The United States returned three historical items of Indonesia, which were taken and sold illegally by black market and smuggling network in their country on Friday (26/4). The historical items return was done based on the decision of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg for a case of stolen items smuggling in Southeast Asia with defendants Subhash Kapoor and Nancy Wiener.
Kapoor is an India-American descent art trader, while Wiener is a US citizen who practices illegal antique trade. As reported by Channel News Asia, in his official statement, Bragg said they have returned 30 stolen historical items from Indonesia and Cambodia being sold in the US. Besides from Indonesia, the US will also return 27 stolen historical items from Cambodia. The value of these antiques were estimated to be 3 million USD, as quoted by Times Now News.
The three historical items returned to Jakarta were statues from the Majapahit Kingdom Era that led the Nusantara in the 13th-16th century. Earlier, these antiques were confiscated by New York Court in 2023.
Indonesian Consul General in New York, Winanto Adi thanked for the return of Indonesian historic items. As quoted from Al Jazeera, this was dubbed as a valuable present for the 75th year of US-Indonesia diplomatic ties.
Although Kapoor was arrested in 2011 and sentenced to prison, Bragg ensured the investigation still continues. During his leadership, Bragg through the Antiquities Trafficking Unit has found almost 1,200 stolen items from 25 countries including Southeast Asia, and some of which were from Indonesia. The value of these antiquities amounts to 250 million USD.
Water is a natural resource that needs to be preserved. Because water is a driving source of life for all. This meaning is in line with the mission that the World Water Forum wants to carry out.
Apart from that, the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, in collaboration with Jejak.in, will also offer a package for calculating the amount of carbon emissions, which will be issued by the delegates via a carbon footprint calculator during their trip to Bali. The aim is for the delegation to contribute to environmental sustainability through mangrove planting and coral reef restoration.
Then, in the Indonesia Pavilion at the World Water Forum, the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy will provide tourism content with virtual reality (VR), selling low carbon tour packages, a series of fairs & expos, providing Wonderful Indonesia souvenirs and goodie bags, presenting content and activating the game, namely "Lokapala ", to exhibiting and selling selected and quality MSME products through planograms.
Batu Lapis Beach is one of the beaches in Totoharjo Village, Bakauheni District, South Lampung Regency. It is pretty unique because on the edge of this beach there are layers of rocks, not like other beaches which are usually a stretch of sand. Batu Lapis Beach, which is a natural wonder in Lampung Province, is filled with very beautiful rocks and it gives the impression that the stones are arranged. The structure of stacked rocks on this beach has earned this beach the nickname Batu Lapis Beach which means layers of rocks.
This unique layers of rock have different colors. Visitors not only can enjoy the natural beauty around the beach, looking at the blue and clear sea, they can also spend time taking photos on this amazing coral rock. Layered coral rocks that form naturally make this place unique. The coral rocks, which surface has been eroded by the waves and some of which have split, actually create a truly amazing view. The waves at this beach are quite high, so visitors are not allowed to swim.
The location of Batu Lapis beach is somewhat hidden yet not far from the city center Kalianda. It is only around 26 km away, while from the provincial capital, Bandar Lampung it is approximately 86 km.
The Indonesian Ambassador to Nauru, Dupito D. Simamora, handed over letters of credence to the President of the Republic of Nauru, David Ranibok Waiau Adeang, at the Nauru Presidential Palace. They also agreed on a commitment to strengthen relations by upholding the principle of equality. The Indonesian Embassy in Suva in its official statement received in Jakarta on Saturday (20/4/2024) stated that both parties agreed to respect and trust each other. These attitudes and principles are expected to be reflected in the policies of the two countries as well as within the framework of the Pacific Islands Forum of which Nauru is a full temporary member of Indonesia as a dialogue partner. The visit was also used to strengthen relations of both countries bilaterally, in the Pacific region and also share interests at the global level such as educational cooperation, handling climate change and collaboration among communities. Overall, the event of handing over the credentials was used effectively to improve mutual understanding, concrete future cooperation, and innovation to strengthen cooperation between the people of the two countries and protect Indonesian citizens and the Indonesian diaspora.
Moreover, during his visit, Ambassador Simamora and the Indonesian Embassy in Suva entourage also held meetings with important figures in Nauru, including the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nauru's Minister of Education and Climate Change and other high-ranking officials. Discussion regarding the potential for increased cooperation in the field of education and climate change is a priority, including the provision of scholarships including the Indonesian Arts and Culture Scholarship to support human resource development and better mutual understanding between the two countries.
Furthermore, during his visit in Nauru, the Indonesian Ambassador also held a separate meeting with alumni of Indonesian scholarship recipients from Nauru who work in various sectors including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The alumni had a deep positive impression while participating in the program in Indonesia and suggested that Indonesia would like to continue involving Nauruan youth in the future. The delegation also visited and kept in touch with Indonesian citizens and Indonesian diaspora families who live in Nauru. Indonesian diaspora families who are also large entrepreneurs in Nauru also conveyed opportunities for placing Indonesian workers in several sectors in Nauru. To be able to continue maintain good relations of both countries, they also carried out initial exploration regarding the possibility of Indonesia having an honorary consul in Nauru// that’s Diplomatic Corner.