VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Exploring Indonesia is not complete if you do not visit historical heritage such as temple. One of the historical heritages which is not popular for tourist, is Arjuna temple. Arjuna temple was built around 8th century by Sanjaya Dynasty from ancient Mataram. Arjuna temple is one of temples at Arjuna temple complex in Dieng. At the complex, there is also Semar, Srikandi, Puntadewa, and Sembadra temples. Arjuna temple is located at the Northern most of the temple’s complex. Meanwhile, Semar temple is perwara temple or complementary of Arjuna temple. Those two temples face each other. Like temples in general in Dieng, local people named them with the names of puppet figures of Mahabarata. Dieng people who work as potato’s farmers, use the land surrounding the temple. But since 2010 Dieng people have realized the importance of respecting the historical heritages. So, they change the land surrounding the temples to become more beautiful and make it as one of the mainstay tourism destinations of Banjarnegara regency.The change is also marked by the implementation of Dieng Culture Festival that promotes Arjuna temple as the main place forcutting dread ritual or known as wedus gembel. Starting in 2010 Arjuna temple complex is used to develop tourism destination which is managed by Banjarnegara Tourism Office and Tourism Awareness Group. Tourist will not find statues at Arjuna temple, but those statues are stored neatly in Kailasa Museum which is located across the temple’s complex. To maintain the temple is conducted by re-arranged the temples’ stones which collapsed due to the weather that sometimes reaches minus 11 Celsius. The low temperature is caused by the location of the temple which is on the slope of Mt. Perau and Sindoro. The cold air brings thick fog at the surrounding of the temple with visibility ony 10 footsteps. So, if you have a plan to visit Arjuna temple in August or September, please prepare yourself with winter’s equipment.

The plan of the United States to place ground missiles in the Asian region could trigger an escalation of tension between countries, especially in Asia. The pros and cons on Washington's intention arose after US Defense Secretary Mark Esper put forward the plan during a recent visit to Australia. Mark Esper announced that the United States government would soon place ground missiles which  range could reach 5,500 kilometers. The statement was made without mentioning the country that will be the location. Earlier  Mark Esper had said America wanted to deploy its  missiles in the Pacific or Asia region. Reportedly from Canbera, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said there was no request from Washington for the missile to be placed in Australia. Meanwhile, ASEAN member countries will certainly not be willing to be the place for  US missiles. This can be ensured given the commitment of the organization of Southeast Asian countries to make the region  nuclear weapons-free. In a meeting of ASEAN Foreign Ministers in Bangkok last week, it was explicitly stated that ASEAN was a territory free of nuclear weapons. With this joint commitment, no ASEAN member will be able to accept the presence of nuclear weapons, including those planned by the United States. The United States announced the plan after last week officially resigning from Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty. with Russia that bans the use of land missiles with a range of between 500 kilometers to 5,500 kilometers. Before announcing plans to place land nuclear missiles in Asia, US Defense Secretary Mark Esper had accused China of carrying out activities that could disrupt regional stability. US allegations have been refuted by China by calling it slander. However, the end of the United States-Russia Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty., followed by Washington's statement that it will immediately place land missiles, marks an increase or escalation of tense relations between the two major nations. The United States, China and Russia in fact are trying to increase their influence in the world. All three are constantly trying to show strength and influence and increasing competition. For this reason, ASEAN as a regional organization that prioritizes stability and peace must be able to show its stance  and take strategic steps. In order to maintain balance and peace in Southeast Asia in particular and Asia in general.

Sipinsur Geosite area is viewed to have character similar with Orchid Forest in Lembang, Bandung, West Java. So, this area is considered to be destination for millennial tourists. Sipinsur Geosite is included as the main tourism destination in Humbang Hasundutan regency. Covering around 2 hectares, the area is above 1,213 meters sea level. When entering to Sipinsur Geosite, we will be welcomed with fresh air of Humbang Hasundutan hills. The gateway of the park is so beautiful and it has path around 4 meters wide which is covered with the dense pine trees at both sides. The pine forest also functions as camping ground. In addition, there is also play ground for kids. In the Sipinsur Geosite, tourists will directly face with the second island on the middle of Toba Lake namely Sibandang island. The island can be accessed in 10 until 15 minutes from Muara port and takes 30 minutes by walking to go down the hills and twist path from Sipinsur Geosite. Sipinsur Geosite is easily accessed. It is only 18 kilometers from Sisingamangaja XII International airport, Silangit in Siborong-borong, North Tapanuli. Going by can take around 30 minutes. It is through hamlet and monuments of Batak Toba tombs, and swamps where we can see wallow buffalo and Lintong coffee plantation as long as Lintongnihuta region.

Indonesian embassy in Ukraine is building replica of Borobudur stupa in Kyiv. The replica is built to complete the beauty of Indonesian Park area which was built at National Botanical Garden M. M. Gryshko area two years ago. Indonesian Ambassador to Ukraine, Yuddy Chrisnandi as initiator of the replica development said that the inauguration of the replica will be conducted on August 17, coinciding with the anniversary of the 74th Indonesian independence. The major event will be packaged in Indonesian cultures’ atmosphere and held for 3 days starting from August 16-18, 2019.

Governor of Yogyakarta, Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X became one of panelists in Indonesia-Russia Business Forum held in Moscow, Russia on Thursday (1/8). The business forum had a topic 'Towards Indonesia-Russia Strategic Partnership: Bridging Fruitful Collaboration through Tourism, Trade and Investment.’ The forum, which was initiated by the Indonesian embassy in Moscow, was a series of Indonesian festival held from August 2 until 4, 2019.  Governor Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono also explained various kinds of potential of Yogyakarta and offered investment opportunity in the region with simplicity and security.

Agricultural Institute of Bogor established cooperation with Agricultural Research Agency of China. The cooperation entitles ‘Smart Agriculture’. In a press release of the Agricultural Institute of Bogor on Thursday (1/8), Rector of the institute, Arif Satria made a visit to some institutions of agricultural development 4.0 in China starting July 29-30, 2019. To face global food issue, Rector Arif emphasized the importance of cooperation to make some visits to several institutions of agricultural development 4.0 at the ‘Smart Agriculture’. Rector Arif signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the Agricultural Institute of Bogor and Fujian Academic of Agricultural Sciences (FAAS).