VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Mayor of Salatiga and The Head of National Library officialy open the Silent Cafe - 

The Salatiga Silent Cafe is a form of actualization of literacy classes in the social inclusion-based library transformation program (TPBIS) managed by the Salatiga City Library and Archives Service by involving the Deaf Friends Community. Uniquely, consumers who want to order coffee must use the signal symbols posted on the table. This is the main attraction.

The cafe, which was formed in November 2022, is now part of the Salatiga regional public library. For people with disabilities who are deaf and mute, this cafe is a place for socializing, creating creations and increasing their own welfare.

Acting Mayor of Salatiga Sinoeng Noegroho Rachmadi said that apart from the existence of the Silent Cafe, the Salatiga City public library also presented a superior innovation program for early childhood called SINISA (Salatiga early literacy).

"The form of SINISA is reading books for toddlers. And given free to young children as the first book. This is an effort to support the creation of a literacy family in Salatiga City," added the Acting Mayor.

The SINISA book contains aspects of intelligence which include linguistic (verbal), mathematical logic, spatial intelligence (room), kinesthetic intelligence (physical and movement), and musical intelligence, interpersonal intelligence, and intrapersonal intelligence (inside).

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Monday, the innovation of the SINISA program has the full support of the Head of the National Library, Muhammad Syarif Bando. The intentions and efforts made by the Salatiga municipal government should have been given that the task of educating the nation's children has been written in the mandate of the 1945 Constitution.

“Our current challenge is the digital era. Because when educational assignments are given and students are asked to look for references from Google. So, the thought process seems to have been completed, only the internet is enough to answer," explained Syarif Bando.

It's no wonder then that Google conducted a survey, the results of which found that the average Indonesian child is able to play the internet for 7 hours a day.

"This is certainly not progress, but setbacks," he said.

On the same occasion the Financial Services Authority (OJK) regional office 3 in the Central Java region and DI Yogyakarta helped establish the Integrated Financial Information Center in Salatiga City as literacy support and part of the financial inclusion ecosystem.

This program was initiated by the Regional Financial Acceleration Team, the Library and Archives Service, and the Literacy Mother of the City of Salatiga.

"There are three groups being targeted, namely women's groups, students, and MSME players," said Head of OJK Regional 3 Sumarjono.

The Integrated Financial Information Center that was formed, added Sumarjono, contributed to increasing understanding of financial products and services which included financial planning, investment alert, to online loans (pinjol).

Sumarjono promised to include derivative programs such as Financial Literacy Day, Financial Literacy Proficient Women and Financial Literacy Motivator Youth, as well as the Financial Education Program for MSME Actors.

He reasoned that in Central Java there is an imbalance (gap) between the level of financial literacy and financial inclusion. If this is not resolved, problems will arise, such as the rise of loans and illegal investments.

"We do this solely to drive the regional economy and support the Community Literacy Improvement Index," he added.

The involvement of literacy mothers in the program carried out by the OJK was also mentioned as a form of breakthrough and accelerated information dissemination because it could optimize the role of PKK mothers.

And the City of Salatiga became the first city designated for the establishment of an Integrated Financial Information Center in Central Java.

The Book Exhibition and Literacy Expo for the City of Salatiga were held in commemoration of the 1,273th Anniversary of the City of Salatiga.

This exhibition was enlivened by various MSME products, various workshops, and musical entertainment. In addition, a number of products from persons with disabilities were also exhibited//VOI

Illustration : Children plays traditonal games - 

Welcoming the school holidays, Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) offers many exciting activities which are summarized under the theme "Gathering Boys".

This holiday week will take place from 15 June to 15 July 2023. This event aims to provide a fun and educational experience for students. children during school holidays.

Apart from that, it is also possible for adults who want to re-live childhood memories, play, and feel happiness with friends or family.

TMII management has prepared various traditional Indonesian games that children can play for free, such as stilts, dakon, tops, tapak gunung, rubber jumps, kites, marbles, and many more.

In addition to old games, there is also an indoor children's bicycle arena, traditional dance performances, umkm festivals, village snack festivals, music concerts, urban wayang, and exhibitions showcasing the richness of Indonesian culture.

