JOKOWI SPRINGS SURPRISE WITH PRABOWO'S INCLUSION IN NEW CABINET

Rabu, 23 Okt 2019 20:27

Daerah : Jakarta

By Fardah

Jakarta, 23/10 (Antara) - Joko Widodos (Jokowis) arch rival in two consecutive presidential elections, Prabowo Subianto, appointed as Indonesias defense minister in Jokowis second-term administration cabinet line-up has surprised supporters of the respective presidential candidates in the last elections.

Subianto and Jokowi went head-to-head in the 2014 and 2019 heated elections that showcased a national divide, triggering a prolonged and fierce fight between Subiantos supporters called kampret (baby bats) and Jokowis supporters cebong (baby frogs) on social media.

Following the announcement of results of the presidential elections on May 22, 2019, unrest erupted in Jakarta, as Subiantos supporters believed that the April 2019 election was marred by massive and systematic frauds. At least nine people, mostly teenagers, were killed during the rally.

Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak, Prabowo Subiantos spokesman, recently stated during a television talk show that the retired general had accepted the offer since as a patriot, he was keen to give his utmost contribution to the country and nation. Furthermore, he has carved out a niche in defense affairs, so he accepted it, he stated.

"I believe I don't have to tell him about his job - he knows more than I do," Jokowi remarked while announcing Prabowo Subianto's new role.

Subianto, 68, was an ex-commander of the Indonesian Army's Special Forces (Kopassus) during the administration of Indonesia's second president Soeharto, who was also his father-in-law.



On Oct 21, Prabowo Subianto, the founder and chairman of Gerindra Party's Advisory Board, was called to the presidential palace by Jokowi. On the occasion, he was accompanied by Edhy Prabowo, the deputy chairman of Gerindra.

He accepted the offer to become defense minister to replace Ryamizard Ryacudu, while Edhy Prabowo as maritime affairs and fisheries minister to succeed Susi Pudjiastuti.

Subianto, the son of Indonesia's prominent economist Sumitro Djojohadikusumo, failed to become Golkar Party chairman and decided to establish Gerindra (Movement of Great Indonesia) party in 2008.

He contested thrice in the direct presidential elections, but success had eluded him until now. He was the vice presidential candidate, running mate of presidential candidate Megawati Soekarnoputri in 2009, and later the presidential candidate in the 2014 and 2019 presidential elections.

AWAITING MINISTERS TO WALK THE TALK OVER PUBLIC'S DEVELOPMENTAL BENEFITS

Senin, 21 Okt 2019 14:33

By Fardah

Jakarta, 21/10 (Antara) - During his presidential inauguration address on October 20, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) gave an insight into his aspirations of seeing Indonesia become an advanced nation, achieve near-zero poverty, and avoid the middle-income trap.
To this end, the head of state has outlined five priorities for his second five-year term for the 2019-2024 period, notably human resources development, infrastructure development, regulation simplification, bureaucracy simplification, and economic transformation.
Indonesia must channel its efforts towards developing hardworking, dynamic, and skilled human resources that have also gained mastery over technology and sciences, he noted.
He also vowed to continue the development of infrastructure to connect production regions with distribution regions, offer better access to tourist destinations, create new job opportunities, and increase added value of the people's economy.
Moreover, the president highlighted the need for simplifying regulations and deregulating to encourage micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and to offer more jobs.
To attract investment that can create job opportunities, he will also prioritize debureaucratization or simplification of bureaucracy.
The fifth priority concerning economic transformation aims to veer from dependency on natural resources to competitive manufacturing.
"We must transform from depending on natural resources into manufacturing competitiveness and modern services that have high added values for prosperity of the nation and for social justice for all Indonesian people," he stated.
Jokowi also expressed hope that Indonesia would emerge as a developed nation, with calculated income of Rp320 million per capita per year, or Rp27 million per capita per month.
"Our goal is that in 2045, Indonesia's gross domestic product can reach US$7 trillion. Indonesia has been listed among the world's five-largest economies, with nearly zero poverty rate. We have to achieve our goal," Jokowi stated.
To achieve the targets, Jokowi is seeking ministers that can not only implement his priority programs but are also capable of delivering the benefits of development programs to the people.
Jokowi spoke of scenarios when his ministers had updated him on the tasks they had conducted, though his on-field checks exposed the truth of the public yet to benefit from these programs.
The government's development programs should not merely focus on process, but it must also be oriented towards tangible results.
Jokowi is expected to announce his new cabinet line-up on Oct 21, a day after he and Ma'ruf Amin took their oath of office respectively as Indonesia's president and vice president for the 2019-2024 period.

