VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

President Joko Widodo has inaugurated a number of officials at Presidential Palace in Jakarta more recently. One of them is Admiral Siwi Sukma Adji who was inaugurated as Navy Chief of Staff replacing Admiral Ade Supandi who will be retired on June 1st. After being inaugurated, Navy Chief of Staff Siwi Sukma Adji said that he is committed to continuing the programs which have been designed by previous Navy Chief. He underlined that the maritime security sector will become his priority, especially to support World Maritime Axis vision.

“For us, Indonesia, especially the Navy, Maritime Axis is to secure the maritime shaft distribution line, to secure safe and comfortable security for marine users. Then, we also create a safe situation. Everything in the ocean such as security distribution, navigation shipping is a very important task in the future,” Navy Chief of Staff Siwi Sukma Adji said.

Before serving as Chief of Staff of the Navy, Siwi Sukma had held various strategic positions, including General Planning Assistant Commander of the TNI and Commander of Fleet Command of the Western Indonesia. In addition, Siwi Sukma also served as Commander General of Military Academy. (VOI/Ndy/Trans by Rezha/RHM)

Indonesian Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Iran, Octaviano Alimuddin, said the bilateral cooperation between Indonesia and Iran in politics and economy increase significantly. He told RRI World Service-Voice of Indonesia recently said that after the visit of President JokoWidodo to Iran, there was an increase in trading volume of more than 50 percent. In 2016, Indonesia and Iran set a trade volume of 338 million US dollars. He said Indonesian Crude Palm Oil-CPO and food products exports to Iran posted an increase. He hopes Indonesian automotive and textile Products can enter Iran market in the future.

“We want also to further pursue the market of Iran for our textile industry and automotive industry. That’s why for Indonesia we are pursuing to finalize the preferential trade agreement which we have serious of negotiation. 2017 we have two negotiation and we have in 2018 we will also have another negotiation before we could finalize the PTA (Preferential Trade Agreement),” Octaviano Alimuddin said.

Octaviano further said, in the field of investment, based on data from the Investment Coordinating Board, Iran was the big 33rd investor which invests in 17 projects in Indonesia until 2017. He hopes in 2018, Iranian investment will increase. He also stressed that currently there are several Indonesia-Iran joint projects in Palu and Situbondo. In politics, Iran supports Indonesia's candidacy as the UN Non-Permanent Security Council in 2019. In addition, Indonesia and Iran also frequently conduct consultations between government and hold frequent visit of both senior officials.////(VOI/SEKAR/DP)

Head of National Aeronautics and Space Agency - LAPAN, Prof. Thomas Djamaluddin M.Sc, said that LAPAN will build a national observatory center in Mount Timau, East Nusa Tenggara. To RRI World Service-Voice of Indonesia, Monday (21/5) he explained, that the development is a cooperation between LAPAN, Bogor Agricultural Institute and Cendana University. In addition to the center of the observatory, the science center will also be built in Kupang. Mount Timau, East Nusa Tenggara was chosen as the location of national observatory center because it has the longest sunny night, no light pollution and good access. Currently, the construction is in the telescope-making step which started since the beginning of this year.

“We have signed a contract with a Japanese company to create a 3.8 meter telescope that will be the largest telescope in Southeast Asia. While the process is done in Japan, it is targeted to complete until the end of 2019, shipped to Indonesia to be installed at the telescope building. We are targetting it can be operated at the beginning of 2020,” Thomas Djamaluddin said.

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Thomas Djamaluddin furthermore said, that the telescope at the observatory will have the latest and efficient technology. It will be used for astrophysical research related to star observations, nebulae and galaxy structures. It is hoped the telescope can contribute a better understanding of the universe to the people. In addition, the telescope is also located in the equator so that it can observe the northern hemisphere and southern hemisphere. Therefore, it can be utilized for international cooperation especially with the northern countries like Japan, Europe and America. With its long history of astronomical research since 1923, Indonesia is considered the most experienced country in astronomical research, so it can invite countries in Southeast Asia to cooperate. Currently Thailand and the Philippines are also build large telescopes, so that research cooperation with the countries can be implemented. (VOI/SEKAR/NT)

Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) encourages all Indonesian farmers to use Biological Organic Fertilizer in developing agriculture. The Plantwhich uses Biological Organic Fertilizer (POH) is more durable towardpest. The plant can also increase the biochemical quality of agricultural land. Technology of LIPI’s Biological Organic Fertilizer has been applied by more than 6,000 farmers in 70 regencies and cities in Indonesia.Moreover, the Fertilizer  can increase agricultural production significantly. It was stated by a researcher of Biological Research Center of LIPI Sarjiya Antonius after Media Briefing about LIPI Biological Organic Fertilizer for Nutritious and Sustainable Food Supply at Media Center of LIPI in Jakarta on Monday (21/05).

“I want farmers can change their mindset.They do not depend on chemical fertilizer by ignoring the fertility of land. Every time I disseminate information and introduce Bio-organic Fertilizer.  The farmers have to decline the use of chemical fertilizer.  Secondly, keeping organic fertilizer, thirdly if using chemical fertilizer, we must follow Standard Operational Procedure (SOP).Because herbicide and pesticide affected to the nerve. We are not aware now, that in the next few years it will be very harmful for health,” Sarjiya Antonius said.

Sarjiya Antonius also explained that the production technology and application of Biological Organic Fertilizer have been produced continuously and independently in many farmer groups and practitioners in many regions in Indonesia. Antonius further said that the use of Biological Organic Fertilizer can give positive impact socially and economically because the use of the Fertilizer can reduce the production cost, make the food more nutritious and does not contaminate the environment. (VOI/AF/NT)