VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Ministry of Industry is currently holding the International Moslem Fashion Expo (IMFE) which has taken place from 1^st-6^th of October 2018 at the Industrial Plaza, Ministry of Industry in Jakarta. Minister of Industry, Airlangga Hartarto remarked at the opening ceremony of the exhibition in Jakarta on Monday that the IMFE is a concrete effort implemented by the Ministry of Industry to make Indonesia as the World’s Muslim Fashions orientation in 2020. Minister Airlangga said that Indonesia has a lot of opportunities to be the World’s Muslim Fashion orientation, remembering that Indonesia is the country with the largest Muslim populations. The Global Islamic Economy has predicted that the growth of the World Muslim Fashion Market will reach US$ 327 billion dollars in 2020. It also said that Indonesia is one of the five major members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation exporting the most Muslim Fashion products besides Bangladesh, Turkey, Morocco, and Pakistan. In 2017, Bangladesh as the member of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation exported the most Muslim Fashion products worth US$33.73 billion dollars, followed by Turkey on the second position with the value of US$12.76 billion dollars, and Indonesia on the third position with the value of US$ 12.23 billion dollars. Minister Airlangga further explained that the markets of Muslim Fashion products have become more diversified as the growing number of Indonesian and global Muslim populations. Meanwhile, General Director of the Small-Medium Enterprises at the Ministry of Industry, Gati Wibawaningsih said that the IMFE is organized by the collaboration between Ministry of Industry and the designers joining the Modest Fashion Team Project (MOFP). She also said that the exhibition aims at realizing the vision of making Indonesia as the World’s Muslim Fashion Orientation in 2020.

Iraq carried out the first parliamentary election in May this year. The result of the election was not immediately announced, because disputes occurred among the participants of the general election. This is the first election in Iraq, since ISIS, which controlled Iraq, could be defeated. Based on the result of this election, none of the parties won absolutely. Among 329 parliamentary seats, the clerical group Shia, Moqtada Al Sadr won 54 parliamentary seats, the Shiite group won 47 seats and the former Prime Minister Alliance Group, Haider al Abadi won 42 seats. The remaining was  won by other groups, including Kurdish parties. In accordance with conventions made since the United States intervened in the Iraqi issue, the President's position will be held by the Kurds, the Prime Minister by the Shiites and the Speaker of Parliament by the Sunnis. However, there is no agreement on who the Kurdish representative  becomes president. This has made two Kurdish parties: the Democratic Party of Kurdistan and the Kurdistan Patriotic Union in parliament propose their respective candidates. Voting was conducted to determine who the President of Iraq is. As a result, Barham Salih, a veteran politician who was the Deputy Minister won 219 votes against 22 votes obtained by Fuad Hussein. Salih has 15 days to appoint a Prime Minister. During the next 2 weeks, Salih will move quickly by appointing a senior Shia politician, Adel Abdul Mahdi as the prime minister who has 30 days to form a government. Although no one is a majority winner in the parliament, and there may be challenges in forming a government. This is good news for the democratic festivity in Iraq. We do not expect any more splitting in Iraq because heavy duty awaits anyone who is the leader of Iraq. Rebuilding Iraq that was destroyed by war requires hard work by all parties.

The Japanese government helps provide salted-fish drying machines for fishermen in Belitung. This was conveyed in a written statement made by the Japanese embassy in Jakarta on Wednesday (3/10). The handover of the drying machines as a grant from the Japanese government took place in Sijuk sub-district, Belitung Regency, Bangka Belitung Province. The handover was attended by Secretary II of the Japanese Embassy, Kazuho Yoshida, Head of Subdirectory of Foreigners' Supervision and Foreigners' Institution at the Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry, Masykur, Regent of Belitung, Sahani Saleh, and Chairman of the Belitung Youths' Works (Karya Muda Belitung), Suryandaru. The project was a part of grassroots grants from the Japanese Government , with the value Rp 717 million and was signed by the Japanese Government and Chairman of the Belitung Youths' Works in March 2018. In Belitung Regency, Bangka Belitung Province, 50% of the fish are made into processed foods to be sold at markets. However, the weather condition often destabilizes fish-processing industry which complicates the small-scale fishermen. Through the project, the Japanese Government gave 10 fish drying machines consisting of 5 big and 5 small ones in a bid to develop the fishermen's welfare in six villages in Sijuk Sub-district. The Japanese Government hopes the aid can improve the small-scale fishermen's welfare. Therefore, the fishery industry and other related industries in Belitung can develop further.