ROUNDUP- SMOOT AND PEACEFUL JOKOWI'S SECOND PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION

Minggu, 20 Okt 2019 19:55

Daerah : Jakarta

By Fardah

Jakarta, 20/10 (Antara) - Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and Ma'ruf Amin took their oath of office respectively as Indonesia's President and Vice President for the 2019-2024 period in an official swearing-in ceremony taking place at the Parliament Building in Jakarta on Oct 20, 2019.

The presidential inauguration ceremony was conducted smoothly and peacefully amid tight security measure with some 31 thousand police and military officers deployed in the capital city.

In his inaugural address, Jokowi said his administration in the second five-year presidential term will prioritize human resources development, infrastructure, and debureaucratization to encourage investment that could create job opportunities.

Foreign dignitaries attending the inauguration ceremony included 17 heads of state and governments as well as special envoys, and 168 foreign ambassadors, according to Head of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Bambang Soesatyo.
Among the foreign leaders were Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad; Brunei Darussalams Sultan Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, King of Eswatini Mswati III, Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Cambodias Prime Minister Hun Sen and China's Vice President Wang Qishan.

The foreign leaders held separate meetings with President Jokowi prior to the inauguration and expressed their commitment to strengthen bilateral ties with Indonesia.
"They have expressed commitment to continuously strengthen bilateral cooperation with Indonesia. The President expressed gratitude for the presence of the guests including those coming from far away, to attend this inauguration ceremony," Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno LP Marsudi told the media at the Merdeka Palace.

In the meantime, Chief of the Indonesian Defences Forces (TNI) Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto earlier said the military and the Indonesian Police (Polri) deployed several helicopters, drones and Boeing aircraft for air security during the presidential inauguration.

Indonesia seeks inscription of more geoparks on UGGp List by Fardah

Jakarta,  Oct 17, 2019 (Antara) - Of Indonesia's 15 national geoparks, Batur in Bali, Ciletuh-Pelabuhanratu in West Java, Gunung Sewu in Yogyakarta, and Rinjani in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), have been included on the List of UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGGp).
No less than 110 Indonesian regions can potentially be developed into geoparks. However, the figure is yet small in comparison with China that has 220 national geoparks, of which 39 have been included on the UGGp List.
However, Indonesia should take pride in the fact that it has become the only country to have issued a presidential regulation on geopark development, notably the Presidential Regulation (Perpres) No. 9 of 2019 on National Geopark management, institution, and budget.
While hosting the Sixth Asia Pacific Geoparks Network (APGN) Symposium in Geopark Rinjani, Lombok, NTB, from Aug 30 to Sept 6, 2019, Indonesia had discussed its proposals on inscription of two more geoparks on the UGGp List.
"We have proposed the names of the two national geoparks of Belitung and Toba to be discussed for inclusion into the UNESCO global geoparks list during the APGN meeting in Lombok," Anton Setyo Nugroho, head of the Maritime Innovation Network Department of the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Office, concurrently secretary of the Indonesian National Geoparks Committee, stated recently.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) will reach a decision on whether to accept Indonesia's proposals during the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network (UGGN) meeting to be held in Paris, France, in April 2020.
Over 600 people, including scientists from France, Greece, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, and China, participated in the symposium themed “UNESCO Global Geoparks Toward Sustaining Local Communities and Reducing Geohazard Risk.”
The fourth UNESCO Global Geoparks Council meeting was also organized in parallel with the symposium in Lombok, from Aug 31 to Sept 2, 2019
In the meantime, during the 29th Workshop on Managing Potential Conflict in the South China Sea held in Batam, Riau Islands Province, on Sept 11, 2019, Indonesia's Foreign Affairs Ministry tabled a proposal to establish a geopark network in the South China Sea Rim.
Currently, at least 46 UNESCO Global Geoparks (GG) are there in the South China Sea Rim. The presence of geoparks helps to improve the economy and contribute to the prosperity of the local communities.
Indonesia sees huge potential in developing cooperation among geoparks in the South China Sea Rim in order to support nature and cultural conservations, develop the creative economy, and promote the tourism sector, the ministry's Director of the Centre for Policy Analysis and Development for Multilateral Affairs, Dindin Wahyudin, emphasized.
A regional geopark network can serve as a platform for sharing best practices and for capacity building. The network should promote the role of small and micro businesses in the region and encourage combined tour packages by connecting geoparks in the South China Sea as an integrated regional tourism destination and market.
Dindin cited the Langkawi Geopark in Malaysia as a good example of a geopark managing to bring about significant economic growth, particularly after its inscription into the UGGp List.
Currently, Indonesia is developing several geoparks, including the Natuna Geopark, which is strategically located adjacent to the South China Sea region.
Natuna was officially designated as the National Geopark of Indonesia on November 30, 2018, and Indonesia is currently promoting the Natuna Geopark as one of the UNESCO Global Geoparks.
In addition to positively impacting the local economy by increasing the flow of investments and tourists, the presence of the Geopark in Natuna can aid in environmental preservation while achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
Furthermore, the Ende district government is upbeat about the Kelimutu National Park and the adjoining area in Kelimutu Sub-district, Flores Island, East Nusa Tenggara Province, being designated a geopark area in 2021.
"Since 2018, we have made preparations for the establishment of a geopark in Kelimutu National Park, and the government's target is to ensure that it materializes in 2021," Hiparkus Hepi, head of the tourism office of Ende District, noted recently.
A working team has been formed to prepare the designation of Kelimutu National Park as a geopark, in cooperation with a team from West Java.
Consultants will conduct field studies on biodiversity, geology, and culture within the national park that is known for its unique three-colored lake.
"From birds, plants, and rocks, to the traditional culture in Kelimutu area will be studied, and the results will be examined by teams from the central government and UNESCO that has the authority to issue a recommendation on whether it is qualified," he stated.
In the meantime, as a follow-up of the Asia Pacific Symposium of Geoparks Network (APGN), a competence test for geopark guides was held in Lombok on September 17-18, 2019.
A total of 78 geopark guides participated in the first-ever competence test encompassing knowledge, skills, and conduct of geopark guides, T. B. Haeru Rahayu, assistant to the coordinating ministry's deputy-in-charge of maritime education and training, stated.
Geopark guides must have a broad understanding of geology and environmental cleanliness as well as be capable of providing public services and vital information to tourists.
"These guides are the envoys of Indonesia or at least envoys of the regions where they work. Tourists, their employers, and also the nation rely on them," he emphasized.

