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Youth and Sports Minister Dito Ariotedjo chairing a PON coordination meeting in Medan, North Sumatra, on Friday (May 17, 2024). (Photo by: ANTARA/HO-Humas Kemenpora/Herry)

VOINews, Jakarta: Preparations for this year's quadrennial national sports event, the 21st National Sports Week (PON) Aceh-North Sumatra, have almost reached completion, according to Youth and Sports Minister Dito Ariotedjo.

As quoted by Antara "Overall, the preparations are well done. I think we only need to take some more minor steps prior to the holding of the event," he noted in the Youth and Sports Ministry's statement received in Jakarta on Saturday.

While chairing a PON preparation coordination meeting in Medan, North Sumatra Province, on Friday (May 17), Ariotedjo observed that the province is ready to co-host the national event but still needs to speed up some technical and non-technical preparations.

The minister also affirmed that the 21st PON would be held as initially planned on September 8-20, dismissing rumours about postponement circulating in the public.

"It should be noted that this year's PON will be the first to take place in two provinces. Hence, adaptation is required. There will be no postponement, as both North Sumatra and Aceh have been showing cohesiveness and progress," he stated.

During the meeting, Ariotedjo also spoke about the plan to organize the National Paralympics Week (Peparnas).

"It (Peparnas) has been under discussion. We will highlight it during a meeting with Mr. President (Joko Widodo). We will take necessary steps posthaste," he said.

Meanwhile, Acting North Sumatra Governor Hassanudin expressed optimism about his province becoming a successful co-host and participant of the upcoming PON.

"We would like to thank Mr. Minister for his presence here and his support for our preparations for PON. As a co-host, we surely hope for a successful and smooth running event," he remarked.

During the 21st PON, Aceh will host 33 sports branches involving 5,636 athletes and 2,572 officials. Meanwhile, North Sumatra will accommodate 34 sports branches, with 6,281 athletes and 3,140 officials participating.//Antara/VOI

VOINews, Jakarta: Spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry of Vietnam Pham Thu Hang has said that like many other countries, Vietnam follows with keen interest the expanding membership of BRICS – a group of emerging economies that includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.

As reported by Vovworld.vn (10/5) at a press conference in Hanoi, Ms. Hang responded to a question about the possibility of Vietnam joining BRICS this year.

 According to Pham Thu Hang, Vietnam is a responsible and active member of the international community that follows a foreign policy of multilateralism, diversification, independence, and self-reliance. 

She  has further said Vietnam is always ready to participate in and contribute actively to global and regional multilateral mechanisms, organizations, and forums.VOI/Vovworld.vn

VOInews, Jakarta: Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas ensured that food for elderly Hajj pilgrims will be tailored to their needs in order to meet their protein and nutritional requirements.

"Last year, the kitchen's performance was good. I also see that there is a special menu for the elderly pilgrims. I hope this kitchen can provide the best service for pilgrims," Minister Qoumas stated here on Friday.

As reported by Antara, The minister made this statement after reviewing a catering company that will serve Hajj pilgrims in Medina.

At least 20 percent of the food cooked in the kitchen is for elderly pilgrims. The menu is the same, with the only difference being that the food is cooked to be more smoother and softer in terms of the texture and consistency.

In the kitchen, Minister Qoumas was welcomed by the owner of the catering company. An executive chef from Cipanas, Bogor, named Wan Abdurahman, was also present in the kitchen.

Qoumas also spoke with several chefs and assistants in the kitchen, and most of them were from Indonesia.

He sought information from them about several things, such as the availability of vegetables and spices from Indonesia, for instance, tempeh and tofu. The minister stated that Indonesians love tempeh and tofu to which Abdurahman agreed.

Tempeh and tofu are not only preferred by Hajj pilgrims but also feature in the favorite menus of Umrah pilgrims. In a day, the kitchen can cook up to hundreds of tempeh and tofu blocks that were also produced by Indonesians.

Qoumas also inquired about the readiness of food storage and the availability of ingredients.

Abdurahman explained that the kitchen has six large food storages where beef, chicken, fish, and egg are stored.

Indonesian spices, such as lemongrass, galangal, pandan leaves, orange leaves, coconut milk, and peanuts, were also available.VOI/Antara

VOnews, Jakarta: The celebration of the 217th Anniversary of the Jakarta Archdiocese serves as proof of the Indonesian nation's success in nurturing and preserving unity and integrity, Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Syaiful Rahmat Dasuki stated.

Quoting from Antara, Dasuki affirmed that the participation of thousands of interfaith and intercultural people in a six-kilometer walk around the Jakarta Cathedral reflects the well-fostered unity and integrity in the country.

"In this activity, people from different ethnicities are wearing traditional attires, reaffirming the Indonesian nation's passion for interfaith tolerance, unity, and integrity," he remarked at the Jakarta Cathedral on Saturday.

Dasuki expressed hope that all religious organizations and groups would emulate the activity to ensure the resilience of people's unity and love for the motherland in the midst of this era of rapid changes.

"The Ministry of Religious Affairs surely appreciates this event," he noted.

On the same occasion, spokesperson of the Jakarta Archdiocese Susyana Suwadie remarked that the commemorative walk drew participation from over three thousand people.

She said the participants comprised not only representatives of parishes in Jakarta but also members of interfaith organizations and communities in the city and surrounding regions.

"The number of participants (this year) is higher than that of previous years," she pointed out.

Suwadie then noted that during the celebration, the participants expressed their creativity by performing traditional art performances, such as Ondel-ondel Betawi and Reog Ponorogo.Furthermore, the spokesperson emphasized the need for interfaith communities in Indonesia to continue to build harmony, promote peace, and spread messages of love. 

She then noted that such positive values have been continuously endorsed by the Jakarta Archdiocese since its establishment on May 8, 1807. VOI/Antara