Indonesian Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas) supported by the Knowledge Sector Initiative, a collaborative program between the Government of the Republic of Indonesia and Australia held Indonesia Development Forum (IDF) 2018 on 10-11 July in Jakarta. IDF is an international forum to discuss strategic issues and the priority agenda of Indonesia’s development, as well as to find innovative solutions appropriate to the development context in Indonesia. This year, the IDF has specifically addressed the theme of "Breakthroughs to Overcome Interregional Gaps in Indonesia". According to Minister of National Development Planning, Bambang Brodjonegoro in a press conference held in Jakarta on Tuesday, July 10th, IDF is expected to emerge initiatives, innovations, and ideas from several regions that can be an example for other areas to overcome their problems.

"Therefore, in the Indonesia Development Forum this time, we want to raise initiatives, innovations, ideas that may have been going well in some areas and we hope other regions can learn from each other, see how other areas can do and maybe they can make modifications. Imitate but make modifications and then we also hope this idea not only emerges from the central or local government, but we also hope that this idea comes from the society," Bambang Brodjonegoro said.

Furthermore, Bambang Brodjonegoro said the gap between regions in Indonesia is a complex and multi-sectoral issue. Therefore the Government of Indonesia needs contributions from the society as well as businesses people, academics, publics, and also young people to find a solution based on real evidence and create innovative mapping with new approaches. The IDF theme that was carried out this year is one of the Indonesian President Joko Widodo nine agenda (Nawa Cita) to develop Indonesia from periphery

by strengthening social, economic, and human resources development in all parts of Indonesia, including underdeveloped areas and islands. (VOI/Rezha Hadyan/AHM)

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) congratulated the National Police (Polri) on its 72nd anniversary and called on the Polri to help strengthen the nation`s unity.

"On behalf of the people, nation, and state, I convey my congratulations on the 72nd anniversary of Bhayangkara Day to every police officer and the big family of Polri in Indonesia, wherever you are assigned, from Sabang to Merauke, from Mianggas to Rote Isle," the president stated while acting as inspector of a ceremony to celebrate Bhayangkara Day here, Wednesday.

Jokowi emphasized that Polri must promote brotherhood and harmony among elements of the public, so they would not be trapped in a circle of hostility and hatred.

The ceremony was also attended by Vice President M. Jusuf Kalla and spouse Mufidah, National Police Chief General Tito Karnavian, Head of the Corruption Eradication Community (KPK) Agus Rahardjo and KPK commissioners -- Saut Situmorang, Basaria Panjaitan -- as well as Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan,

The president reminded the police to use information technology as a precautionary and preventive measure against various crimes emerging in the current digital era.

"Polri must be ready to deal with transnational crimes, such as cyber crimes, human trafficking, drug trafficking, and arms smuggling, as well as terrorism," he remarked.

The head of state condemned the terror attacks by suicide bombers that not only targeted the public but also police officers.

He urged the police to maintain harmony and values of diversity as well as take precautionary measures against horizontal conflicts on the pretext of race and religion.

On the occasion, the president presented awards to four police officers for their achievements and significant contribution in maintaining law and order.

President Jokowi lauded the Law and Order Index that placed Indonesia among the top 10 safest countries in the world.

"As we celebrate the 72nd anniversary of the National Police, we receive good news from Gallup Law and Order that has placed Indonesia among the top 10 safest countries in the world," Jokowi affirmed.

The head of state expressed pride over the achievement resulting from the hard work of various elements of the nation, including the dedication and hard work of the National Police .

The 2018 Global Law and Order report compiled by consultancy firm Gallup found that Singapore and Indonesia are among the safest countries in the world, ahead of several developed countries in East Asia and Europe, according to seasia.co online media on June 19.

The 2018 Global Law and Order survey involved 148 thousand people from around the world to evaluate how safe they feel in their respective countries, and the participants were asked whether they felt safe walking alone at night, had confidence in the police, had property stolen from them or their family, and whether they had been mugged in the last 12 months.

