Based on Presidential Decree No. 39, dated September 15, 2014, every June 29 officially becomes National Family Day -Harganas. But, the first celebration of National Family Day was held in Lampung province 25 years ago. This year, the city of Manado, North Sulawesi province becomes the organizer of the 25th anniversary of the Harganas from July 2 to 7, 2018. The theme of this year's anniversary is quite interesting, namely Family Day: the Day of All of Us with the tagline Love Family, Planned Love.
Why is June 29 chosen as National Family Day? There are 2 reasons. First after several sessions of negotiations in accordance with Room Rojen agreement in 1949, at a meeting on June 22nd, 1949, the Dutch finally returned the sovereignty to Indonesian unconditionally. After this agreement, a week later, on June 29, 1949, the fighters who were in separate physical struggles, began to return to their families. Second, the challenge faced after Indonesia achieved its sovereignty, is not easy. Early marriage rate was so high that it directly affected the increase in the number of births during 1950-1960's. Indeed, an increase in population can push the pace of development, but if not controlled, the potential is even a burden. Therefore, since June 29, 1970, family planning through the Family Planning Program began to promote. After the program was officially implemented through the National Family Planning Coordinating Agency in the New Order Era, Indonesia's population could be controlled.
During the reform period, since 1999, the program has received less attention. There was a significant increase in population. Thus, there is awareness to reorganize the family planning through the National Population and Family Planning Agency -BKKBN. If well organized, an increase in the number of residents, a demographic bonus of 2030 can make Indonesia occupy the position of one of the developed countries in the world.
We certainly hope, the National Family Day commemoration is not just a ceremony, considering that the family plays a major role in development. More importantly, the commemoration must make the family one of the development motors. It is time for the family to a pillar of development by reminding the young, who are part of the family to better plan for their future, and the future of Indonesia.
Diplomatic Corner, a segment presents Indonesian diplomatic activities, both at home and abroad.
First information is from Osaka, Japan. The 60th Anniversary Concert of Indonesia Diplomatic Relations and Japan is held at the Sofia Orchestra Building, Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture, Japan (24/6). The concert presents music groups of children and prominent students from both countries. The Resonanz Children's Choir (TRCC) and Keluarga Paduan Angklung SMA 3 Bandung (KPA3) who came directly from Indonesia with Sakai Daiko group from Osaka with traditional Japanese music instrument, Taiko entertained about 750 audiences. In the concert, TRCC amazed the audiences with vocal and attractive choreography bringing Japanese songs like Sakura and Sakura Yo, Indonesia traditional songs namely Yamko Rambe Yamko, Bungong Jeumpa, and Janger until overseas songs, including ‘We Will Rock You’ and Segalariak.
Indonesia Consulate General in Osaka, Mirza Nurhidayat in his speech with Mayor of Sakai and Head of the Parliament of Sakai City Region said that in this momentum of 60 years of diplomatic relations, his side had to be able to optimize together to strengthen the cooperation between Indonesia and Japan in various fields. The event was organized by Indonesia Consulate General in Osaka in collaboration with Sakai City Government, Osaka Prefecture and supported by PT Pupuk Indonesia (Persero) and among Indonesian entrepreneurs.
Next information is from Frankfurt. Indonesia Consulate General in Frankfurt opened Indonesian course for German speakers. As quoted from press information received in Jakarta, Tuesday, Indonesia Consulate General in Frankfurt this year is implementing the program of Indonesian language level A2 in the Consulate General Frankfurt Building. The course uses Indonesian book for foreign speakers “Sahabatku Indonesia” or "My friend, Indonesia" from Indonesia Ministry of Education and Culture in 2016. The Indonesia course program is one of the Consulate's efforts to introduce Indonesian language and culture to German society. Indonesia Consulate General in Frankfurt hoped in the future there will be more and more German people who are interested to know and deepen the language and culture of Indonesia.
We end Diplomatic Corner from Poiters, France. Indonesia-France bilateral cooperation in science, technology, higher education, research and innovation is part of the two countries' strategic partnership formed in 2011. The various forms of implementation referred to are discussed through the Joint Working Group (JWG) forum of education in order to establish a form of real operational cooperation between the two countries. The JWF Forum is now entering its tenth implementation, which runs from June 26-28, 2018 in Poitiers City, France.
The delegation of the Indonesian government is led by Director General of Institutional Science and Technology and Higher Education from Indonesia Ministry of Research Technology and Higher Education, Dr. Patdono Suwignjo. In his speech, Indonesia Ambassador to Paris, Dr. Hotmangaradja Pandjaitan appreciated the cooperation that has been established so far. The JWG is a strategic forum to continuously strengthen cooperation in the field of higher education, research, and innovation of Indonesia and France. He added, the JWG is a reflection of the commitment of both countries to the values of democracy, human rights, tolerance and justice for integrated and sustainable development, whether political, economic, defense, security, education, culture, and environment. The development is closely watched by Indonesia Ambassador as a key to the active participation of both countries and for global world order.
The Indonesian government continues to support and facilitate the JWG mission since it was first held. Besides discussion among researchers, there are also corporate and business dialogue sessions related to technology and science transfer. This is one way that educational, research and innovation cooperation can bring good economic benefits to the public.
Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOS) re-released five individual orangutans in Kehje Sewen Forest, East Kutai (Kutim), East Kalimantan on Monday (25/06/2018). CEO of BOS Foundation, Jamartin Sihite said that the orangutan release is in collaboration with East Kalimantan Natural Resource Conservation Center (BKSDA). He also said that the five orangutans released were the result of the rehabilitation process at Samboja Lestari, consisting of one male namely Julien (7 years), and four females, Erina (8), Cheryl (7), Nicola (13), and Choki (7) . The five departed from Samboja Lestari directly to the release points at Kehje Sewen Forest, which took 20 hours. The five orangutans are considered to have qualified skills and behaviors to be able to live independently in the forest.
Jamartin Sihite added that the release was the sixth times, held by the BOS Foundation in collaboration with BKSDA of East Kalimantan. According to Jamartin, the forest that becomes the new home for five individual orangutans is an ecosystem restoration forest area which reaches more than 86 thousand hectares in Muara Wahau District, East Kutai Regency. The forest has accommodated 86 individual release orangutans. He also pointed out that the release activities routinely carried out by the BOS Foundation have significantly increased the orangutan population in the wild. But on the other hand, this pushes the release of forests close to its limits. In fact, a survey conducted by BOS Foundation in Kehje Sewen Forest shows that this forest is able to accommodate 150 orangutans, while now the population reaches 91 orangutans. This condition encourages BOS Foundation to keep searching for alternative forest areas that are eligible for orangutan release in the future.
Jamartin Sihite added that there are still hundreds of orangutans in Samboja Lestari waiting to be released, but forest release capacity is still lacking. Therefore, Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation -BOS requested the support of the community, local government, and the Ministry of Environment and Forestry to increase the area of release in East Kalimantan. Jamartin said that humans desperately need a range of environmental services from forests, namely water and clean air, forest products, and well-regulated climate. Meanwhile, Orangutans maintain the forest quality. Therefore, their existence is very important for human beings.
Mosaic of Archipelago, Thursday, June 28, 2018 presents information about ‘Supports Supervision of Local Government Apparatus, Regent of Sorong, Head of the Sorong State Prosecutor's Office and Chief of Police Sorong to Sign MoU’. The next information is that ‘Increasing Production of Rice and Corn at Pesisir Selatan Regency’. The last information is ‘to Digest Information Wisely’.
Sorong Regency Government signed Memorandom of Understanding (MoU) with State Attorney of Sorong and Police Resort of Sorong about coordination of the Government Internal Supervisory Authority (APIP) with Law Enforcement Officials (APH) related to the handling of reports or public complaints in the implementation of Sorong Regency Government. The signing was done on Tuesday (26/6) in the office room of the Regent of Sorong.
Regent of Sorong, Johny Kamuru said through the MoU, any complaints or reports from the public will be handled by the police and the prosecutor's office and the charges of negative complaints will be processed according to existing law. Chief of Police in Sorong, Dewa Made Sidan Sutrahna appreciated the initiative of the Sorong government that has taken positive steps in handling reports or complaints from the residents. While Head of Sorong State Prosecutor’s Office, Ahmad Muhdhor said that this is a follow-up of the memorandum of understanding at the central level of the Attorney General, Police, and the Ministry of Home Affairs. The hope is that all the problems faced at the local level can be resolved properly.
Pesisir Selatan is an area with a large agricultural area, but it is still constrained with less irrigation. Territorial Head of Territorial Command 032 Wirabraja, Infantry Colonel Asep Apandi said to RRI on Wednesday (27/6) that Pesisir Selatan has a large area to increase the production of rice, corn and soybeans from year to year. He added that the production of soybeans has not been so prominent due to various factors. However, the government and Bintara Pembina Desa (Babinsa) in the region continue to develop the commodity to balance the production of rice and corn as the set target. From the beginning of production to the handling of pests, Indonesian Army through the region's Babinsa helps the residents increase its agricultural production. People in the region are greatly helped by the mentoring program. In the future, it is expected that rice production in Pesisir Selatan Regency can match other areas, such as Solok and Tanah Datar. Therefore, various efforts have been carried out to address the problems faced by local farmers, including irrigation problems.
We end Mosaic of Archipelago with Digesting Information Wisely.
Commander of the Main Base of the Indonesian Navy - Commander of the Navy Main Base II, First Admiral of Indonesian Army, Agus Sulaeman emphasized that his soldiers and state civil servants -PNS in the Navy Main Base II always address the information well and wisely, that develops in social media. Soldiers must be able to sort and distinguish between the right and the wrong information. Soldiers should be able to select information that is rolling rapidly today in addition to the hard prohibition of not practicing politics. Agus Sulaeman said to RRI in Padang, Wednesday (27/6) that Indonesia is a country that has a variety of tribes, religions, skin colors, languages, geographical locations and diverse customs. It is important to avoid things that can trigger conflict between religions and also between groups. Another important thing is the obedience of soldiers to all kinds of regulations, as well as traffic rules and avoids other fatal things like drug abuse.