Multimedia Nusantara University (UMN) in Serpong, Banten Regency has now an artificial intelligence laboratory that contributes not only the students but also industries. Rector of Multimedia Nusantara University, Ninik Leksono said in Tangerang Regency, Banten on Wednesday that the laboratory would be utilized to print accessible scientists' data to support the advancement of industries. Ninok perceives the artificial intelligence has recently become a friend as well as the necessity in industrial fields. Multimedia Nusantara University is also committed to producing qualified human resources as data scientists, big data experts, and artificial intelligence experts. Through the cooperation, students will be trained to become data scientists who are competent in their job, even they can also have an opportunity to work in Japan.

Consulate General of the Philippines, Oscar G. Orcine and his entourage attended the invitation of the former Ternate Sultan's son, Firman Mudaffar Syah on Wednesday (3/10) in a bid to discuss economic potentials in North Maluku and to establish cooperation. Orcine said that he and his entourage also visited the sultanate to discuss the economic potentials and the efforts of establishing mutual cooperation between the Philippines and North Maluku. Besides holding important meeting with the Sultanate's side, Regional Government and the Subsidiary of Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI) in Ternate, the Philippines' Consulate General and his entourage also visited the palace (Keraton) of Ternate Sultanate, Tolire Lake, and witnessed the cultural attractions: Katreji Dance and the Baramsuwen Bambu Gila (Crazy Bamboo) attraction. Finally, they ended their visit by having a Gala Dinner at the hall of the small Keraton. According to Oscar, his side would like to establish trade route through the roll-on-roll ship whose operation had been inaugurated by President Joko Widodo some time ago. The discussion in regard to building the cooperation was also held between Indonesian Embassy to the Philippines, Sinyo Sarondajang and The Philippines' Embassy to Indonesia. Meanwhile, Firman Mudaffar Syah said that the selection of coconut as the main commodity of export is that basically the cooperation was also implemented several years ago. Besides coconut, the Philippines' Consulate General is also interested in seaweed as the commodity has high value.

Chairperson of the National Craft Council of Jambi, Province, Ariansyah said that batik from Jambi is more popular, especially in Indonesia. Ariansyah, who is also Head of Industry and Trade Office of Jambi, explained to Antara on Tuesday (2/10) that Jambi’s batik is well known in Indonesia because of its beautiful motifs and color. He believed batik from Jambi will be more famous along with coaching and the empowerment of batik craftsman by the provincial or regional/city government of Jambi. Moreover, in every national event, the provincial government or the regional/city government of Jambi always participates in the promotion of batik of Jambi by facilitating the needs of the craftsman. Ariansyah suggested the craftsman to produce their own brand in order to be able to get patent.

Police Chief of Maluku, Inspector General Royke Lumowa, finally launched a program “ A day without motor vehicle”. The determination was officially planned after the police chief and his vice chief, supervision inspector and police personnel went to office by using bicycle on Tuesday (2/10). Cycling in complete uniform becomes a rare and the first time happening in Maluku.  Royke Lumowa hoped the program can overcome traffic jam, decrease air pollution and increase health. Every Tuesday, police staffs of Maluku are forbidden to ride motor vehicle to go to their office, they are only allowed to ride city’s transportation, bicycle, or walking. The program is hoped to motivate all people’s elements, so it is created “Populist healthy transportation”. In additional to overcoming the traffic jam, the program is also part of healthy life style.

One of Cirebon young entrepreneur who moves in Batik clothes, Ibnu Riyanto, told RRI Cirebon, on Tuesday (2/10), that Batik is Indonesian cultural heritage which should be preserved. Ibnu Riyanto insisted in improving and developing his batik business well and gives good image on Batik Trusmi Cirebon as pride to national and international level. Indonesian famous Fashion Designer fromCirebonArief Rachmanto, said that he is proud to be able to wearbatik in every his works. Arif Rachmanto also said, momentum of National Batik Day which falls on October 2nd, must be able to be a milestone to promote people’s love on the heritage of the Indonesianancestor. The world’s recognition on batik as the Indonesian heritage, must also be sounded to make international worldknow on batik. Riyanto hoped all Indonesian people can love batik in their daily life and becomes their own characteristic, and one of daily fashion for Indonesian people.