VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesia Bridge Team triumphed in “36^th International Bridge Festival ALBENA 2018” with four gold medals, two silver, and five bronze. According to a written statement quoted by Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jakarta, Wednesday (3/7), the national bridge athletes with four national coaches participated in the event held from June 19 until July 1. At the closing ceremony, 11 times, Indonesian athletes came on the stage of honor to receive trophies and prizes because Indonesia got a total four gold medals, two silver, and five bronze. In the event, Chairman of the Board of Supervisor of Bridge Association of Indonesia (PB GABSI and World coach from Poland, Kristov Martens who handled the Indonesian national team got the award from the committee as honor guest. While Chairman PB GABSI, got the charter as an honor guest, and obtained trophy for the 3rd Champion Mini Team paired with Daily Chief of the PB GABSI, Handojo Susanto and player from Moldova. Besides, Indonesia team was also supported by Indonesia Honorary Consul in Varna City, Krasimir Simov. The tournament was part of trials in Bulgaria and the United States to maximize achievement in the Asian Games 2018 by targeting two gold medals for Indonesia. The tournament is quite prestigious because it is a four-star international championship (out of a maximum of 5 star matches). On July 2, Indonesia team continued the trial to the United States with excellent physical and psychic conditions. Hopefully, this will further strengthen the preparations towards the Asian Games 2018.

The dry circuit track in Semarang will become an opportunity for many crossers to stand on the podium of the race to be held on Sunday (8/7).  One of them is Honda mainstay crosser, Tim Gajser who is skillful in dry circuit. At the race in Pangkal Pinang last week, Gejser was strong to compete with two KTM racers, Jefferey Herlings and Antonio Cairoli. However, both racers are more resilient in wet circuit. Besides Gajser, MXGP in Semarang can also rely on Kawasaki racer, Clement Desalle. At the race in Pangkal Pinang, Desalle won in fifth position. However, Desalle who occupies the third position of individual standings MXGP this season will also get pressure from Yamaha crosser, Romain Febvre. The French racer got the third podium in the second race at Pangkal Pinang. Promoter of MXGP Indonesia, A Judiarto said in Jakarta, Wednesday (3/7) that all supplies and motorcycles of the world and Indonesia crossers arrived in Semarang. The racing held at the MXGP circuit Bukit Semarang Baru is believed to be more crowded with spectators because the access to Semarang is relatively easier than a number of cities on the Java Island. Ticket for Semarang is better to get because more 30 thousand  tickets had been sold a few days before MXGP is held. Chairman of the Central Executive of Indonesian Motor Association –IMI, Sadikin Aksa also believed that MXGP in Semarang will be more crowded. Modes of transportation to Semarang are a lot from everywhere to Java. While the difficulty in Pangkal Pinang is now the flight. Nevertheless, Sadikin assessed the MXGP implementation in Pangkal Pinang last week was successful. Although the circuit was showered with rain, the race could still be held and went well. So far, the Youthstream as the MXGP owner also did not submit any complaints after the MXGP implementation in Pangkal Pinang.

Eight Indonesia representatives advanced to the eighth round of Blibli Indonesia Open 2018 HSBC BWF World Tour Super 1000. The men's doubles and mixed doubles sent the most representatives. Each of the three representatives was followed by a representative in the women's doubles, as well as men's singles. One of the Indonesia mainstays in getting the title is the couple -Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo / Marcus Fernaldi Gideon who won two straight games over Ong Yew Sin / Teo Ee Yi (Malaysia) with score 21-18, 21-12. Kevin/Marcus seemed to have no trouble in the second round match that took place in Istora, Thursday (5/7). Meanwhile, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Rian Ardianto become the last representative. Fajar/Rian beat the Dutch couple, Jelle Maas/Robin Tabeling with score 21-18, 19-21, 21-14. Unfortunately, Ricky Karanda Suwardi and Angga Pratama were defeated by Mads Conrad Petersen/Mads Pieler Kolding (Denmark) with score 12-21, 17-21. In the quarter final, Fajar and Rian have already waited the couple of the World Champion 2017 from China, Zhang Nan and Liu Cheng. However, Fajar/Rian recorded a 1-0 lead in a record meeting with Zhang/Liu. In Singapore Open 2017, Fajar/Rian won 21-18, 21-19. While Indonesian badminton player, Tommy Sugiarto beat the sixth-mainstay badminton player from China, Chou Tien Chen in second round of Indonesia Open in Jakarta, Thursday (5/7). Tommy became the only single Indonesian badminton player who advanced to the quarterfinals after winning with score 21-13, 14-21, and 21-18. In the quarter-finals that takes place Friday (6/7), Tommy Sugiarto faces with badminton player from Japan, Kento Momota.

