VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Friday, August 17, the Indonesian people will celebrate the 73rd Anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia. Indonesian President Joko Widodo said, this Anniversary of Independence is a momentum to recall the spirit of Indonesian unity which has been proven by the founders of the nation, the pioneers, and fighters in seizing and maintaining the independence. At that time, according to President Jokowi, all the people of the nation got rid of political, ethnic, religious or class differences, only to realize an independent Indonesia. The President reiterated in his speech at the Annual Session of the Indonesian People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) in Jakarta on Thursday (August 16), to welcome the 73rd Anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia, that the difference is not a barrier for freedom fighters to be united.

"Differences are not a barrier for freedom fighters to unite. In that unity, they found a tremendous energy to move all their energy andtheir mind for independent Indonesia. It was in Indonesian unity that freedom fighters found solidarity, caring and also the spirit of sharing among fellow nations. Increasing solidarity, sharing and caring for each other, one nation, one language, and one homeland, after 73 years of independence. We must continue the spirit of the freedom fighters to work realistically to fill the freedom, to really work hard to fulfill the promises of independence and to realize the social justice for all Indonesian people," President Joko Widodo said.

President Jokowi also said that the Indonesian people are facing various challenges, obstacles and trials that tested the unity and integrity of this nation in its journey as an independent nation. Therefore, Indonesian people must be grateful, in facing the tests, they are always reminded by the founding fathers that the rise and fall of the nation depend on the nation itself. The President is also convinced, as long as the Indonesian people want to remain united, share and care for their fellows, then Indonesia will become a force respected by other nations in the world. (VOI/Rezha/AHM)

Indonesian President, Joko Widodo, said that the Indonesian government is committed that every Indonesian child is born healthy, grows up with adequate nutrition, and free from stunting. In welcoming the 73rd Anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia in Jakarta, Thursday (August 16), the President mentioned a number of programs his government has been working on for the past 4 years, namely the distribution of Healthy Indonesia Cards which in 2017 reached more than 20 million students.

"We work to ensure that every Indonesian child can be born healthy, can grow with adequate nutrition, free from stunting. When they enter their school age, we cannot let them to be forced to drop out of school due to unreachable school fees. We realize this commitment through the distribution of the Indonesia Smart Card which reached 20 million students in 2017 and expanded the distribution of Bidik Misi Scholarships for college students. In addition to equitable access to education, we also do not forget to build healthy Indonesian people through the Healthy Living Community Movement," President Joko Widodo said.

In addition to the education, the government also builds healthy Indonesian people through the Healthy Living Community Movement, and social protection for underprivileged people by increasing the number of recipients of National Health Insurance Contribution Assistance from 86.4 million in 2014 to 92.4 million in May 2018. (VOI/Rezha/AHM)

Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said that for almost four years of his term of office, he has focused on building infrastructure as the Indonesia's foundation. Infrastructure development certainly does not only increase the productivity and competitiveness of the nation but also will grow new economic centers. This was conveyed before the Annual Session and the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) in welcoming the 73rd Anniversary of Indonesia in Jakarta, Thursday, August 16, 2018.

"We must ensure that the country has really worked in taking care of and protecting the whole country and the nation. Starting in the first year of the administration, we have begun to build a solid foundation for a more advanced Indonesia. Therefore Indonesia focuses on infrastructure development as well as increases the productivity and competitiveness of the nation. The acceleration of infrastructure development is not only intended to catch up with us in infrastructure development compared to other countries. But it also fosters new economic centers that are able to provide added value to regions throughout the country. That is why infrastructure is not only built in Java but also on Sumatra Island, Kalimantan Island, Maluku Islands, Nusa Tenggara to the land of Papua," Joko Widodo said.

In addition, President Jokowi also said that development such as means of transportation is not only physical, but it should also have an impact on the people's lives. According to him, there is still a lot of misunderstanding that when we build infrastructure it is seen only from the physical side. Even though actually through this development, the Indonesian Government is building civilization, building cultural connectivity, and building new cultural infrastructure. President Jokowi also explained that infrastructure increases connectivity. As a result, not only is the economy increasingly integrated, but laso cultural relations in Indonesia can be even tighter. The development of physical infrastructure must be seen as a way to unite and accelerate cultural connectivity that can bring different cultures across the archipelago. President Jokowi also promised to continue to prepare human resources to advance Indonesia, and not only focusing on natural resources. (VOI/REZHA/AHM)

Indonesian President's Special Envoy for Interfaith Dialogue and Inter-Civilization Dialogue (UKP-DKAAP) Din Syamsuddin said his side is going to hold the seventh World Peace Forum (WPF) in Jakarta on August 14-16, 2018. The forum is held in collaboration with the Center for Dialogue and Cooperation among Civilization (CDCC) and a Malaysian non-governmental organization, Cheng Ho Multi Cultural and Education Trust. The theme of the seventh WPF was "the Middle Path for the New World Civilization." In his press statement in Jakarta on Monday (Aug 13), Din Syamsudin emphasized that the seventh WPF is not an interfaith dialogue, but the scope is broader because it will involve various parties with different backgrounds such as religious leaders, peace activists, policy makers, and academics.

"This is not an interfaith dialogue. So there are religious leaders, religious leaders, and representatives of the international religious assemblies will be present. Both from the Vatican, the WCC, the World Buddhist Fellowship, the Hindu Association, the International Islamic Organization, various religious figures, including Jews, there will be representatives later. But besides religious leaders there are also scientific figures, and intellectuals, a number of professors involved in the creation in this world will also be present," Din Syamsudin said.

Furthermore, Din Syamsudin explained, of the hundreds of participants present , a number of important invitation figures had confirmed to attend the seventh WPF, including former East Timor Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao and former East Timorese President Mar'i Alkatiri. Also present at the forum will be Federative President of Micronesia Peter Christian and Russian Foreign Ministry Envoy KV Shuvalov. The forum will also be attended by delegates from the Middle East, such as Palestinian President Adviser on Religion and Islamic Affairs Mahmoud Al Habbash and Secretary General of King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz of the Center for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue (KAAICID) Center and former World Religion and Peace Chair Bishop Gunnar Stalsett, as well as various other important figures from 40 countries and international organizations. (VOI / Rezha/AHM)