VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Today's Mosaic of the Archipelago presents information on

Acting governor of Bengkulu calls on people to worship more. The second information is that ‘flower city a million colors’ program in Klaten continues to get support. We end Mosaic of the Archipelago with the news on poor people in East Belitung receive legal aid for free. In welcoming Ramadhan and Idul Fitri 1 Syawal 1439 H, state of being secure and comfortable is much needed.

Acting Governor of Bengkulu, Rohidin Mersyah said that there must be some strategic steps prepared by all related elements, besides seriousness in running worship as well as possibly. This was stated by Acting Governor Rohidin when giving speech on Cross-Sectoral coordination meeting of Ketupat Nala Operation 2018 in Bengkulu on Wednesday (16/5/2018). On the occasion, he also asked all stakeholders to increase alertness, and also people’s involvement to minimize something unexpected. Meanwhile, related to terrorism, Regional Police Chief of Bengkulu Brigadier General Coky Manurung asked all his staffs, included civil service police Unit, people’s protection, and the public to participate in protecting Bengkulu province from terrorism threat. In addition, the meeting also conducted discussion related to readiness in welcoming Ramadhan by involving Regional Police of Bengkulu, Agency for Logistic Affairs, Trade Office, State Electricity Company and other related agencies. The program of ‘Flower city of a million colors’ to be carried out by Klaten Regent, Sri Mulyani continues to get support, either from society or the government and private institutions. Now, Education Office of Klaten also conducted the launching for the program support in its environment. The launching of the program in Klaten was signed on Wednesday (16/5). After the launching, Head of Education Office of Klaten, Sunardi said that the program is to respond the regent’s policy. The program is expected to be able to be implemented on blooming Friday movement throughout schools. Every Friday, all students must do greening at their schools’ environment. The Regent also hoped that the movement is included in the teaching and learning process. So, it is programmed well. Hopefully, all students are able to make Klaten regent’s policy successful this time. The launched program was attended by Klaten Regent, Sri Mulyani, marking cutting balloon ribbons and simultaneous planting of various types of flowers by the Regional Leadership Communication Forum.

We end Mosaic of the Archipelago with the news on poor people in East Belitung receive legal aid for free.

Poor people in East Belitung regency will be given legal aid for free. The aid is given beginning from handling the case until court verdict. East Belitung Regent, Yuslih Ihza said that his office has just signed cooperation agreement with Association of Public Policy Support Center  of Bangka-Belitung. The agreement is follow-up of MoU conducted in 2015. This was stated by Regent Yuslih Ihza in East Belitung on Wednesday (16/5). The legal aid is given for the process of both criminal and civil laws. The conditions are that the person who has case is to apply for legal aid to the regent through Law division. If anyone has identity of East Belitung, he or she is ready to be assisted. Regent Yuslih Ihza  also said that the legal aid is only granted to two persons or a group annually. Because, the budget is limited for two cases only. Since the program was started in 2015, there have been only 3 people who proposed the legal aid.

This is RRI World Service -Voice of Indonesia with Diplomatic Corner, a program which presents information about activities and progress of Indonesian diplomacy in the international world.

The first information is from Sydney.

Agency of creative economy participated in technology exhibition of CeBIT Australia 2018 in Sydney, Australia to promote startup companies from Indonesia. Deputy of infrastructure of the agency, Hari Sungkari has chance to give explanation on startup companies from Indonesia at one of the sessions at the exhibition. According to Hari, when presentation in the exhibition on Wednesday, his side has innovation, for example, there are motorbike taxi reservation to order service and house cleaning. There is also e-commerce. On the occasion, Hari also explained that the sectors where Indonesian startup companies involve are varied, not only on 8 startups which were chosen for exhibition at Indonesia pavilion. Hari also said one of the sectors, which has developed in Indonesia, is startup dealing with financial technology. One of the reasons is that only few Indonesian people have banking accounts so that  borrowing model of peer-to-peer lending is well-developed in Indonesia. The agency along with 8 startups from Indonesia holds exhibition during CeBIT Australia 2018 taking place at International Convention Center in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia from May 15 until 17.

The next information is from Denmark.

As many as 40 pensioners of Denmark, who join in Elder Sagen Denmark in Gladsaxe, want to visit Indonesia. This was revealed in Visit Indonesian Embassy in the Indonesian embassy in Copenhagen. Those pensioners were presented with Wonderful Indonesia video and traditional dance. This was stated by Head of Information and Socio-Cultural Functions at Indonesian Embassy in Copenhagen, Ismail Pulungan on Thursday. Indonesian Ambassador to Denmark, Muhammad Ibnu said that he invited those pensioners and even picked them up from Gladsaxe, one of satellite cities which is located around 15 kilometers from Copenhagen. The pensioners want to see directly Indonesia’s friendliness with various tourism potentials, diversity of flora and fauna and culinary. One of Indonesia’s typical foods is Rendang which is recognized internationally. Usually, through the promotion of Indonesian tourism and soft diplomacy, they were also presented national cuisines, such as fried rice, satay and fried noodle, plus coffee and tea. Denmark is potential market to promote Indonesian tourism and culture. According to the data, there is a significant increase of Danish citizens' visits to Indonesia over the last three years. Until May 2018, it is noted that 47,750 Danish people have visited Indonesia. To make easier trip to Indonesia, Indonesian representative will ensure fast, precise, easy, and transparent service to Danish people. 

