VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesia has been named as the world's best halal tourist destination based upon Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) 2019, outclassing 130 destinations across the world.

Mastercard-Crescent rating agency put Indonesia on the first place based on GMTI standard, with a score of 78, along with Malaysia on the upper ranking, Crescent Rating CEO Fazal Bahardeen while delivering a GMTI Report 2019 said in Jakarta on Tuesday.

"Indonesia is the only country which is most aggressively to develop halal tourist destination," he said.

As the world's best halal tourist destination, Indonesia has gradually improved its ranking from sixth in 2015, to fourth in 2016, third in 2017, second in 2018 and first in 2019, he said.

To become the best tourist destination in the world, Indonesia has made serious efforts by, among others, adopting Indonesia Muslim Travel Index (IMTI) which refers to GMTI standard, he said.

The GMTI report analyzes halal tourism based on four criteria including access, communication, environment and services, of which IMTI has also adopted

Indonesia has also aggressively provided technical coaching and organized workshop to operators of 10 excellent halal tourist destinations in the country.

Indonesian Tourism Minister Arief Yahya who also attended the function marking the release of GMTI Report 2019 praised Mastercard –Crescent Global Muslim Travel Index for giving the highest score to Indonesia.

"Eventually, what we have dreamed of Indonesia being the world's best halal tourist destination has come true. This proves that we must make a plan to achieve victory," he said.

With Indonesia ranking first as halal tourist destination, the minister expressed hope that more and more foreign tourists will visit Indonesia.

Indonesia has targeted to attract 20 million tourists this year, of which 5 million will travel to the country on halal tourism.

Director of Mastercard Indonesia Tommy Singgih said halal tourism market is one of the tourism segments which recorded the fastest growth in the world.

Halal tourism's contribution to the global economy is projected to jump 35 percent to US$300 billion in 2020 from US$220 billion in 2016.

The 10 best halal tourist destinations include Indonesia and Malaysia with a score of 78, Turkey (75), Saudi Arabia (72), United Arab Emirates (71), Qatar (68), Marocco (67), Bahrain (66), Oman (66), and Brunei Darussalam (65). (ant)

The history of the Air Force began with the formation of the People's Security Agency (BKR) on August 23, 1945, to strengthen the Air Fleet which at that time was very short of airplanes and other facilities. In line with its development, it changed to the People's Security Army (TKR) on October 5, 1945 under the name TKR Aviation Office under the leadership of Air Commodore Suryadi Suryadarma. On January 23, 1946 the TKR was upgraded to TRI. As a continuation of the development of the Air Force's buds, then on April 9, 1946 the Flight Bureau TRI was abolished and replaced with the Republic of Indonesia Air Force which is now commemorated as the birth day of the Indonesian Air Force which was inaugurated simultaneously with the establishment of the Indonesian National Army (TNI). Source: http://www.tni-au.mil.id/sejarah.asp

Indonesia will file a lawsuit with the European Court, if the Delegated Regulation Supplementing Directive of the EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED) II, which will impact palm oil, is finally approved by the EU parliament.

Coordinating Minister of Maritime Luhut Panjaitan said that the government will keep trying to negotiate over the discrimination of palm oil by the EU in order to fight for the small palm oil farmers, who will be affected by these policies.

“Along with Malaysia, we would like to avoid those regulations; of course, negotiation is ongoing with the EU. But, if this continues, we might have to go to the European Court, or the World Trade Organization (WTO),” he said to reporters in Jakarta on Monday.

According to the minister, the process of applying for a lawsuit in the European Court is shorter and more effective than it is at the WTO, which may take years to process.

Another option, such as leaving the Paris Agreement, is also being considered in a bid to counter the pressure of the EU.

"Another option would be leaving the Paris Agreement. America and Brazil have done it, why can’t we? Indonesia is one of the largest producers of this oil, along with Brazil and Columbia. Columbia also has a large palm oil forest, so these developing countries might also be affected,” he stated.

To counter the anticipated reduction of demand in the EU market, Indonesia will target other markets and continue to boost the use of palm oil in Indonesia.

“B20, B30, until B100 or green energy will be encouraged further,” Panjaitan noted.

A joint letter signed by Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, raising objections on the discrimination of palm oil products and their derivatives has also been sent to the EU.

The objections were conveyed on behalf of palm oil farmers, whose lives depend on the industry.

Indonesia and Malaysia together supply 85 percent of palm oil products in the world. (ant)

Muhammad Shohibul Fikri And Bagas Maulana Win The Men's Double Final Match In Finnish Open 2019, Energia Areena, Vanta, Finland, 7 April 2019.  Indonesian Muhammad Shohibul Fikri And Bagas Maulana, Indonesia 21-17 21-17 win Against Jones Ralfy Jansen And Peter Kaesbauer, Germany.  In this tournament, Indonesia has 3 double on Final. Men's Double and Mix Double Win on the final. Women's Double Febriana Dwipuji Kusuma and Ribka Sugiharto  end runner up (kbri helsinki)