Seasia.co, wrote that more than two-thirds of people worldwide have confidence in their police forces and feel safe walking alone at night.

Singapore is at the top of the Law and Order Index, while Indonesia ranks ninth, below Switzerland and Canada and just above Denmark, seasia.co reported. (ANTARA)

The Indonesian government must prevent terror during the Asian Games 2018, House Speaker Bambang Soesatyo remarked.

"The Police, the Military, and the State Intelligence Agency (BIN) should ensure the security of all the participants of the event," Soesatyo said in Jakarta on Tuesday, July 10.

The Police, the Military, and the State Intelligence Agency (BIN) should eliminate threats from terrorist cells.

Three bombs earlier exploded in a house in Pasuruan district of East Java province on Thursday (July 5), wounding a child and the alleged owner of the bombs, provincial police spokesman Senior Commissioner, Frans Barung Mangera, stated.

The first bomb exploded at about 11:30 a.m. local time in a house at Pogar village of Bangil sub-district; in a matter of minutes, the second bomb went off, followed by the third one, the spokesman revealed.

The police are pursuing a man named Anwar suspected to be the owner of the bombs, Mangera noted.

The House of Representatives are concerned about the bomb explosions ini Pasuruan.

"The terrorists are looking for a momentum to conduct terror," he added.

Therefore, the government should ensure security during the Asian Games 2018.

The Jakarta Youth and Sports Office earlier stated that the promotion of the 2018 Asian Games continued to be carried out in all areas of Jakarta Province.

"The promotion of the Asian Games will continue to be intensified in all areas. For this week, we will promote Asian Games in the cities of Central Jakarta and West Jakarta," Head of Jakarta Youth and Sports Office Ratiyono stated.

The 18th Asian Games will be held in the cities of Jakarta and Palembang in South Sumatra Province from Aug 18 to Sept 2, 2018.

He noted that the office promoted the games on July 8 in all sub-districts in the cities of Central Jakarta and West Jakarta.

"After that, we will continue to promote the event in North Jakarta City and Kepulauan Seribu District on July 15," he remarked.

He added that the promotion of the 18th Asian Games had already been held in all sub-districts in the cities of South Jakarta and East Jakarta on July 1.

The promotion of the games had been led by mayors and deputy mayors of the areas by holding a replica of the Asian Games torch while running from one district to other districts.

In addition to the mayors and deputy mayors of the areas, children also promoted the event by holding the flags of 40 countries participating in the Asian Games. (ANTARA)

The Indonesian government will soon open a tender process for the construction of 327 kilometers of six toll roads, worth Rp124 trillion, an official said.

"The party, which will ask for the least support from the government, will be the winner," Chief of the Toll Road Regulatory Board (BPJT), Herry Trisaputra Zuna, said in Jakarta on Tuesday, July 10.

The tender process will be announced in stages, starting from July 15, 2018, he noted.

He added that the Semarang-Demak section in Central Java, with a length of 26.5 kilometers worth Rp20-21 trillion, is the readiest among the six toll road projects for auction.

The Semarang-Demak section, which will be financed with state budget fund and private investment, will have dual functions as a toll road and a dike to prevent flooding from the sea, he remarked.

The government has prepared designs for the toll road and the dike. However, it remains open to receive such designs from tender participants, provided the designs must have the same function, he revealed.

He noted that tender prequalification process will last for one month, starting from July 16, 2018.

"Hopefully, the cooperation contract will be signed at the end of this year," he added.

The government will also open tenders for the construction of the other five toll road projects, which have secured initiative permits from the public works and housing minister this year.

The five toll road projects include Semanan-Balaraja section, Kamal-Teluk Naga-Rajeg section, Gedebage-Tasikmalaya-Cilacap section, and Jembatan Balikpapan-Penajam Passer Utara section. (ANTARA)