VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), flanked by First Lady Iriana, welcomed Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and wife DR Siti Hasanah on their arrival at Halim Perdanakusuma airport at 18.17 p.m. in Jakarta on Thursday.

Also seen accompanying Jokowi to welcome Mahathir and his delegation were Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, Coordinating Minister for Political, Security and Legal Affairs Wiranto, Indonesian Ambassador to Malaysia Rusdi Kirana, and Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan.

Mahathir is on an official visit to the country from June 28 to 29.

According to the Malaysian embassy, the visit is the first bilateral visit made by Mahathir after assuming the prime minister post for the second time on May 10.

Mahathir is scheduled to meet Jokowi as well the Malaysian community members.

The visit is expected to serve as a means for the two leaders to deepen bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries.

Mahathir is also expected to discuss various new policies of his government and his country`s stance towards various issues of common concern.

The two leaders are also expected to exchange views on regional as well as global issues of common interest.

Indonesia is Malaysia’s neighbor and important partner. In 2017, trade between the two countries rose 22 percent to US$16.89 billion from 2016, making Malaysia the seventh biggest trade partner in the world and third biggest among members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) after Singapore and Thailand. (ANTARA)

Dutch Foreign Minister Stefanus Abraham Blok or Stef Blok will visit Jakarta and Surabaya in East Java from July 2nd to 4th to hold a Bilateral Meeting with Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi. Director of Europe I Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dino Kusnadi told in a press conference held in Jakarta on Thursday, June 28th that the bilateral meeting between the two Foreign Ministers is very important because both countries have Comprehensive Partnership Agreement.

“The Dutch Foreign Minister, Stef Blok will arrive in Indonesia, Jakarta on June 2nd and will leave Jakarta on June 4th to hold a bilateral meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs and a number of other Indonesian officials. This visit is the first visit after Stef Blok serves as Foreign Minister earlier this year. We consider this visit to be very important because of Indonesia's dynamic relationship with the Netherlands. Indeed Indonesia and the Netherlands have relationships as a comprehensive partner or strategic partner,” said Dino Kusnadi.

Dino Kusnadi further added that the bilateral visit will be a good opportunity for Indonesia and the Netherlands to evaluate the strategic partnerships that have been built comprehensively for about five years. In addition, the two Foreign Ministers will discuss issues related to de-radicalism, extremism, countermeasures against terrorism, drug control and cyber space and cyber security in depth. The two Foreign Ministers will also discuss the conflict in Rohingya and Syria, and share experiences as members of the UNSC Security Council. Economic issues related to Crude Palm Oil and FLEGT timber trade mechanisms (Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade) will be discussed in the meeting. (VOI/Rezha/DP)

The British government is working to improve cooperation with countries outside the European Union region following the signing of the British Exit or Brexit Act by Queen Elizabeth II Monday, 26 June. Therefore, UK Government is currently working to improve its cooperation with Indonesia as one of the countries that have an important role in Asia and the world as a whole. This was conveyed by British Ambassador to Indonesia, Moazzam Malik on the sidelines of the celebration of the 92nd anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II in Jakarta, Thursday evening, June 28th.

“So, next year UK will leave EU, one of the reasons is to break free, increase cooperation with countries outside the European Union, especially major Asian countries such as Indonesia. Indonesia has an important role for the world economy, for world peace. UK is interested, committed to strengthening relations with Indonesia to maintain peace, Moazzam Malik said.

Ambassador Moazzam malik added that Indonesia and the UK will celebrate the 70th diplomatic relations in 2019. This can certainly be a good momentum to improve cooperation between the two countries. Currently, the UK Government itself has offered some cooperation to the Government of Indonesia in various fields. One of them is an offer of cooperation in the field of manpower submitted to Indonesian Minister of Manpower Hanif Dhakiri on Tuesday, June 26th. Such employment cooperation deals include vocational training, English language training, professional certification, and the prevention of human trafficking. (VOI/Rezha/DP)

The British Embassy in Indonesia on Thursday evening, June 28th, celebrated Queen Elizabeth II's 92nd birthday in Jakarta. A number of high-ranking Indonesian officials attended the celebration, namely Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla, former Indonesian third President B.J. Habibie, Indonesian Minister of Home Affairs Tjahjo Kumolo, Indonesian Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi, and Indonesian Minister of Health, Nina F, Moeloek. On the sidelines of the celebration, British Ambassador to Indonesia, Moazzam Malik expressed his hope in the implementation of 2018 Simultaneous Regional Head Election in Indonesia. He hopes the success of that elections in Indonesia can inspire the international community, especially Muslims people. Because in Indonesia democracy and Islam can go hand in hand.

“So, I hope to see the results of a very good democracy. The regional elections yesterday, inspired me, inspired the people of Indonesia. The elections were held peacefully, honestly and next year there will be a Presidential Election. So, all of them not only important to fulfill the aspirations of the Indonesian people, but also to inspire people in other countries, especially Muslims. To show that democracy is in accordance with Islam as well,” said Moazzam Malik.

In addition, Ambassador Moazzam Malik also appreciated the democracy which went well in Indonesia for about 20 years after the reformation in 1998. According to him, the democracy that went well in Indonesia has given positive changes in various sectors for many people. Such as the poverty rate which has dropped and the Indonesian economy grew nine fold. The celebration of Queen Elizabeth II's birthday in Jakarta this year brings a special theme about the sport to welcome the 2018 Asian Games grand event which will take place in Jakarta and Palembang, South Sumatra in August. Queen Elizabeth II who currently leads Britain itself was born with the name Elizabeth Alexandra Mary on 21 April 1926 in London, England. (VOI/Rezha/DP)