We end Diplomatic Corner with the news from Egypt.

Indonesian government and PT. Inka explored opportunities sales of train and train system made of Indonesian people to Egypt. Indonesian Ambassador to Egypt, Helmy Fauzy said that his office has held a meeting with Minister of Transportation of Republic of Egypt, Dr. Hesham Arafat Mahdy along with his staffs on Tuesday (15/5). The meeting discussed opportunity of the cooperation of the two countries in train sector. Ambassador Helmy also said that Minister Hesham welcomed the Indonesia’s initiative, and he also hoped that the Indonesian government can participate in various projects which are and will be developed by the government of Egypt, such as locomotive and carriage rejuvenation and development of new railway. To follow-up the meeting, both Ambassador Helmy and Egyptian Minister of Transportation, Hesham Arafat Mahdy will immediately set team work. Egypt is interested in the signal system and executive carriages. Since 2016 for several times, PT. Inka  has visited Egypt to explore opportunity between Indonesia-Egypt in train. In early July,  PT Inka will participate in tender procurement of 2 locomotives and 6 train cars in Cairo.

Welcome to  “Indonesian Wonder”, a daily segment featuring  tourism, culinary arts, fine arts and culture from various regions across Indonesia. In today’s edition we will introduce the Carbide Cannon Tradition in Pontianak.

In Indonesia, most Muslims have the same tradition in celebrating Eid Al-Fitr or Lebaran. They usually come home (mudik) to celebrate Lebaran, Ied prayer, Gathering and pilgrimage. Muslims also serve rice cake or “ketupat” and chicken curry or “opor ayam” as special culinary of Lebaran. In addition, Indonesia also has a variety of customs, tribes and cultures. One of the unique traditions connected with Lebaran is Meriam Karbit or Carbide Cannon in Pontianak, West Kalimantan. The Carbide Cannon tradition has an interesting history. Perhaps, in ancient times the Sultanate of Kadriah in Pontianak which was established in 1771 - 1808 rang cannon to expel the ghost. Because at that time, the first Pontianak King, Syarif Abdurrahman Alkadrie when opened the land for his residence in Pontianak was disturbed by the ghosts. Then the Sultan ordered his troops to drive the ghosts by cannon. In addition, the loud sound of the carbide cannon usually signifies the time of magrib or evening prayer for muslims .  

As time goes by, the carbide cannon is lively performed for tourist attraction. The cannon is made of durian wood or coconut tree and then tied with a rope, so that the cannon does not move when thunder. Moreover the cannon is painted with interesting colors. The carbide cannon is approximately 4-7 meters long. It is perforated in the middle to ignite the fire until produce the boom sound. For one game it takes about 3-5 ounces of carbide.

The cannon that will be participated in the Traditional Carbide Cannon games must follow the requirements set by the Carbide Cannon Tradition community forum, art and culture of Pontianak. These requirements, are among others, the cannon should be decorated with various decorations, such as the background of the mosque. Therefore to make 1 cannon it is required about 3 to 5 million rupiah. The game of carbide cannon tradition is a unique game which usually perform to welcome the Eid Al-Fitr. Even the traditional game of Carbide Cannon is currently contested. It is already included in the tourism calendar and highly awaited by Pontianak people.

The Carbide Tradition Game located along the banks of the Kapuas River. Usually the game started since Lebaran minus 3 in the evening. The Carbide cannons are lined on two sides of the Kapuas river. Approaching magrib or evening prayer, one of the cannons is shot, to initiate as the time to break the fast. The sounding is very loud even sounded up to a radius of 5 Km. That was Indonesian Wonder for today with the topic “Carbide Cannon Tradition” in Pontianak.

Welcome back to Music Corner, a musical segment which introduces you to Indonesian music, either traditional or modern one. In today’s edition, we present some religious nostalgic songs from the Indonesian music group, Bimbo. Trio Los Bimbos was the forerunner of Bimbo group formed in 1967. Its personnel consists of 3 brothers Sam, Acil, and Jaka. In the mid-1970s, Trio Los Bimbos was later changed into Bimbo by adding a personnel, Iin Parlina, their younger sister. Along with Iin Parlina, the group began to compose the songs which describe about daily life themes, such as "Abang Becak". Entering the era of the 1980s, Bimbo began to make songs of social criticism and religious songs. Their first religious song entitled "Tuhan". 

The lyrics of this song were made by a famous Indonesian poet, Taufiq Ismail. The lyrics are simple but have a deep meaning wrapped with a touch of music from Sam and the characteristics vocal of Bimbo, make it becomes a legendary song and very famous among people especially the music lovers. Until now, the song is still often played, especially during the holy month of Ramadhan. This song tells about the greatness of God as a substance of the Almighty. If we come closer to GOD, then GOD certainly will be close to us.