VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Philippine military has documented the presence of structures which they say are illegal on the Union Banks, Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, not far from where hundreds of Chinese ships swarmed last month. Commander of the Philippine Military, Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana said that the buildings were illegal and were not far from islands that the Philippines claimed to be included in its exclusive economic zone. Of course, this creates new problems in the disputed areas of the South China Sea. Meanwhile, other problems have not been completely resolved. China and several Southeast Asian countries seem to be caught in a dispute over their respective expansionary claims to the energy-rich waters of the South China Sea. China even borders the region with its "imaginary nine dotted lines".

In addition, the Chinese government also passed the Law on China's maritime management last February. It  said, the law is intended to safeguard the country's national sovereignty, security and maritime rights. Its Coast Guard is said to be allowed to take all necessary means, including the use of weapons to stop or prevent threats from foreign ships. In fact, Chinese coast guard personnel will be allowed to board and inspect foreign vessels operating in waters claimed  to be China's jurisdiction. This term, in fact,  is still ambiguous, because it covers areas that are also claimed by other countries.

As long as this rule is still being enforced by China, the possibility of a heated conflict in the South China Sea is still very open. To achieve peace in the South China Sea region, all parties involved should make comprehensive efforts and dialogue among the disputing countries in a bid to avoid open conflicts involving military forces and to prevent them from spreading elsewhere.

On March 26 ,2021, Indonesia and Andorra commemorated 25 years of diplomatic relations signed on March 26, 1996. In commemorating the milestone, Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno LP Marsudi and her counterpart from Andorran, Maria Ubach delivered a virtual speech of the commemoration. Both of them are committed to further strengthening friendly ties based on mutual trust and respect. The existing bilateral relations and cooperation have been running very well for the last 25 years in sharing the same priorities and interests, such as increasing trade and investment, empowering women and youth for development, and developing sustainable tourism and addressing challenges, particularly related to post-pandemic recovery.

Both countries are also preparing to host a series of events, which will take place in the coming months with the theme "Connecting People, Building Our Future".  Therefore, the aim of the commemoration activity is to explore the moment in a bid to develop relationships between young people and citizens of the two countries, such as through creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship.

The first activity of the commemorations will take place in April 2021 and consist of an online reception, in which Gamelan concerts (Indonesian traditional music ensembles) will be broadcast. The music will be interpreted by a young artist of Andorra in the form of paintings. This will be a reflection that Indonesia and Andorra can cooperate harmoniously and collaborate in connecting communities apart from geographical distance and differences in social and economic acpects.  Indonesia and Andorra have also enjoyed mutually beneficial partnerships at the multilateral level. Both countries have a strong commitment to promoting multilateralism and contributing to the global agenda for peace and development.

The area of Old Town in Semarang, Central Java, with 45 hectares wide, is an area where we can still feel the nuance of the Netherlands. The Old Town, which was founded in the Dutch colonial era around 1677, has 150 buildings which are silent witnesses to the triumph of large companies at that time. Jalan Kepodang or formerly known as Hogendorp Straat is the main road on which stands various banks and large corporate offices. One of them is NV Handel Mij Kian Gwan which was founded in Semarang by Oei Tjie Sien on March 1, 1863. The name Kian Gwan means the Source of all welfare. The hope is that their company will be large and prosperous. This trading company is engaged in the export and import of sugar, cotton, chocolate, coffee and pepper. After Oei Tjie Sien died, the company was inherited to his son, Oei Tiong Ham. This company has head-office called the Monod Diephuis building which is still standing up to date.

The building, which was built in 1921, was owned by the richest Sugar King in Southeast Asia, Oei Tiong Ham. After decades of being a seemingly meaningless building frame, this building was finally revitalized by its new owner, Agus S Winarto. Initially, it was difficult to find parts of the building that looked like the original ones, but now the result is that the two-floor building has been standing again. The building which consists of two floors is very thick with the art deco style, which is characterized by firm and straight architectural lines and magnificent decorations. In 2018, this building officially became a cultural heritage and can be used for various artistic activities. A set of Gamelan instruments is also placed in one of the rooms in the building, which is used every week for practicing the Semarang musical community.

In front of this building, the Gema Kroncong music performance is held for three hours once a performance every Monday, Thursday and Saturday night. Before the building was completed in restoration, in May 2017, the Monod Huis courtyard was used as a jazz concert venue to commemorate International Jazz Day. The visitors were spoiled by jazz music from three Semarang jazz bands, namely Delight, DD Kids, and Kitty Fatty. Local designer fashion shows are also often held on this building's yard. Some time ago, Nyala Rupa painting studio held an exhibition of paintings from painters all over Indonesia at the Huis Monod. The trading building that turned into a place for artists to showcase their work is one of the efforts of Semarang people to preserve the historical relics that are scattered in the Old City.

Indonesian state-owned pharmaceutical company PT Bio Farma President Director Honesty Basyir said Indonesia is joining 10 countries leading in Covid-19 vaccination. Honesti Basyir said that in the Working Meeting with the House's Commission VI in Jakarta on Monday.

Honesti Basyir said, until March 27 2021, some 10.4 million doses had been injected to the people. Based on the explanation, Indonesia ranked 9th under the US, China, India, Brazil, Turkey, Germany, and Russia. Behind Indonesia, there are France, Israel, Italy, and the United Arab Emirates. Honesti Basyir said Indonesia's position is even better than some European countries.

He added that Indonesia must maintain this position and keep increasing the vaccination speed because all is racing against the mutation development from the virus. Honesti said that Covid-19 vaccination speed achievement in Indonesia is supported by vaccine supply availability.

Besides making commitment for a long time with some vaccine developers, Indonesia also becomes a country that performs Covid-19 vaccine clinical tests. Honesti Basyir said the speed will decide whether Indonesia can achieve herd immunity less than 15 months or even faster.

According to Honesti Basyir, Indonesia's achievement on vaccination so far was coming from the government’s commitment in procuring Covid-19 vaccine supply. Honesti said, many contributed to this including the Health Ministry, Food and Drugs Monitoring Agency (BPOM), Foreign Ministry, and State-Owned Enterprises Ministry.

Honesti further explained that in 2021, Indonesia had secured most of the vaccination needs as many as 426 million doses. Indonesian government through Bio Farma had made a contract for procuring 329.5 million doses of finished and half-finished vaccine with some vaccine developers. Honesti is optimistic that the vaccine need can be fulfilled. Most of it will be done in 2021. It is expected to finish in the first quarter 2022.