Indonesian government needs a sustainable source of financing. According to him, it would be obtained if the Indonesian government was able to raise state income from the tax sector. The sector which according to him still gives low contributions to Indonesian economic growth. (VOI/Ndy/TRANS NUKE/AHM)