Live Streaming
Program Highlight
Company Profile
Daniel
15
November
November
Japan Anticipates Tough Challenge from Indonesia as World Cup Qualification Nears
Published in International News
VOInews, Tokyo: Japan’s head coach Hajime Moriyasu expects a challenging match against Indonesia, whose team features players born in Europe, in their upcoming World Cup qualifying game in Jakarta.
Ranked 15th in the FIFA standings, Japan currently leads Group C with an unbeaten record of three wins and one draw. A win over Indonesia in front of 78,000 fans in Jakarta would bring Japan closer to securing their eighth consecutive World Cup spot.
While Indonesia is considered the underdog, sitting fifth in their group, they have shown resilience with spirited draws against strong teams like Australia, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain. “The game tomorrow will be tough as Indonesia will likely play defensively, so we need to be very aggressive,” Moriyasu stated. “Our goal is to be the champion. We’re ready to fight hard tomorrow.”
The top two teams from each of the three groups in Asia’s third qualifying round will secure spots in the 2026 World Cup, to be held in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. Teams finishing third and fourth will advance to another qualifying round.
Japan reached the World Cup Round of 16 in 2022 but was eliminated by Croatia in a penalty shootout. Indonesia, meanwhile, has only qualified once, participating as the Dutch East Indies.
Japan captain Wataru Endo, who has seen limited playing time with Liverpool, assured fans of his readiness. “I’ve been working hard, so my condition is good,” said the 31-year-old midfielder. “I’ll give 100% tomorrow.”
Indonesia’s South Korean coach Shin Tae-yong expressed confidence, aiming to surprise the top-ranked Asian team. “The players and I are preparing for a match without regrets,” Shin said. “No one can predict the outcome.”
Thursday’s 0-0 draw between Australia and Saudi Arabia further boosted Indonesia’s chances. “That result benefits us,” Shin commented. “Besides Japan, the rest of the teams are closely matched, and I feel that luck is on our side.”
Indonesia’s strategy of recruiting Dutch-born players for their national team has recently led to improved performances, with as many as 10 Dutch-born players included in recent squads. “The Indonesian national team is very different from before,” Moriyasu acknowledged.
Source: AFP
15
November
November
VOInews, Denpasar: Several airlines have resumed flights to Bali after suspending them due to a massive eruption from a nearby volcano.
On Wednesday, Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki erupted, sending a nine-kilometer (5.6-mile) column of ash into the sky, resulting in the cancellation of 83 international flights, according to Bali’s international airport. Over the past two weeks, the volcano has erupted more than a dozen times, leading to the evacuation of thousands and claiming at least nine lives.
Australia’s Qantas Group announced that its airlines Qantas and Jetstar would restart their Bali services, citing "improved" conditions. Two delayed Qantas flights from Wednesday were expected to take off on Thursday. “We will continue to monitor the changing conditions and volcanic activity,” Qantas said in a statement.
AirAsia also planned to resume some flights to and from Bali later in the day, while Virgin Australia stated on its website that it would restart services to Denpasar starting Thursday. Singapore’s airline Scoot rescheduled flights from Singapore to Bali and Surabaya, adjusting for the ongoing volcanic activity.
As of early Thursday morning, Bali’s airport reported 32 more international flight cancellations, noted airport general manager Ahmad Syaugi Shahab. However, he mentioned that ash from Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki had begun moving away from the airport by Wednesday evening, raising hopes for resuming more flights.
“We hope affected passengers can resume their travel on Thursday,” Ahmad added.
Mount Lewotobi erupted again overnight, with visible ash columns and lava flows. Meanwhile, the airport in Labuan Bajo, a nearby tourist area, reopened on Thursday, as confirmed on its Instagram account.
The volcano, known as “Laki-Laki” (meaning “man” in Indonesian), is paired with a more dormant neighboring peak, named after the Indonesian word for “woman.”