"We want to provide a different experience for children during school holidays. So, forget about gadgets and school assignments, let the children enjoy their childhood happily. Let kids be kids." said Claudia Ingkiriwang, Main Director of TMII.

"We hope that children can learn about Indonesian culture and become part of the culture itself through traditional games that children can play for free and dance performances where children can dance together."

Besides that, children can also enjoy a comfortable and spacious green open area. There are also a variety of delicious Indonesian culinary delights to meet the needs of visitors.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Saturday, TMII has also implemented various security measures to ensure the safety and health of visitors with the availability of health service posts and security officers who are always on standby in the field.

TMII is open every day from 06.00 to 18.00 WIB. Visitors are expected to purchase tickets online to avoid long lines and ensure a smooth and easy experience//VOI

UK Deputy Prime Minister after attending a meeting in Downing Street - 

The UK Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden MP will visit Indonesia on 25-26 June 2023 and will be meeting with Coordinating Minister for Maritime and Investment Affairs Luhut Binsar Panjaitan to discuss potential collaborations on economic security, critical minerals and progress of the UK-Indonesia Investment Cooperation MoU signed last year. He will also meet with ASEAN Deputy Secretary General Michael Tene to highlight UK support for Indonesia’s ASEAN Chairmanship and to discuss how the UK will deliver on its commitments under the ASEAN Dialogue Partner agreement.

Mr Dowden will also be meeting with the Head of National Cyber and Encryption Agency (BSSN) Lieutenant General (ret.) Hinsa Siburian to follow up on the recent UK - Indonesia Cyber Security Dialogue that took place in London in March 2023, sign an MoU on UK-Indonesia Cyber Security Cooperation, and launch a UK-funded cyber capacity building programme for Indonesia.

“There is a huge amount of potential to strengthen the UK’s relationship with Indonesia, as the largest economy in South East Asia. Our mutual trade and investment already increased by almost a third last year and as Indonesia Chairs ASEAN this year, we will support a free and open Indo-Pacific as a new ASEAN Dialogue Partner" UK Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden MP said. 

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Saturday, issues like access to critical minerals, free trade and cyber security affect all of the prosperity in an interconnected world.

The Deputy Prime Minister is look forward to meeting Indonesian Ministers in these areas and building on March’s UK-Indonesia Cyber Dialogue here in London, with even deeper cooperation between the cyber security experts and the BSSN.

Meanwhile British Charge d’Affaires Matthew Downing explain that the visit by UK Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden reaffirms the UK’s commitment to further the collaborations with Indonesia and ASEAN. As ASEAN Chair this year, Indonesia plays an important role in driving the bloc’s ambitions as a fast growing, inclusive, sustainable and economic region.   

"The Indo-Pacific is an increasingly important region and we want to deepen our relationships here, including by bolstering cyber security cooperation with Indonesia. In the last few years, the UK has worked with the Indonesian government to improve cybersecurity regulations for the banking sector; secure the vital telemedicine sector; and deliver information security through exercises and training. I hope this visit will further strengthen our work on cyber security”, Matthew Downing added. 

“As ASEAN’s newest Dialogue Partner, the UK is committed to deepening our longstanding relationship and delivering a comprehensive ASEAN-UK Plan of Action, which includes upholding ASEAN centrality and strengthening cooperation in addressing regional and global challenges", UK Ambassador to ASEAN Sarah Tiffin said. 

The visit by UK Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden is a clear demonstration of the UK’s long term commitment to ASEAN and our ambition to contribute to peace, prosperity and development in the region”//VOI

Illustration : Tourist visiting Kelimutu lake -  

The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy/Tourism and Creative Economy Agency (Kemenparekraf/Baparekraf) held a Familiarization Trip (FAM Trip) for _influencers_ from India as an effort to boost foreign tourist arrivals (tourists), especially for the country's market to Indonesia.

Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy/Head of the Tourism and Creative Economy Agency (Menparekraf/Kabaparekraf) Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, in his statement in Jakarta, Sunday (24/6/2023) explained that India is one of the contributors to foreign tourists to Indonesia and so far tourists from India like Bali as their wedding destination.

In general, wedding organizer industry players in India consider Bali to be very suitable for Indian tourists because it has similar artistic and cultural tendencies.

