United States Ambassador to Indonesia Joseph Donovan in Jakarta on Wednesday stated that the 4 of July celebration also aimed to celebrate relationship between the United States and Indonesia. According to him, cooperation between the two countries was built on the basis of basic values, tolerance, mutual respect, and upholding the rights of its citizens. Joseph said that, the United States also expected an increase in relations with Indonesia, especially in marking the 70 years of bilateral relation of the two countries in 2019.

"I hope the United States and Indonesia will be cooperating on our 70th year of anniversary. And I think the great way to begin that cooperation and that celebration is when we moving to our Embassy building later on this year," said Joseph Donovan .

Meanwhile the Indonesian Coordinating Minister of Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Panjaitan stated that both countries should be able to increase cooperation in the maritime and environment sector. He believed that both Indonesia and the United States has plenty of rooms to enhance cooperation in that sector, for instance related to plastic and marine debris. (KBRN/Retno/Trans/Ndy/AHM)

President Joko Widodo pointed to uncertainty in the current global economy conditions, thereby making it difficult to predict and compute.

"I think all regents here also sense the uncertainty in the global economy that is really difficult to compute," Widodo remarked at the Presidential Palace of Bogor on Thursday.

Widodo, who was accompanied by Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, stated that the government should deliver information related to economic growth.

"In terms of economic growth, we have to highlight the fact that the current global economy situation is still in a precarious position," he added.

However, the head of state believes Indonesia should be grateful, as economic growth is still reaching some five percent.

"We should be grateful that our economy can still grow five percent. I think we should be grateful," he remarked.

Other countries and also developed nations have experienced a drastic fall in economic growth.

"For instance, China's economic growth fell from 11 or 10 percent to 6.5 percent," he pointed out.

The head of state noted that the condition is a burden on the country.

"However, we want our economic growth to be good, so that our economic fundamentals and foundations become strong, whatever will be," he conveyed. (ANTARA)

Vice President Jusuf Kalla and World Bank President Jim Yong Kim left Jakarta for West Nusa Tenggara on Thursday to inspect healthcare facility in that region.

Kalla and Kim are scheduled to visit the village of Dakung in sub-district of Praya Tengah, Central Lombok to see healthcare facility and meet the villagers to discuss ways of coping with stunted growth of children.

The group comprising a number of Cabinet Ministers like Finance Minister Sri Mulyani, Health Minister Nila Moeloek, Public Works and Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono and Minister for Rural Affairs, Backward Villages and Transmigration Eko Putri Sandjojo, and World Bank`s chief representative for Indonesia Rodrigo Chaves, will also inspect other healthcare facilities in that area.

On Wednesday, Kim and President Joko Widodo visited the village of Caringin, in West Java for similar purpose. (ANTARA)

Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu expressed hope that the 2019 presidential election would run in a safe and orderly manner.

"Thank God. The simultaneous regional head elections on June 27, 2018, has been implemented in a safe and orderly manner. It demonstrates that our society can be obedient and orderly. I hope such a conducive situation would also be maintained in the presidential election," he noted during a briefing to some one thousand soldiers of the military command of Iskandar Muda in Banda Aceh, Aceh Province, on Wednesday.

Ryacudu, who is also the former Army chief of staff, noted that as long as there is no provocateur, the Indonesian people can act in an obedient and orderly manner.

The preparation stage of the 2019 presidential election will begin, with the registration for presidential and vice-presidential candidates on Aug 8-14.

"We need to closely monitor various developments in the situation, so that we can take precautionary measures against all possibilities that could affect the stability and security of the nation," he stated.

He affirmed that the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) should remain neutral during the election.

"The TNI must be neutral and maintain loyalty and professionalism," he noted.

He emphasized that the Indonesian people should be mindful of the fact that the final goal of the political year is essentially to elect a leader.

"As devout religious people, we should perform Istikharah Prayer to get a trustworthy leader to serve the people. Do not choose someone just since you got money from the person," he stated. (ANTARA)