VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesia's state-owned enterprise producing military and commercial products, PT Pindad, has planned to develop Anoa 3 panzer to be known as Anoa desert, which would then be exported to Middle East countries.

“Anoa 3 is a panzer with more powerful engines and wider cross-field capabilities,” said General Manager of Weapons at PT Pindad, Yayat Ruyat in Sentul, West Java, on Tuesday.

He stated that Anoa 3 panzer will be able to cross difficult terrains, like deserts. So it will be offered to countries in the Middle East region.

“There is already a request for this panzer in Saudi Arabia. They have not stated the number, but they are interested in it and will try our Anoa panzer there,” Ruyat noted.

Besides being capable of crossing difficult terrains, this panzer will be equipped with instruments to face nuclear, biological, and chemical attacks.

“They will be able to take on nuclear attacks, and we will also improve the features of the existing Anoas,” he said.

According to Ruyat, the Anoa 3 is also equipped with an additional protection system, such as a protective ceramic plate that would be able to withstand rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) attacks.

“Our panzer, whether it is an Anoa 3 or a tank could be equipped  with an add-on ceramic, so when there are missile attacks, the missile would only destroy the ceramic plate. The vehicle and the personnel inside are expected to be still safe,” he uttered.

The Anoa 3 panzer is one of the innovation targets that will be carried out by Pindad this year. Other innovations that will be developed by Pindad in 2019 also include the development of Cornershot weapon prototypes for industrial scale and a number of other main defense system tools. (ant)

The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the US Embassy in Jakarta will celebrate 70 years of Indonesia-United States diplomatic relations.

"I am optimistic that the relations between the two countries will continue to grow and develop in a constructive and mutually beneficial way," Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdurrahman M. Fachir said here on Wednesday.

Fachir conveyed this while launching the Commemorative Stamp for the 70th Anniversary of the Diplomatic Relations between Indonesia and USA and the joint program of #lndonesiaUSA70th Youth Ambassadors.

The issuance of the Commemorative Stamp and the joint program #lndonesiaUSA 70th Youth Ambassadors was to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Indonesia and the United States with the theme, "Celebrate Our Diversity, Prosper Together as Strategic Partners".

The commemorative stamp features images of the leather-backed sea turtle laying eggs in the Eastern part of Indonesia and living in the West Coast waters of the US. The species reflects a partnership across the ocean, where both countries hope to continue to collaborate over the welfare of their people and the world.

The stamp will be printed in 1,000 pieces, while one will be placed in the Indonesian Stamp Museum.

The Indonesia-USA70th Youth Ambassadors is a collaboration program introduced by the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the US State Department, which will see the participation of 10 young Indonesians aged 18 to 25 years from various cultural backgrounds to explore the bilateral relationship between Indonesia and the United States.

The participants will spend three weeks traveling around the United States, forging relationships, and engaging with young Americans. The program will provide participants an opportunity to promote pluralism and democracy, and prepare them to become future leaders who will strengthen the relationship between Indonesia and the US.

"Our partnership is built on a foundation of shared democratic values and common interests, including education, sharing expertise, and innovation to create a brighter future. The special 70th Youth Ambassador program is just one example of that," said US Ambassador to Indonesia Joseph R. Donovan Jr.

Diplomatic relations between Indonesia and the United States were officially established on December 28, 1949, and are now at the Strategic Partnership stage.

Such a partnership is an important milestone for Indonesia and the US to jointly share the responsibility of finding solutions to global challenges, while strengthening strategic cooperation between the two countries.

To enliven the 70th Anniversary of the RI-US bilateral relations, a number of activities in Indonesia and the US have been planned, and each of them will be carried out by Indonesian Representatives in the US, and US representatives in Indonesia.

Activities in Indonesia and the US will be carried out in several cities and in cooperation with various universities and the local governments. All of these activities are aimed at strengthening relations between the two countries, to further embrace and educate the public, and strengthen the foundation of Indonesia-US cooperation for future generations. (ant)

Senior Advisor to the Vice President for Women and Family Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran Zahra Java said she would try to adopt Indonesia's home industry programs in her country.

"We will invite the Indonesian delegation to Iran to share the best practices," Zahra said at the closing ceremony of an event on sharing the best practices of home industries here on Wednesday.

Zahra hoped that both countries could support each other with regard to women's empowerment and gender mainstreaming.

A memorandum of understanding, on the cooperation between the two countries in the areas of women's empowerment, family security and child protection, was agreed upon when the Indonesian Minister of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection, Yohana Susana Yembise, visited Iran in July 2018.

Meanwhile, Head of Planning and Data Bureau of the Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Fakih Usman stated that sharing the best practices adopted over the home industry program was part of Indonesia's commitment to the Iranian government, according to the MoU.

"The Indonesian government is committed toward advancing gender equality in Indonesia," he said. (ant)

The delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran visited Rembang District, Central Java, on April 9, 2019, to learn first hand the best practices in Tritunggal and Pasarbanggi villages as pilot programs on the home industry.

Meanwhile, Head of Rembang District Abdul Hafidz said the home industry program could not only increase the local economy, but also prevent women from working as migrant workers abroad.

The hundreds of trillions of rupiahs that have been rolled out by the central government for village development for almost the last five years are a manifestation of the country's presence in the development of villages and communities. President Joko Widodo said, building villages that exist throughout Indonesia, is the same as building this country.

This was conveyed by the President while attending the Indonesian Village Government National Gathering event held at the Indoor Tennis Stadium, Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta, on Wednesday, April 10, 2019.

"The village is always in my mind and heart. Not because I come from the village, not only that. But in my opinion building a village means building Indonesia," he said.

For information, up to 2019, a total of Rp257 trillion in budget has been channeled by the central government to villages throughout Indonesia, reaching 74,900 villages. The budget is intended for villages to have adequate resources to develop their own territory.

"So if the government since 2015 disbursed IDR 20 trillion in village funds, 2016 IDR 47 trillion, 2017 IDR 60 trillion, 2018 IDR 60 trillion, and this year 2019 IDR 70 trillion is correct and mandatory. We have not paid attention to the village for years," he said.

The President said, the key to the success of village development also means that there are two successes in building a country. The first is that leadership that truly understands the governance that is beneath it simultaneously brings it towards the birth of innovation and progress. Then secondly, leadership that cares about the development of Indonesian human resources in all its regions, including rural areas. (biro pers )