"This activity is a collaboration between the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy with Singapore Airlines and Garuda Indonesia airlines which will focus on promoting 5 Super Priority Destinations (DSP).

With various strategic steps carried out with partners to promote Indonesia, it is hoped that this will encourage economic revival, create jobs, and open up the widest possible business opportunities," said Menparekraf Sandiaga Uno.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Saturday, this effort is also a follow-up to Indonesia's participation in the international tourism exhibition South Asia's Travel & Tourism Exchange (SATTE) 2023 in New Delhi in February 2023.

At that time the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy brought along industry players from Labuan Bajo who offered tour packages to the public in Indonesia.

And on the FAM Trip this collaboration will also introduce Labuan Bajo as a world-class destination to the Indian _influencers_ who are participating.

Deputy for Marketing for the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Ni Made Ayu Marthini, said the FAM Trip was held from 24 to 29 June 2023 in Labuan Bajo. Participants who participated consisted of 3 travel influencers from India, namely Anupriya (IG @anupriyakapur), Rashmi Chadha (IG @rashmichadha), and Mahi Sharma (IG @maahieway).

According to him, Bali has become _top of mind_ for Indian tourists when traveling to Indonesia. Therefore, the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy wants to introduce another destination that is no less interesting to them, namely Labuan Bajo which is one of the Super Priority Tourism Destinations.

"Through this FAM Trip, we want to convey a message so that foreign tourists, especially from India, can add Labuan Bajo destinations to their trips to Indonesia. It's very easy to get there, you can go through Jakarta directly to Labuan Bajo by taking a two-hour flight, not even an hour by plane from Bali," said Made.

The segmentation of many Indian tourists visiting Indonesia includes couples, families, millennials, and gen Z who are considered suitable for Labuan Bajo destinations with a choice of exotic places, various activities, and various types of accommodation ranging from homestays to luxury resorts.

Ni Made added that the implementation of the FAM Trip this time was supported by various parties, namely Plataran Komodo Resort & Spa, Sea Safari Cruise, Meruorah Labuan Bajo, Grand Komodo Tours, and Anara Airport Hotel Terminal 3 Soekarno-Hatta Airport.

FAM Trip participants arrived in Indonesia on 24 June 2023 and spent the night at Anara Airport Hotel Terminal 3 to continue their flight to Labuan Bajo the next day. It is hoped that the waiting area which is very wide and varied, complete facilities, and the availability of a 4-star hotel, namely Anara Airport Hotel, will convey the message that Terminal 3 is a convenient airport for transit.

In Labuan Bajo, participants will visit the Komodo National Park area with a live on board experience aboard the Sea Safari Cruise Phinisi Sea Safari VII. With this Phinisi, they will visit several destinations, namely Padar Island, Komodo Island, Pink Beach, and Taka Makassar.

Furthermore, participants will be invited to explore the Wae Rebo Tourism Village with a tour package prepared by Grand Komodo Tours. One of the highest villages in Indonesia with an altitude of 1200 meters above sea level and nicknamed the village above the clouds is the right choice for Indian tourists from the millennial and generation Z segments who like adventure.

As a village that has won the 2012 UNESCO Asia Pacific Heritage Awards, of course a challenging trip will pay off with the beauty of the village surrounded by mountains and valleys.

While in Labuan Bajo, participants will also experience a stay that will definitely be memorable. Labuan Bajo is currently very ready to be visited by foreign tourists, this can be seen by the availability of various types of accommodation, from homestays, star hotels to luxury resorts.

Participants will stay at Plataran Komodo Resort & Spa which will provide a unique experience in the form of a _resort_ by the sea with amazing views. At Plataran, _influencers_ will also experience the feel of having breakfast accompanied by _sunrise_ and stunning views of Labuan Bajo.

In addition, participants will also stay at Meruorah Labuan Bajo which is the venue for the ASEAN Summit in May 2023. Apart from good standard hotel facilities, exotic views of the waters of the Flores Sea are also the belle of Meruorah.

It seems to be a gateway to adventure exploring the islands around Labuan Bajo. The _influencer_ participants will share their experiences and excitement during their trip in Labuan Bajo with their _followers_ in India by uploading them to social media and it is hoped that this will inspire potential tourists from India to travel in Indonesia, especially Labuan Bajo//VOI