VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesian Ambassador, Sujatmiko, representing the Indonesian Community in Brunei Darussalam at the Menglait Sports Complex on 13 September 2021 Monday handed over again the second phase of Covid-19 solidarity assistance to Brunei Darussalam. Symbolically, the aid was received by Acting Director of Administration and Finance of the Ministry of Health of Brunei Darussalam, Haji Kamarul Azam bin Haji Mohamad. The aid worth 5,400 Brunei dollars or around 57 million rupiah is in the form of 10 wheelchairs, 11 goods trolleys, 10 boxes of masks, 15 pieces of medical gloves, 61 soaps and disinfectant liquids, 40 body coverings and several other equipment.

Previously, on August 25, 2021, the Indonesian Community had handed over assistance worth 9,438 Brunei dollars. Thus, the total donation assistance from the Indonesian community in Brunei Darussalam, that has been given, amounted to 14,838 Brunei dollars or around 150 million rupiah.  Ambassador Sujatmikoexplained that there are many Indonesian people in Brunei who want to give assistance and the aid is continuous support of Indonesia to Brunei Darussalam. He also appealed to all Indonesian people in Brunei Darussalam to obey and comply with the recommendations and regulations set by the Government of Brunei Darussalam. It is expected to break the chain of the transmission of the Covid-19 pandemic. Brunei Darussalam is still fighting against Covid-19 which has not shown any signs of slowing down. The government of Brunei Darussalam is working hard to prevent the spread of the virus by accelerating the second dose vaccination program.

However, from 7 August to 12 September, Brunei Darussalam recorded a total of 3,842 cases. This number is quite high when it is compared to the population of Brunei Darussalam which is around 450,000 people. Of these cases, 147 positive cases are Indonesian citizens. But, based on direct monitoring of the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia by telephone communication to Indonesian citizens who are positive corona, 30 people have been declared cured or negative and they are allowed to return home.

Coordinating Minister for Economy, Airlangga Hartarto said that investment commitment at 19 Special Economic Zones (SEZ) reached 92.3 trillion rupiahs as of July 2021, and had been realized 32.76 trillion rupiahs. 

Minister Airlangga, during a webinar on SEZ on Monday (13/9), said that the investment in SEZ has created jobs for more than 26 thousand people directly. Then, from January until July, the export from SEZ reached 3.66 trillion rupiahs. 

Meanwhile, until August, 129 business entities had registered their profile into the special app system at the SEZ, in order to receive special facilities after operating in the SEZ. The facilities are exemptions for income tax, added-value tax, luxury goods tax, import duty, import tax, and customs. 

Minister Airlangga also remarked that many facilities given by the government are meant not only to encourage SEZ competitiveness value, but also to increase the production of export-oriented goods that are connected with the global supply chain, so that investors are attracted to invest in the SEZ.

On the same occasion, Minister of Finance, Sri Mulyani hoped the SEZ could attract investment from the country and abroad. So, this can accelerate national economic recovery, which was affected by Covid-19 pandemic.

Minister Sri Mulyani also said, the government, through the National Single Window Agency (LNSW), Tax Directorate General, and Customs & Excises Directorate General, has developed a special app system for SEZ that is expected to improve SEZ value for the investors.

The SEZ app system developed and managed by LNSW has an efficiency function, so business people just need one system for various SEZ services. The system is also easy because it only requires one single document.

In addition, the system is also transparent, because business people, SEZ administrators, customs and excise officers, as well as tax officers can observe the SEZ operation in one system with similar standards.

Through this app, business people operating in SEZ are expected to receive many facilities with ease.

Minister Sri Mulyani also hopes that the IT development in SEZ can improve the 4.0 industry competitiveness value in Indonesia, namely an electronic and automation-based industry.

North Korea's claim of success in its ballistic missile test on a train series has drawn international condemnation this week. Its closest neighbors, South Korea and Japan, which are within the missile's range feel threatened and said the test disturbed the peaceful situation of the surrounding region.

Through a photo officially released Wednesday (15/9), the North Korean Central News Agency shows a ballistic missile launch test carried out on a train series. The location of the firing of the missile with a range of 800 kilometers is kept secret, only showing it in hilly areas.

On the same day, South Korea also tested a submarine-launched ballistic missile. This makes it the seventh country develop such a system but the first without nuclear weapons. Both Koreas are now in an increasingly heated arms race. Both of them have launched new missiles that are claimed to be superior.

But the North Korean test, although not nuclear, has drawn international criticism and concern. The United States says the test violates United Nation Security Council resolutions, and poses a threat to Pyongyang's neighbors. A series of United Nations Security Council resolutions prohibits North Korea from developing or testing ballistic missiles, though it still allows cruise missiles. Ballistic missiles are considered threatening because they can carry a larger and more powerful payload, have a longer range, and can travel faster. Pyongyang is prohibited from testing ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons under international law. Previously, several tests that had been carried out, especially those related to the development of nuclear weapons, had been criticized by the international community and resulted in sanctions from the UN Security Council.

Problems on the Korean peninsula that continue to drag on and on should be resolved through dialogue. Both Koreas must be able to exercise restraint, by re-making a joint commitment to defuse military tensions and end the danger of war on the Korean Peninsula.

Labuan Bajo port is very strategic because it is the entrance to the province of East Nusa Tenggara -NTT. In addition, it is also the entrance to the Komodo Island National Park. Because every tourist who will come to Labuan Bajo by sea, land, or air will go to Labuan Bajo port to cross to Komodo Island National Park. Labuan Bajo port will be converted only as a passenger and tourist port, because it is famous for its beautiful sea tourism. So, many tourists come to Labuan Bajo for vacation and enjoy its natural attractions.

The name Labuan Bajo is taken from the names Labuan and Bajo. The word Labuan is taken from the port, because the Labuan Bajo area is a place for large or small ships to dock when entering the province of the NTT by sea. So over time, it is commonly referred to as Labuan. Bajo is taken from the name of the Bajo Tribe, known as the coastal tribe who usually lives on boats or houses on stilts, which are made above the sea and then survive by catching fish from various waters. It can be said that the original Labuan Bajo tribe is the Bajo Tribe who has lived and settled in Labuan Bajo for decades.

The location of Labuan Bajo port is indeed very strategic. Besides being on the national route which is the entrance to the province of the NTT, it is about 3.5 km or 10 minutes by cars, quite close to Komodo International Airport. When your ship docks at Labuan Bajo Harbor, you don't have to worry about lodging and other supporting facilities. Lodging such as inns, hotels, and villas with prices starting at 100 thousand per night are available around the Labuan Bajo port. In addition, public transportation is easy for you to find, such as motorcycle taxis or small buses. You can also look for motorbike, car, or minibus rentals that are available not far from Labuan Bajo harbor.

Labuan Bajo port and its surroundings are also widely available for food and drinks, with prices starting at 10 thousand per food menu and 5 thousand per drink menu. Although Labuan Bajo Village is not too big, the facilities here really support the needs of tourists so that the inspiration for the tourism business here is quite increased. Therefore, there are many facilities available around the port that you can use when traveling to Labuan Bajo by sea route. Labuan Bajo is not only rich in tourism destinations, but also in culture and language that are rarely found in other regions in Indonesia. Thereby, please make your plans from now on to travel to Labuan Bajo via Labuan Bajo port.