VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, has become a megalopolis. With its approximately 10 million populations, Jakarta grows narrower thanks to new housing and great urbanization. In addition, high economic growth gives birth to new problems such as traffic jam and flood – from people living at the riversides. Another problem is that the development is overly focused on Java Island.

In response to this, Indonesian President Joko Widodo in a limited meeting on Monday (29/4) had decided to seriously relocate the nation’s capital due to the increasing density of Jakarta. President Joko Widodo views that the study of capital relocation does not include sociology and socio-politic aspects only. As a great nation, the President added that Indonesia wants to have separated seat of government from centres of economy, business, and trade.

Previously, Minister of National Development Planning, Bambang Brodjonegoro said that President Joko Widodo would decide to relocate Indonesian capital outside Java Island. He further explained that the National Development Planning Agency had concluded three criteria of the capital relocation. First, it stays in Jakarta with building special block for government around National Monument. Second, it moves to outside Jakarta with radius around 60 kilometres. Third, it goes away from Java Island. The capital city must be strategic and as far as possible from natural disaster threats.

Meanwhile, in the limited forum on capital relocation, Dean of Gadjah Mada University Technical Faculty, Nizam said that the capital candidate must be in region with high heterogeneity to minimize social and cultural conflict potential. It also must consider migration effect, since it can create marginalization of local people and social conflict.

Capital city relocation plan had been initiated by first President of Indonesia, Soekarno who named Palangkaraya, Central Kalimantan as the new capital in 1957. Soekarno saw Palangkaraya because it is located at the middle of Indonesia. However, it remained as an idea until Soekarno’s successors.

It’s not the first time for capital relocation idea to create pros and cons. On one hand, careful considerations of cost during difficult economy as well as movement of State Civil Apparatus and their family are required.

On the other hand, the relocation opens space for government activities far from business and economy. So, the government can be more focused on governmental issues. Besides, the relocation should help boosting development outside Java Island.

The month of Ramadanthat started last May 6, is a holy month for Muslims all over the world. They look forward to it when people would fast and try to do more good deeds. However, in Ramadan 1440 H, this year, Palestinian Muslims in Gaza are in mourning. The Israeli bomb attack launched since Monday night, not only disrupted the devotion of worship but claimed lives and caused damage and injuries. The atmosphere of welcoming Ramadhan in the Gaza Strip was filled with grief, wounds and tears. As a result of Israeli attacks at least 12 Palestinians died. The Israelis themselves denied that some of the victims who died were caused by their attacks. 
Chronologically the tension that broke out into war occurred on Friday, when Palestinians in Gaza rallied against the blockade by Israeli soldiers. In the incident it was reported, a Palestinian wounded two Israeli soldiers near the border wall. Israel then responded with an air strike that left two members of Hamas forces dead. Israel thenbegan bombarding Gaza.
Reaction came from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan related to the destruction of the building which was the location of the Turkish news agency Anadolu. Erdogan, through his comments on Twitter, as reported by the AFP news agency stated that Turkey and the Anadolu news agency would continue to tell the world about Israeli atrocities in Gaza and other parts of Palestine.
 
The question is then, what is the reaction of the international community over the turmoil and Israeli attack on the Palestinian territories in Gaza? Some countries see the crisis in Gaza as a problem between the Hamas militant group and the Israeli military. Because of that, a ceasefire, and guarantee that there will be no attack will depend on Hamas and the Israeli military. But the real issue of Palestine is not just Hamas and Israeli military affairs. Recognition of sovereign Palestine is the only solution. That is a commitment that must be realized and encouraged through various efforts and negotiations.
 
The Palestinians, has longed to live peacefully without fear of the threat of Israeli soldiers , who often carry out blind attacks in the Gaza Strip. As happened before and in the early days of Ramadan this year. A sad irony, when Muslims all over the world welcomed Ramadan with joy, Palestinian Muslims in Gaza worshiped in danger and the shadows of Israel's deadly attacks.

Indonesia has begun to show its leadership in the UN Security Council. The Indonesian leadership is represented by Ambassador, Dian Triansyah Djani, Indonesia's permanent envoy to the United Nations. On Monday, May 6, 2019 local time, Dian Triansyah Djani as the President of the UN Security Council in May 2019 accompanied Secretary General of the United Nations to ignite an eternal fire in a bid to commemorate the services of UN personnel who failed to fight for peace. Two of the deceased were Indonesian citizens, the late Chief Private, Nasri Bin Bahri, a member of the UN Peace Mission in Darfur and the late Harina Hafitz from the World Food Program.

Today, May 7, 2019, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Retno Marsudi leads the UN Security Council Open Session. With the theme "Investing in Peace: Improving Safety and Performance of the Peacekeeping UN, the United Nations enhances the security and safety of UN peacekeepers. This has become one of Indonesia's focuses. Given the track record and capacity of Indonesia, interest, domestic support and other members of the United Nations, as well as the challenges faced by the UN Security Council, the distribution of Indonesian forces to the UN ranks 8th out of 124 participating countries. According to data from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Indonesia has sent 3,080 personnel; 106 are women. Indonesia targets to place 4,000 personnel in various UN peace missions.

The Indonesian presidency in the UN Security Council is a momentum and opportunity to prove Indonesia's ability to face challenges and encourage the creation of stability and peace, especially in conflicting regions. Indonesia's progress as Chair of the UN Security Council in May 2019 is awaited by many countries. At least, the United States is looking forward to it. Deputy State of Secretary of the United States for political relations, David Hale in his meeting with Minister Retno Marsudi at the end of April 2019 said that he was waiting for Indonesia to occupy the presidency of the UN Security Council and Indonesia's strong commitment on various issues in the UN Security Council, including peacekeeping forces.

Indonesia's commitment to peacekeeping forces is undoubted. However, Indonesia cannot be alone. A major contribution to the investment in good-quality Peacekeeping Operations delivery from many parties is needed. Because the role of peacekeeping is increasingly important towards the ongoing conflicts and wars in several countries.

Hopefully, the Indonesian leadership in the UN Security Council will improve Indonesia's track record in contributing and participating in maintaining world peace, and at the same time ensuring that many parties must continue to invest in peace. So, it’s simple wish of Indonesia, as expressed by Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani, to save as many lives as possible while making peace-keeping as efficient as possible in the conflicting regions throughout the world. This must be realized and maintained. Of course, world community support is also needed.

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said that linking infrastructure projects with tourist areas, small scale industrial centers, production centers, and agricultural and plantation areas will ensure regions progress faster. Infrastructure projects such as toll roads, seaports and airports must be completed soon, Jokowi said in Jakarta on Thursday, while speaking before governors, mayors and other government officials during the opening of the 2019 National Development Planning Congress.

He said Indonesia can become the fifth or fourth largest economy in the world by 2045, but it would not be easy to achieve.

"If it (that linking infrastructure projects with tourist areas) cannot be done, don't ever dream (of seeing Indonesia) become the fifth or fourth largest (economy) in the world," he said.

A strong state economy must be supported by a strong regional economy, he said.

Tourism Minister Arief Yahya who attended the opening ceremony of the congress said the tourism industry needs support from other sectors to grow. Hence, support from the infrastructure sector, as instructed by President Jokowi, is a must, he added.

"The Tourism Ministry is ready to support efforts to develop tourist destinations in regions, as instructed by President Jokowi," he said.