VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Ahead of the inauguration of the President and Vice President in October, the condition in some cities across Indonesia is heating up. There has been strong polemic about moving the capital, forest and land fires in Sumatra, Kalimantan and Java, as well the actions related to Papuan iissue, as well as the latest one: protest against draft bills made by the House of Representatives -DPR. The dynamics that occur in Indonesia today are part of democracy and the follow-up of reforms that began in the late 90s. The Indonesian people chose reforms to make democratic change instead of revolution. Because if there is a revolution, the Indonesian nation could set back. However, the actions carried out more recently can disturb the people of Indonesia. Because in almost every major city throughout Indonesia, university students, senior high school students and farmers staged a demonstration. This action is reminiscent of the actions that occurred in 1998.

In a discussion on national television, legal expert -Supardi Ahmad said that more recently, the community has been concerned about the planned revision of the Corruption Eradication Commission’s law -KPK and the Draft of Criminal Code Book -KUHP that would be completed by the DPR. These points are the main focus of the demonstrators. Supardi Ahmad hopes that all demonstrators' demands must be accommodated. All relevant stakeholders must engage and take part in reviewing and disseminating information to the public regarding the contents of the Draft of Criminal Code Book and the revision of the KPK law. In this regard, the government has issued a communiqué to delay discussion and endorsement along with the DPR.

With all-inclusive participation by related stakeholders: the executive, legislative, judicative, academics and multi-discipline experts, the problems of the Indonesian people related to legal products can be resolved together. Thus, all legal products that will be produced can be understood and accepted by all groups towards a just and prosperous Indonesia.

Minister of Environment and Forestry (LHK), Siti Nurbaya highlighted forest and land fires (Karhutla) in Tesso Nilo National Park, Riau, which happen sporadically and threaten the survival of protected animals, such as Sumatran elephants and tigers. This was conveyed by Minister of Environment and Forestry Siti Nurbaya when accompanying TNI Chief, Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto and Chief of National Police, General Tito Karnavian at Roesmin Nurjadin Air Base Pekanbaru on Monday (12/8/2019). Minister Siti Nurbaya asserted that the legal process for the perpetrators of land burning in Tesso Nilo will continue. According to her, there will be two other actors involving individuals who have a fairly large amount of land that will soon be processed legally. She also stated that the issue of law enforcement is important in providing a deterrent effect to the perpetrators of land burners. Thus, she ensures that law enforcement against land burners, both individuals and corporations, must be carried out optimally. In addition, the Ministry is also investigating a number of companies in Siak, Pelalawan, Indragiri Hulu and Indragiri Hilir areas. Minister Siti added that there are widespread forest and land fires in the four regions related to plantation companies. She said that if indeed later there are companies involved in the case of forest and land fire, her side would provide firm sanctions, ranging from administrative sanction such as license revocation, civil and criminal sanctions. Furthermore, Minister Siti Nurbaya also said that she has warned 55 companies in a number of provinces related to forest and land fires. Although she did not explain in detail the 55 companies in question, she confirmed that some of them are located in Riau Province. Minister Siti Nurbaya further said that her side would carry out collaborative steps with the National Police to crack down on land burners, including in Tesso Nilo National Park, which is now in poor condition due to looting and forest and land fires. Head of Tesso Nilo National Park Office, Halasan Tulus admitted that the conditions are indeed very dry due to drought, but it is very unlikely that fires would occur naturally. The burned areas are mostly found in locations occupied by the community, such as in Toro area. Halasan Tulus further said that the burned area of Tesso Nilo has not yet reached its natural forest, but it indeed approaches the area of the Flying Squad Team Camp, which contains eight tame elephants fostered by WWF-Indonesia along with the National Park Hall.

Tourism sector in Indonesia keeps receiving serious attention from the government, because the contribution of this sector in state revenue also keeps increasing. Tourism integrated with creative industries can be an amazing attraction and good competitiveness. Both of them are inseparable, because they support one another. Therefore, awareness and commitment need to be built to advance both sectors. The progress of these two sectors is very positive in increasing the country's foreign exchange. Indonesia, which is rich in cultural diversity and natural attractions, can be a magnet for foreign tourists. The natural beauty and excellent service from the creative industry sector can make tourists stay longer and in the end, they can spend more money for shopping, too.

Creative industry development in one region can create tourism attractions. This was said by Director of Inter-Institutional Relations of the Creative Economy Agency (Bekraf), Hassan Abud. The regional government has mapped the needs of creative industry. One of them is West Java provincial government which has grouped the potential of creative industries spread across 27 regencies / cities, such as the rattan industry center in Cirebon, the bamboo industry center in Tasikmalaya, and the performing arts in Karawang. Yogyakarta, Bali, Riau, Surabaya and Banyuwangi are also considered ready. The holding of 99 festivals to attract tourists and make tourists stay longer in Banyuwangi proves that creativity can drive the tourism sector.

Besides, the Banyuwangi government has made the location of the agro-tourism park, Taman Suruh at the base of Mt. Ijen for the 'Agro Expo Festival' as a tourism destination every weekend. Economic activity takes place in line with the increasing number of domestic and foreign tourists to Banyuwangi. Another region that also benefits from tourism activities is North Sulawesi. In 2015, there were 20 thousand foreign tourists visiting this area and by 2018, this number had risen to 120 thousand. This year, North Sulawesi holds 14 main activities in 15 cities and regencies.

Therefore, the tourism sector and the creative industry must synergize in creating a variety of interesting activities and innovative products that can be competitive. Certainly, the tourism potential and distinctive culture owned by each region must be preserved and demonstrated to both domestic and foreign tourists. In the end, every region both in cities and regencies throughout Indonesia can become a favorite tourism destination.

The Ministry of Environment and Forestry launches new research, development and innovation milestones, launched 4 new agendas for the Research, Development and Innovation Agency paradigm at the Tropical Forestry and Environmental Research Festival in the area of the Serpong Science and Technology Research Center, Tangerang Selatan, August 13th. Minister of Environment and Forestry Siti Nurbaya in a speech read by the Head of the Research, Development and Innovation Agency, Agus Justianto, said that event was held to answer the challenges of implementing the results of science, technology, and innovation for environmental and forestry management. The Minister hopes, with these new paradigms agenda, this agency can increase the use of technology for the results of forestry product innovation.

"The Research, Development and Innovation Agency with its 4 new paradigms are expected to be able to commit to raising awareness of the importance of technology. Seeing the global movement that is very fast with the momentum of the rise of our national technology, we must also move quickly so that we do not lag behind. I hope with the innovations produced by The Research, Development and Innovation Agency, we can overtake those changes and movements in order to anticipate and adapt to existing changes" Agus said. 

Minister Siti Nurbaya mentioned the four new paradigm agendas, there are the production or reproduction of knowledge, exchange, and debate on knowledge and branding; promotion, campaign and advocacy; network development and expanding outreach; and enter the virtual era and society area as well as pioneering commercialization, business, marketing, and entrepreneurship. At this festival, a media dialogue is also held to encourage the mass media to introduce and promote the results of science and technology and innovation. (VOI/NUKE)