VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) accompanied by Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi will make a visit to Singapore to attend the 32nd ASEAN Summit. This summit is scheduled to be held on 27-28 April. One of the discussions that will be raised in the annual meeting of leaders of ASEAN countries is the development of Smart City ASEAN network. The concept of ASEAN Smart City itself is to strive for the development of a smart and sustainable city to improve the quality of life of the people with the help of technology. According to the Director of ASEAN PoliticalandSecurity Cooperation of theIndonesia Ministry of Foreign Affairs Chandra Widya Yudha in a press conference in Jakarta on Friday, April 20th, the discussion is in accordance with the current focus of the Government of Indonesia.

“To advance ASEAN Smart City Network which is also an ASEAN program, accordance with the program of Indonesia itself which we call the Movement Towards 100 Smart City. The point is to encourage the use of technology to advance the city. The design must be in accordance with the needs and potentials in the area for optimal results for the community and also realize a more effective, transparent and reliable governance,” said Chandra Widya Yudha.

Chandra added that in order to realize this framework, each ASEAN member country is required to nominate two or three of its cities to join the network. Indonesia has also chosen three cities in this Smart City program, namely the Special Capital Region of Jakarta, Makassar in South Sulawesi, and Banyuwangi in East Java. Furthermore, these Smart Cities will be the authority of the Indonesian Ministry of Home Affairs of Indonesia related to the development in the future. (VOI/Rezha/AHM)

Commemorating the National Consumer Day 2018 on April 20, the National Consumer Protection Agency -BPKN in collaboration with Mercu Buana University held a seminar on National Consumer Day and Food Tourism in Jakarta on Friday (20/4). Before the seminar, Head of BPKN, Ardiansyah Parman along with Rector of Mercu Buana University, Arissetyanto Nugroho signed a Memorandum of Understanding-MoU on consumer education to students. In his speech, Ardiansyah Parman said that through the MoU, cooperation in research and study will be undertaken.

“BPKN has the task of conducting research and study based on the regulation. In the three obligations of college, one of them is to conduct research and study. Therefore, we are signing MoU cooperation in at least these three areas, first research and study, second education and training, and the third is that BPKN encourages the growth of non-governmental consumer protection agencies,” Ardiansyah Parman said.

Ardiansyah Parman further explained that BPKN is willing to provide energy to give general lecture to students about consumer protection.  In return, the University also provides training for BPKN staff as the follow-up of the MoU. Meanwhile, Rector of Mercu Buana University said that National Consumer Protection Agency is a strategic institution. Because, its role can be a driving machine for the nation's economy. Therefore, BPKN needs to get support from all parties, including from universities. (VOI/Rifai/Trans by Rhm)

The Indonesian-Dutch relationship has never been separated from historical ties. The Dutch colonial period left many relics, such as old buildings. Some of which are still used today by government agencies or they are used as museums. The old buildings are not well-maintained. As a consequence, they are already broken due to being too old. Related to the handling of historic old buildings in Indonesia, Economic Counselor of the Royal Netherlands Embassy in Indonesia, Siebe Schuur in a special interview with Voice of Indonesia in Jakarta recently said that the old building restoration remains the responsibility of the Indonesian nation.

“In terms of heritage, in our opinion, it's Indonesia's responsibility. So if someone thinks that we still take part in the restoration of old buildings like in Bandung, Semarang, in Kota Tua or even in Malang, unfortunately it's not true," said Siebe Schuur.

Siebe Schuur also stated that the Dutch side is ready to help, if Indonesia needs the Dutch government as adviser who can provide inputs for the restoration of old buildings, according to the Dutch experience in handling old buildings in the Netherlands. (VOI/Sabrina/Trans by Rhm)

Political Communication expert from University of Indonesia, Effendy Gazali in the Dialectics of Politics at Media Center of the House of Representatives in Jakarta more recently (April 19^th) appreciated the steps of Indonesian House of Representatives –DPR to hold 2018 House of Criticism Contest  as an effort to improve the performance of the House in the future. He disclosed that criticism will bring about changes for the House towards a better state institution.

“Criticism is very important. Even, the criticism that is made very well should have the course. It is made very professionally, and very well; it is very important.” Effendy Gazali said.

As the chair of the jury at the 2018 House of Criticism Contest, Effendy Gazali said the criticism contest can be conducted freely with the creativity of the community, but the jury will look for criticism related to the performance, statements and political attitudes of members or speakers of the House. Effendy also affirmed that criticism should pay respect to Bhineka Tunggal Ika or unity in Diversity and should not contain hate speech or hoax. (VOI/AF/RHM)