VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Charge d'affaires Ad Interim at the Indonesian Embassy in Seoul, Zelda Wulan Kartika conveyed several cooperation programs between Indonesia and South Korea which will be held throughout 2024.

She said close and solid cooperation between Indonesia and South Korea will provide benefits, especially for the two countries, also the regions and the world. Zelda Wulan Kartika in Seoul on Wednesday (31/1/2024) explained the embassy will also encourage cooperation in halal certification. Especially after the accreditation of two Korean entities by the Indonesian Halal authority to issue mutually recognized halal certification.

She revealed in the security sector events will be held such as a strategic dialogue between the both countries’ Deputy Ministers of Foreign Affairs and a bilateral meeting of senior Indonesian-South Korean officials. In addition, the Indonesian Embassy in Seoul will host a meeting of Indonesianists in South Korea. It aims to share knowledge and policy expertise to build capacity and raise awareness in the region.

Indonesia will also strengthen cooperation in the economic and trade fields with South Korea by utilizing the Indonesia-Korea Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement as well as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, which have taken  effect since 2023. In the field of education, Zelda Wulan Kartika said the Indonesian Embassy in Seoul will continue to develop work programs cooperation and cultural exchange such as the Indonesian Language program for Foreign Speakers -BIPA Korea and the implementation of the Rumah Indonesiana project.

Charge d'affaires Ad Interim Zelda Wulan Kartika also mentioned that Indonesia and Korea have signed a memorandum of understanding/ to increase protection for Indonesian seafarers working on South Korean ships. She emphasized that the embassy  would continue to coordinate with the Indonesian Ministry of Manpower and the Indonesian Migrant Worker Placement and Protection Agency as well as the South Korean Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries to finalize the implementation arrangements.

The fresh cool air begins to be felt when you are traveling to the Buton regency area by passing through Wantiro Hill, Baubau City. Moreover, when you are in an area of shady trees, you will feel the coolness of the air even more. In this place,  there is the most famous waterfall in Baubau City, namely the Tirta Rimba waterfall, which is called falling water by some local people. This waterfall, which was opened in 1978, is precisely located in Kadolomoko district, Kokalukuna sub-district, Baubau City, Southeast Sulawesi.

Access to this natural tourism attraction is said to be very easy because private car or motorbikes can enter right up to the side of the waterfall. There are still many shady trees on the left and right sides of the driveway. The cool air becomes even more so when approaching this tourism attraction. Even when the water flow is quite large, the sound of the roar of the waterfall can be heard clearly when you are on the side of the road.

The Tirta Rimba waterfall is approximately 10 meter high with the uniqueness of the water flowing from a large rock making it look like a mushroom. The mushroom-shaped lumps of rock are the lime content in water  which has been flowing for quite a long time. Meanwhile, right under the waterfall, there is a pool that is naturally shaped due to water scouring at varying depths. Usually, this pool is used for tourists who visit to feel the coolness of the water by swimming. If you are brave enough, you can try the sensation of jumping into the natural pool from the height of the waterfall. Apart from swimming or playing in the water, here you can also take photos to upload to social media, because this place can be said to be an Instagrammable tourism attraction.

If you are in Southeast Sulawesi, particularly in Baubau City, please visit the Tirta Rimba waterfall, because in this area, you can feel calm and relax your body and mind.

Indonesia is targeting the Cambodian herbal and traditional medicine market because of looking at a large market potential for these products.  Indonesian Ambassador to Cambodia, Santo Darmosumarto held a  meeting with the Vice President of the Cambodian Chamber of Commerce,  Lim Heng at the Cambodian Chamber of Commerce head office in Phnom Penh on Monday (29/1). They discussed efforts to improve the economic partnership between Indonesia and Cambodia. According to the  Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh in its statement on  Wednesday (31/1), to achieve these goals, the Indonesian Embassy Phnom Penh will hold a number of promotional activities this year, one of which is a health and beauty exhibition which will take place in Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville in June 2024.

Moreover, Ambassador Santo has  pointed out that Indonesian health products are now increasingly well received by Cambodian consumers. He believes there is huge potential for Indonesian producers,  especially in the field of herbal and traditional medicine. According to  Ambassador Santo, this health and beauty exhibition will be a step ahead before holding “Sousday Indonesia", an event to promote Indonesian trade,  investment and tourism. This activity will be held in Phnom Penh in September 2024. He hopes this activity can attract 100 Indonesian and Cambodian companies to participate in. Indonesian Embassy Phnom Penh will also invite a large delegation of Cambodian entrepreneurs to take part in the largest international trade exhibition in Indonesia, namely Trade Expo Indonesia in October 2024.  According to the plan,  on the sidelines of the exhibition, there will also be a forum to explore infrastructure cooperation opportunities.

Meanwhile, the Vice President of the Cambodian Chamber of Commerce, Lim Heng  expressed the commitment of the Cambodian Chamber of Commerce to support the efforts of the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh in encouraging bilateral trade,  investment and tourism cooperation. He further stated that the governments of Indonesia and Cambodia must make more efforts to encourage interaction between the private sector of the two countries,  including collaboration between the Cambodian Chamber of Commerce and the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Cambodia. According to data from the Indonesian Ministry of Trade, the total value of trade between Indonesia and Cambodia in January to November 2023 was recorded at US$874.5 million  or around Rp13.78 trillion,   with an export value of US$788.6 million  or around Rp12.42 trillion  and imports of US$85.9 million or around Rp1.35 trillion.

Miduana Traditional Village in Balegede village, Cianjur regency, West Java province, Indonesia is a tourism destination which has a rich culture and the charm of typically natural beauty of  mountains. Interestingly, the village with 21 houses inhabited by 21 families also maintains their ancestral traditions, even in modern times. For example, there is a tradition of building houses with doors facing south or north. The procedure for planting rice is still traditionally carried out there.

Not only interesting culture and traditions, Miduana traditional village also has an extraordinary  special food  for outsiders, namely payo fish. Payo fish resembles tadpoles, but larger in size, namely the size of an adult's thumb. This animal lives attached to rocks in river flows in the area. Payo fish is usually prepared by frying until dry. Apart from that, people often process it into payo fish curry. It tastes so delicious, particularly when eaten with warm rice.

According to the beliefs of local people, this payo fish dish is said to provide the properties of youth and longevity. Evidently, dozens of people in this traditional village still look fit and healthy although they are more than 100 years old. They can do daily activities including going to the garden to pick vegetables. For those of you who are curious and want to prove the benefits of Payo Fish, please  just come to the Miduana traditional village in Cianjur.