VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Queen Maxima from the Netherlands has made a working visit to South Lampung, Lampung Province, as the UN Secretary-General`s Special Advocate (UNSGSA) for inclusive finance for development. Queen Maxima, accompanied by a an entourage from the Dutch Embassy, arrived at Neglasari Village, Katibung Sub-district, South Lampung, Lampung, Monday, at 9.30 a.m local time.

Queen Maxima and her entourage visited the homes of local farmers, who received financial and value chain financial services.Before having talks with the farmers, the Dutch queen had a look at the cattle breeding methods used by Agus, a local farmer. 

The Dutch queen asked two local farmers about the ways to increase harvests by improving deals related to the financial value chain services. She asked the farmers about the benefits of the loans, their businesses, and the problems they faced.

During her visit from February 11 to 13, she will take a closer look at the progress of Indonesia`s national strategy of financial inclusion.

The national strategy has been implemented since 2016 to allow small farmers to get greater access to financial services, such as bank or saving accounts, loans, insurance and pension.

Queen Maxima`s last visit to Indonesia, in her capacity as the UN envoy, was in August 2016. (antaranews/nouva)

Gili Labak is one of the smallest islands among 127 other islands in Sumenep Regency, Madura. Administratively, Gili Labak is part of Talango Island subdistrict, in the east of Madura. It is said that the first people who lived Gili Labak is a family that comes from Talango. Gili Labak area of ​​approximately 5 hectares, with a population of not more than 25 family. The island can be surrounded by walking for about an hour.

The distance from Surabaya, the capital of Est Java province to Gili Labak, in Sumenep, Madura island is about 166 km. Through the Suramadu bridge, a land journey will take about 4 hours. You can go by private cars or taxi but there are also many public buses that serve 24 hours from Bungurasih terminal with Sumenep city destination. From Sumenep, you can connect by using motorcycle taxi or bemo to Kalianget Port. Next you have to rent a boat Gili Labak island. Rental rates ranged from Rp. 350,000 to Rp. 400,000 with capacity between 15 to 18 people. It is advisable to come to Gili Labak in groups, to save costs.

Although the journey to Gili Labak is rather complicated, many visitors from home and abroad come to island. The charm of the beach and with beautiful coral reef here is quite wonderful. A white, clean, smooth stretch of sand can amaze everyone who looks at it. At Gili Labak Beach, snorkeling is the best way to enjoy the beauty under the sea. But you have to prepare your own equipment, because of the unavailability of rental of snorkeling equipment here. You can safely swim and play in the water around this beach. Gili Labak island is usually crowded with tourists in the morning from 09.00 until noon. But you can also try the sensations of setting up a tent on the beach and wait for the sunset while enjoying the beautiful sky. The seawater here is almost without waves that creates a calm and comfortable atmosphere, perfect for those of you who want to forget the daily bustle. Here you can also enjoy dinner in the open air with a menu of grilled fish,

In early morning on the island of Gili Labak, you will be awakened by the crowing of roosters. Then if you walk about 300 meters just to the other part of the beach, you will be able to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the rising sun. You will see a reddish sky which is very exotic and attractive, creating a beautiful silhouette of the morning panorama. (art)

A total of 91 Athletes from 10 countries attended the opening of Pencak Silat (Martial Arts) championship of 2018 Asian Games trial here on Saturday. 

The 10 countries that joined the trial include Brunei Darussalam, Philippines, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand.

The athletes would join the defile session during the opening of the trial. 

The trial was launched at the venue on Saturday by Edhy Prabowo, the Indonesia Pencak Silat Association (IPSI) chief.

Apart from Prabowo, the opening ceremony was also attended by the deputy of national sports council (KONI), Suwarno; the association`s secretary general, Erizal Chaniago; the secretary general of the Interstate Pencak Silat Association (Persilat), Teddy Suratmadji; as well as the former chief of IPSI, Eddie Nalapraya. 

The athletes, according to the organizer, will participate to 16 matches, including 10 games and 6 exhibitions. 

"The Indonesian athletes will strive for full powers during the first Asian Games trial (of Pencak Silat)," Prabowo, who also served as the national team manager of the 2018 Asian Games, stated.

The venue will be renovated by the Public Works and Public Housings (PUPR) Ministry ahead of the competition, he noted. 

"The ministry will refurbish the audience seats, toilets, as well as the training venues," Prabowo stressed. 

During the trial, Indonesia will send 22 athletes in all categories. 

However, the trial would not provide any assurances that the team will win the upcoming matches in the 2018 Asian Games to be held in August this year.

"We are seeking to collect as many medals as possible in order to be the overall champion during the match," he emphasized.

Indonesia, Prabowo noted that he has targeted to introduce Pencak Silat to more countries worldwide. 

"The traditional martial art now has been practiced in 45 states, but we are seeking to introduce the sport to other 70 countries," he explained. 

Prabowo remarked that Indonesia has planned to propose its traditional martial art to be contested at the Olympics. 

Apart from Pencak Silat, the 2018 Asian Games organizer also hosted trials for other categories, including basketball and Taekwondo this month. 

The 2018 Asian Games will be conducted from Aug 18 to Sep 2, 2018, in Jakarta and Palembang. (antaranews)

Japan Credit Rating Agency Ltd. has raised Indonesia`s Sovereign Debt Rating from BBB- with positive prospective to BBB with stable prospect.

Economic structural reform that has been carried out to achieve sustainable growth has brought a positive impact to improve investment climate, infrastructure development and slow corporate foreign debt withdrawals, ANTARA learned here on Thursday from JCR official statement.

"Private foreign debt has grown limitedly since 2016 because of the implementation of prudent regulations by the central bank that led to increasing economic resilience against external pressure," according to JCR.

JCR also viewed economic policy packages and reduction of Bank Indonesia reference rate as having boosted private investment especially in the non-commodities sector. The decline in the current account deficit and high foreign exchange reserve has also reflected the increasing resilience of Indonesia`s economy, it said.

"Indonesia`s banking sector has remained healthy and financing through financial market has grown strongly reflected by increasing issuence of shares, bonds and medium debt securities," JCR states.

As for the fiscal condition, JCR admits that fiscal reform that has been carried out by the government in the form of shifting subsidy spending to infrastructure, health and education spending has been able to help reduce fiscal deficit and increase spending efficiency.
In a written statement Bank Indonesia governor Agus Martowardojo said JCR`s decision to raise Indonesia`s debt rating reflected international institutions` confidence in the economic structural reform being carried out by Indonesia.

"This also shows that the harmonious synergy between Bank Indonesia and the government has been able to safeguard macro-economic stability and financial system," he said.

JCR improved Indonesia`s sovereign debt rating from stable to positive and at the same time affirmed the rating to BBB- (investment grade) on March 7, 2017. (antaranews)