VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

[Photo caption - from left to right: UK Ambassador to ASEAN, Sarah Tiffin; UK FCDO Chief of Economist, Professor Adnan Khan; Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Political-Security Community, Michael Tene; Deputy Minister for Development Funding Bappenas RI, Scenaider Siahaan; UK Ambassador to Indonesia, Dominic Jermey]  - 

Voinews, Jakarta - Setting out re-energised agenda to accelerate progress to achieve Sustainable Development Goals by working in partnership with Southeast Asian countries and ASEAN

British Embassy Jakarta and the UK Mission to ASEAN hosted a Southeast Asia regional launch of a new UK Government approach to global development partnerships on 11 Dec 2023.

This approach is set out in a White Paper entitled “International Development in a Contested World: ending extreme poverty and tackling climate change”.

It sets out a re-energised agenda for the UK working with partners, including Southeast Asian countries and ASEAN, to accelerate progress on eliminating extreme poverty, tackling climate change and biodiversity loss, and accelerating progress on the SDGs by 2030.

The launch was hosted by the British Ambassador to Indonesia Dominic Jermey and UK Ambassador to ASEAN Sarah Tiffin and attended by senior representatives from Indonesian and regional Governments, ASEAN Secretariat, development partners, Non-Governmental Organisations and business.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Tuesday, this initiative speaks to core UK priorities in this region, which include a strong commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals, and to broad-based, resilient economic growth.

It will provide a strategic framing for UK development partnerships in the region, which will include five new regional programmes in partnership with ASEAN on a range of thematic priorities for the region, in support of the Sustainable Development Goals which are a priority under the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo Pacific.

The White Paper underscores the range of approaches the UK will use to promote sustainable development, encompassing trade, investment, science, research, technology and open societies agendas. 

“Indonesia and Southeast Asia are at the heart of global progress towards sustainable, resilient growth. The UK’s new White Paper on International Development affirms that tackling today’s global challenges and getting the Sustainable Development Goals back on track requires partnership in an integrated approach: there is no way to secure broad-based economic growth without simultaneously tackling climate change and biodiversity loss.It also emphasises the importance of being innovative and creative – which relies on making sure all voices are heard, and we continue to invest in science, technology and education. The UK looks forward to revitalized collaboration with our partners in Indonesia and across the region”, British Ambassador to Indonesia and Timor-Leste Dominic Jermey said. 

Meanwhile, UK Ambassador to ASEAN Sarah Tiffin said that central to this new framework is the notion of strong partnerships founded on mutual respect and common values.

This is exactly the approach UK take with ASEAN and countries in the Southeast Asia region. UK Goverment committed to doing all they can to work with ASEAN and regional partners to catalyse progress on the Sustainable Development Goals and the vision of inclusive prosperity they set out//VOI

Allan Klepfisz and Sandy Monteiro give an explanation about the app during the launch - 

FENIX360 Indonesia launches world's first artist-centric social media platform, which sets new standards in the arts and creative sector. This innovative application is designed to empower artists, providing greater opportunities for maximize revenue from their creative endeavors.

“Indonesia's dynamic and young generation its role in global technology makes Indonesia an ideal starting point for our revolutionary platform”, Allan Klepfisz, CEO of FENIX360, said.

Meanwhile, Sandy Monteiro, CEO of FENIX360 Asia Pacific, added that as a center of media activity socially, Indonesia is ready to make a paradigm shift. FENIX360 will redefining the creator economy, prioritizing financial independence for the artists.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Tuesday, a variety of creators, from musicians to designers, can benefit substantial proceeds from advertising and other transactions, including merchandise sales and live streaming.

This platform fosters deeper relationships between artists and fans, thereby benefiting both. This user-centric platform integrates content from various sources such as YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook, offering a comprehensive experience for users and fans.

The platform will celebrate its launch in key countries with events directly, promoting local and international talent. FENIX360 is eager to partner with stakeholders, including governments, to improve the creative economy.