Indonesia national team U-19 with four goals finally defeat the Philippines. The second match of the teams in the third match of Group A qualifying round AFF U-18 2018, in Deltras Sidoarjo Stadium on Thursday (5/7) ended with score 4-1. The result of the match made Indonesia still maintain the top of Group A. When faced the Philippines, Indonesia already looked superior. In the first half, Indonesia controlled 80 percent of the ball. However, the goalpost guarded by Muhammad Riyandi was successfully penetrated. Exactly in the 31st minute, free-kick of the Philippine midfielder, Tubigon Vergara made Indonesia lagged 0-1. The goal made by the Philippines closed the first half with 0-1. In the second half, the Indonesian players tried to strike back. The entry of midfielder, Todd Ferre replacing Risky Fendi in the 46th minute made Garuda front line increasingly active, but the Philippines defense managed to break the host aggressive game. In addition, the Garuda players often made mistakes in providing breakthrough assist. Indra Sjafrie rotated his last player in the 61st minute. Syahrian Abimanyu replaced Muhammad Luthfi Kamal. The Philippines coach, Hirata Reiji also replaced some of his midfielders.  The Philippines was trying to stay defensive against Garuda player attacks. The effort made by the Indonesia players was deadlock to score one goal. Until the 80th minute, the Philippines was still leading ahead. However, the hard work of Indonesian team paid off in the 81st minute. Saddil Ramdani who become a mainstay in hard kick into the goalpost, managed to dismantle the Philippine defense. Through left-foot hard kick from the penalty area, Saddil made a goal into the goalpost of Jessie Sambiante. The score was 1-1. One minute after the draw, a pass from Rifad Marasabessy led to defender Firza Andika who assisted the attack. The heading from PSMS Medan player silenced the Philippines again. Not enough with these two goals, in the 84th minute, Saddil again took off his hard kick and again made the Philippines lost. The score 3-1 made the defensive game of the Philippines meaningless. Until the 90^th minute, the score was still 3-1. However, the referee gave an extra four minutes. In the 90+1 minute, Todd Ferre action fulfilled Indonesia's victory to 4-1. Indonesia closed the match with the score and Indonesian still has to face the Vietnam national team on Saturday (7/7) to advance to the semifinals. In the last game of Group A, Indonesia will face Thailand on Tuesday (10/7).

Indonesia pushed Council of the UN Human Right to investigate violation on human right by Israel in occupied territory of Palestine through the appointment of member of Commission of Inquiry. This was stated by Indonesian permanent representative to the United Nations in Geneva, Ambassador Hasan Kleib, at the council assembly of Human Right Council in Geneva, on July 2, 2018. As understood, special session of the council on May 18, 2018 has agreed the establishment of Commission of Inquiry to investigate violation on human right, especially related to the violence by Israel authority on peace protest of Palestinian citizens which is begun on March 30, 2018. The violence by Israel caused 132 Palestinians killed and more than 3,000 injured. Until now, the human right council does not form the council yet. Ambassador  Kleib conveyed that Indonesia’s serious concern on human right violence by Israel which keeps continuing on Palestinians, included the use of excessive force on peace protest by Palestinians. Ambassador Kleib also emphasized that policy and illegal action which is conducted by Israel openly, has violated international law, and the UN resolution, including the resolution of the UN Security Council.

More than 70 thousand people flocked along the Champs-Élysées street at the central of Paris city to see Tropical de Paris Carnival on Sunday (1/7). This annually event which is held by Paris regent, Federation du Carnaval Tropical de Paris, and regional government of Ile-de-France every summer. This year, Indonesian team participated in again which consist of Indonesian associations in France under the Indonesian Embassy of Paris, namely association of diaspora Indonesia-France, Sekar Jagat, IKFI, Night Market, Archipelagic dance, Martial arts of the group Indonesian embassy in Paris, Bonapasogit, and also association of Indonesian student in Paris. To add festivity of Indonesian art’s performances were the existence of gamelan and dance team from Dian Nuswantoro University of Semarang.​ Indonesian team has theme “Batik", while maintaining the cultural diversity of the archipelago. Indonesian team which was total 100 persons, was the only participant of Asia. French people and tourists who saw the carnival, gave a standing welcome to Indonesian performances.

