VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

 Indonesia and Egypt have forged cooperation in counterterrorism marked by the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Indonesian Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) and the Egyptian Home Affairs Ministry.

The MoU was signed by BNPT Chief Commissioner General Suhardi Alius and Egyptian Home Affairs Minister Major General Mahmoud Tawfik in Cairo on Tuesday (Feb 26).

Indonesian Ambassador to Egypt Helmy Fauzi and Main Secretary of BNPT Asep Adang Supriyadi were present during the signing ceremony.

Alius cautioned that radical groups have changed their strategy in recruiting supporters of their actions and use the social media to recruit, brainwash, propagate, and transfer their ideology.

"This strategy is an easy alternative for radical groups to spread their influence transnationally," he noted in a statement on Wednesday.

The radical terrorist network in Indonesia is highly influenced by dynamism and development of global terrorists, particularly those in the Middle East, he stated.

Hence, it is not surprising if several members of the Indonesian terrorism network joined ISIS. Moreover, ISIS` influence in Asia exists in the three countries of Indonesia, the Philippines, and Malaysia.

"This is the time for Indonesia and Egypt to establish cooperation in the fight against terrorism and violence-based terrorism," Alius affirmed.

The signing of the MoU on counterterrorism was initiated in 2013, according to Ambassador Fauzi.

Earlier, the BNPT had sent delegations thrice, respectively in 2013, November 2014, and March 2018, to discuss the draft of the MoU.

"We believe that both Indonesia and Egypt could learn from each other`s experiences in counterterrorism, as terrorism is a transnational crime," he added. (ant) 

 Indonesia emerged as the winner of the AFF U-22 Championships after beating Thailand 2-1 in the finals at the Phnom Penh National Stadium on Tuesday night.  Indonesia`s two goals, from Sani Rizki Fauzi and Osvaldo Ardiles Haay, buried Thailand`s lead in the finals.

This is the second time that Indra Sjafri has taken Indonesia to win the AFF, having won the AFF U-19 championship in 2013.

Thailand`s Saringkan Promsupa scored a goal in the 57th minute through a header.

Indonesia equalized in the 59th minute through Fauzi who made a speculative shoot from outside the penalty area. The ball hit the Thai defender before Fauzi converted into a goal.

Indonesia scored the second goal in the 64th minute through Haay.

President Joko Widodo wants power plants in Indonesia not to depend on the energy of fossil fuels. He also revealed plans to develop a power plant with new and renewable energy. The intention and plan was affirmed when he inaugurated the 1x660 Megawatt Expansion Power Plant in Cilacap, Central Java on Monday (25/02).

Indonesia has begun to develop power plants with new and renewable energy. President Joko WI dodo took an example; until now power plants with wind, water, and even steam have been developed in various regions in Indonesia. One of them is wind power plants in Sidrap and Jeneponto, South Sulawesi.

President Joko Widodo's wish is not hope without strong reason. Indonesia has great potential in new and renewable energy. As a tropical country in the equatorial region, Indonesia's solar energy potential is abundant to be processed into solar power plants. Indonesian rivers with large volumes and fast flowing have also great potential as renewable energy sources to produce electricity.

Moreover, Indonesia has expressed its commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 29 percent by 2030. The Indonesian government has also targeted a portion of the mix of new renewable energy use to reach 23 percent in 2025, and processing waste into an energy source.

At least, the desire without energy of fossil fuels has begun to be carried out by operating 12 waste power plants from 2019 to 2022. The 12 plants will be able to produce up to 234 megawatts of electricity from around 16 thousand tons of waste per day.

Unfortunately, there are still some obstacles in the development of this new and renewable energy. In Indonesia, the process of converting new and renewable energy into electricity requires substantial costs, especially related to the infrastructure. Meanwhile, State Electric Company, PT PLN as a seller of electricity services must sell electricity at affordable prices.

Realizing this condition, awareness of empowering natural resources to produce electricity must be increased. In mountainous areas, for example, river flows can be used to produce electricity through micro-hydro technology.

With its huge potential, Indonesia must be aware of realizing the new and renewable energy. Regulations must be enacted and provision of incentives must be provided for any investors to develop the new and renewable energy so that the target of new renewable energy in the national energy mix in Indonesia to reach 23 percent by 2025 can be achieved.

Even though it is still in February, the government has announced about the grant of 2019 holiday allowance (THR). The Ministry of Finance (Kemenkeu) has even confirmed that the holiday allowance for the state civil apparatus (ASN) will be paid in May 2019 in accordance with the plan. Based on written information on Saturday (02/23/2019), the Ministry of Finance said that the THR would be given before Idul Fitri arrives.

The reason is an effective working day. This year's Idul Fitri holiday will start from June 1st to 7th. Thus, the effective working day for the THR payments is in May. For this reason, the Ministry of Finance has encouraged the government to create a regulation (PP) from the Ministry of Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform as the institution that initiates the THR grant. The Ministry of Finance hopes that the government’s regulation will be in place before the 2019 General Elections are held on April 17th.

As a competitor in the 2019 General Elections, of course the government's announcement is criticized by the presidential candidate's National Winning Body (BPN) 02: Prabowo Subianto-Sandiaga Uno. They consider that President Joko Widodo intentionally announces the plan in a bid to win votes in the presidential election. Actually, they agree that in May, it’s the right time for THR or the 13th salary to be disbursed. But what they could not accept is that there is strong willingness that the regulation related to the grant of 2019 holiday allowance could be set before the presidential election.

Meanwhile, Jokowi-Ma'ruf Amin's National Campaign Team (TKN) asked the Prabowo camp not to always relate everything with politics. The National Winning team of candidate pair 01 affirmed that Jokowi is committed to paying attention to people's welfare. If paid faster, of course it is better. Consequently, the State Civil Apparatus can prepare for the feast early.

Accusing each other does not really need to happen if both parties think clearly the upcoming presidential election. Isn't choice a personal right? Voters will freely vote for any candidates who are good according to their hearts.

Of course, there is something more important than just questioning the announcement of the THR that is considered faster. It would be fine if the two sides discuss how to make this year's the grant of 2019 holiday allowance not be followed by price hike, especially the price of staple foods.