The Indonesia Tourism Fund will be the main focus in Indonesia. After its launch, FENIX360 will expand throughout ASEAN, with events planned in Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore in early 2024//VOI

Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim addressing the media after a Cabinet meeting on Feb 8, 2023. (Photo: Facebook/Anwar Ibrahim) - 

Voinews, Jakarta - Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is expected to announce changes to his cabinet on Tuesday (Dec 12) in his first leadership reshuffle since taking power a year ago, according to various reports by Malaysian media. 

The Star, citing “highly placed” sources, reported that the cabinet reshuffle is likely to affect “several ministries” and could see the return of “several senior MPs who had previously served as ministers”. 

It added that a few MPs may make their debut as ministers. 

The Bernama news agency said a swearing-in ceremony of federal ministers is scheduled to be held at the Istana Negara at 2.30pm.

Apart from taking the oath of office, loyalty and secrecy, the new members of the cabinet will also be awarded their respective letters of appointment during the ceremony, said the report, citing sources. 

Broadcaster Astro Awani said that the reshuffle will involve “more than six people” and that some ministers will be “swapping portfolios”. 

The reports come amid speculation that Mr Anwar will announce a major overhaul across different ministries. 

He is expected to announce a new Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living to replace Dr Salahuddin Ayub, who died in July due to a brain haemorrhage. 

Local media have also speculated that Mr Anwar could appoint a second finance minister, with The Star previously reporting that United Malay National Organisation (UMNO) member Johari Abdul Ghani could be a possible candidate. Mr Anwar currently holds the Finance Minister portfolio. 

Mr Johari, who is Member of Parliament for Titiwangsa, served as second finance minister from 2016 to 2018 during former premier Najib Razak’s administration. 

There is also talk that Mr Anwar could make changes to the Ministry of Human Resources as well as the Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change. 

Awani reported that Mr Anwar is reportedly likely to recreate the Ministry of Federal Territories as a standalone entity. The ministry was administratively restructured under the Prime Minister’s Office after the last general election. 

Last month, Mr Anwar’s unity government celebrated its one-year anniversary. Mr Anwar has consolidated power to command a strong majority in parliament, giving him a clear runway to the remainder of his five-year mandate.

However, his approval rating has taken a hit one year after he assumed office, with pollsters citing concerns over the economy and cost of living as drivers for the dip in voter sentiment//CNA-VOI

United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths gestures as he stands near damaged buildings, in the aftermath of a deadly earthquake, in Aleppo, Syria on Feb 13, 2023. (File photo: Reuters/Firas Makdesi)

Voinews, Jakarta - The United Nations on Monday (Dec 11) appealed for US$46 billion in funding for 2024 to help millions of people affected by humanitarian crises around the globe, including in the occupied Palestinian territories, Sudan and Ukraine.

In its Global Humanitarian Overview for 2024, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that nearly 300 million people will require humanitarian assistance next year due to conflicts, climate emergencies and economic factors.

That includes 74.1 million people in East and Southern Africa, a large portion of whom are affected by the crisis in Sudan.

"We will target for our specific needs, for the agencies that I represent, 181 million of those 300 (million)," said UN aid chief Martin Griffiths.

He said that other organisations, including the Red Cross and national Red Cross societies, had made their own funding appeals.

The humanitarian system is facing a major funding crisis, with just over one-third of the US$57 billion required to provide aid funded last year, OCHA said in its annual assessment of global humanitarian needs.

Griffiths described this as the "worst funding shortfall in years". He said it had been difficult to decrease the appeal for 2024 and ensure aid agencies were "realistic, focused and tough-minded" when assessing needs.

"I think the Middle East as a whole and Gaza and West Bank is probably going to be the area of greatest need," Griffiths said.

"But Ukraine is going through desperate times and a war that will restart in full swing next year. It will need a lot of attention."//CNA-VOI