Indonesia received strong support from German Chamber and Commerce to conduct campaign on Indonesian economy and trade opportunity and also investment to millions of German Chamber and Commerce members throughout Germany. German Chamber and Commerce has 79 trade offices in 16 states which more than 3.5 million of German companies, which are most of them small medium enterprises. The campaign was conducted through two mechanism, namely Digital Campaign and Roadshow by German Chamber and Commerce support. Digital Campaign will be conducted electronically through German Chamber and Commerce network regularly so  economic and investment opportunity with Indonesia will be on roadmap of German entrepreneurs. Roadshow campaign will be conducted at the end of this year after the implementation of conference of German industry and entrepreneur in Jakarta in November 2018 on Asia-Pacific Conference 2018. The conference has been known by German industrialist and entrepreneur, and it is predicted around 1000 German business communities will come toJakarta. Indonesia must be able to utilize the meeting maximally to increase Indonesian and German Trade Relation.

The first is not the last. This is not the title of a song, but the rhetoric that accompanies the historic meeting of Domald Trump and North Korea's Kim Jong Un in Singapore on June 12. US President Donald Trump has stated that the two sides will often meet after the summit in Singapore. Yesterday, from Washington came the news that Trump and Kim will realize the next meeting in the future. An unofficial statement in Washington said that the meeting would be held in New York in accordance with a schedule with the United Nations General Assembly. From Pyong Yang itself there has been no news or concern about the issue.Ahead of the summit in Singapore, both Washington and Pyong Yang were involved in a diplomatic war. Trump said he still had to consider the planned meeting with Jong Un in Singapore. From Pyong Yang also came out a similar statement. But eventually the two leaders held their first historic meeting since the outbreak of the Korean war, and even agreed on four important things. Trump said the meeting was a success because it had a profound impact and both countries would form a new relationship pattern. They agreed to work together to build lasting peace on the Korean peninsula. Then, there is a commitment from North Korea to work together to realize denuclearization. And the last, US and North Korea commit to recovering POW/MIA remains including the immediate repatriation of those already identified. Of the agreement, the problem of denuclearization for the United States is the most important issue that must be realized. The United States and its allies view this issue as the most crucial and strategic one. Washington is waiting for a real commitment from Pyong Yang. In this context, the news that the United States will hold a second summit can be seen as Washington's reminder to Pyong Yang. So whether or not the second meeting in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly will materialize, depends heavily on North Korea's response to denuclearization commitments.

Fascination of tourism object in Bandung, West Java never stops to give surprise to tourists. Bandung as if giving innovation attracts domestic or foreign tourists. In today’s edition, Voice of Indonesia will discuss one of tourism destinations in Bandung which has natural nuance and can be enjoyed along with the family. The tourism object is Batu Malakasari hamlet. This tourism destination is located on Jalan Raya Bancaran Rencong, Malakasari, Bale Endah. Earlier, Batu Malakasari hamlet was stone mining area. The condition of its location was poor after being neglected for several years. But, someday, there was an investor, Ir. H. Waryo who came and built Batu Malakasari hamlet as tourism destination. Several months later, the dry location which was neglected, becomes interesting tourism destination. In additional to relying on its natural fascination which is beautiful and exotic, tourists who visit will be also spoiled with various educational rides.  Batu Malakasari hamlet looks like natural laboratory. Because at the place, tourists can try various kinds of interesting activities. The activities which can be conducted here are related to nature and life creature surrounding areas, such as interacting with animals like cows, sheep, rabbits and goats at animal husbandry. Here, you can also see spotted deer at the breeding, learn about agriculture and local art at the studio and Sundanese traditional house. Besides, other interesting activities are outbound, flying fox, and going down Batu hill which make you closer with the nature. Many people say that Batu Malakasari hamlet is one of completed tourism destinations in Bandung because it has many facilities. Therefore, the place is suitable to become alternative to spend holidays along with the family, especially for them who love nature. Batu Malakasari hamlet opens every day starting from 9 am until 4 pm. On weekends and holidays, this tourism object opens 30 minutes earlier and closes one hour longer than weekdays.