Bali’s economy relies heavily on tourism, but Indonesia sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where tectonic activity often causes earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
Source: AFP
08
November
November
VOInews, Jakarta: Under its presidency of the European Union, Hungary has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening ties with ASEAN and Indonesia in particular as part of efforts to build global economic stability and mutual prosperity. This commitment was expressed by Hungary's Ambassador to Indonesia, Lilla Karsay, during the 68th Hungarian Revolution and Independence Day reception held on the evening of Thursday, November 7, 2024, in Jakarta.
"As Hungary currently holds the presidency of the European Union, we have a unique opportunity to deepen, the ASEAN-EU relationship, with a particular emphasis on Indonesia as a leading ASEAN economy," Ambassador Karsay stated. "Our presidency underscores the EU’s commitment to enhancing connections with Asia, promoting trade investment, and sustainable development. We view ASEAN, and specifically Indonesia, as a crucial partner in ensuring a prosperous and stable global economy."
In her speech, Karsay also highlighted Hungary’s role in bridging cooperation between the EU and Asia, particularly in the sectors of trade and sustainable investment. By prioritizing Indonesia as the largest ASEAN country, Hungary aims to unlock further opportunities for economic collaboration that will benefit both parties.
As part of this commitment, various collaborative projects between Hungary and Indonesia are ongoing. One such project is Budapest Waterworks, which has built 36 clean water management facilities across several regions in Indonesia. This initiative stands as a tangible example of the two nations’ collaboration in vital infrastructure development that directly benefits local communities.
Hungary is also involved in advancing Indonesia’s transportation infrastructure system, and has made a $300 million investment to implement a contactless payment system (Multi Lane Free Flow, MLFF) on Indonesian toll roads. This technology is expected to reduce traffic congestion at toll gates while enhancing national transportation efficiency. (Daniel/VOI)
08
November
November
Hungary Backs Indonesia’s Infrastructure Development with Contactless Toll Payment Technology
Published in Indonesia Today
VOInews, Jakarta: Hungary commended Indonesia’s initiative to adopt contactless payment technology, known as Multi Lane Free Flow (MLFF), for its toll road system. To support the success of this seamless toll payment system, Hungary has invested $300 million USD, equivalent to approximately 4.5 trillion rupiah. This statement was delivered by the Hungarian Ambassador to Indonesia, Lilla Karsay, during the Hungarian Revolution Day reception on Thursday evening (November 7) in Jakarta.
"Hungary is proud to contribute to Indonesia's ambition to the Multi Lane Free Flow electronics top payment system/ our largest ever technology transfer export project and USD 300 million investment," said Ambassador Karsay. She underscored the scale of this export as Hungary’s largest technological venture in Indonesia. It is expected to significantly improve efficiency and accelerate toll payment processes across the country.
Quoting from Public Works and Housing Ministry, MLFF system could help address Indonesia’s notorious tollgate congestion, which has reportedly cost the nation up to IDR 4 trillion each year. By allowing vehicles to pass through toll gates without stopping, the MLFF technology aims to smooth traffic flow and alleviate bottlenecks.
Ambassador Karsay also highlighted the success of the 5th Hunindotech Business Forum, held a day prior on November 6, 2024, in Jakarta. The forum brought together business leaders and experts across various sectors, including education, healthcare, cybersecurity, agrotechnology, and financial technology (fintech), fostering cross-sector collaboration to support Indonesia’s strategic sectors.
"As Hungary currently holds the presidency of the European Union/ we have a unique opportunity to deepen/ the ASEAN-EU relationship with a particular emphasis on Indonesia as a leading ASEAN economy. Our presidency underscores the EU's commitment to strengthening connections with Asia/ fostering trade investment and sustainable development. We see ASEAN and Indonesia in particular as critical partners in ensuring a prosperous and stable global economy."
This partnership reflects Hungary’s strong commitment to actively support Indonesia’s Vision 2045 development goals, also known as the Indonesia Emas (Golden Indonesia) initiative. Through technology transfer and cross-sector collaborations, Hungary hopes to contribute meaningfully to Indonesia’s development, particularly in the infrastructure and technology sectors. (Daniel/VOI)