"MAKING INDONESIA 4.0" ROADMAP TO BE HIGHLIGHTED IN HANNOVER MESSE By Fardah

Selasa, 15 Okt 2019 14:44

Daerah : Jakarta

Jakarta, 15/10 , 2019(Antara) - Hannover Messe 2020, the world's top industrial technology tradeshow, will give center stage to its partner nation, Indonesia, to chiefly portray its vast economic potentials and particularly the Making Indonesia 4.0" roadmap to draw investment.
Indonesia is well-known among many as a tourist destination, especially Bali, Flores, and Borobudur, and an agreeable location for holidaying.
However, not many are aware of the fact that Indonesia is a member of G20, one of the largest manufacturing economies in Asia and, by far, the largest economy within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The archipelagic nation also harbors aspirations of ranking among the top 10 economies globally by 2030.
"We are way beyond just a tourist destination. We, as a nation, are a large economy," Indonesian Ambassador to Germany Arif Havas Oegroseno told the media in Berlin in September 2019.
The ambassador believes that the true potential of Indonesia's economy is yet to be fully understood and grasped by the German public. Indonesia will have a huge opportunity to seize the relocation of industries.
Indonesia is also upbeat about bolstering its national brand to draw more foreign investors and establishing cooperation in the industrial sector.
After 1995, Indonesia has been re-selected as the official partner country of Hannover Messe. As an official partner country, Indonesia will occupy a 1,300-square-meter central pavilion and several thematic satellite pavilions.
In the presence of German Economic Minister Peter Altmaier, the Partner Country contract was inked in Jakarta on Nov 1, 2018, by Ngakan Timur Antara, acting director general of Industrial Resilience and International Access Development, Indonesias Ministry of Industry, and Dr Jochen Kckler, chief executive officer of Deutsche Messe AG.
Dr Jochen Kocler pointed to Indonesia's proposal to be the official partner country of Hannover Messe being well-received by the Deutch Messe and German Government.

West Sumatra readies to hold 11th Tour de Singkarak by Fardah

West Sumatra Province is gearing up to implement its iconic sports tourism event of Tour de Singkarak (TdS), the international cycling race, scheduled on November 2-10, 2019.

The route for the 11^th edition of the TdS will be expanded this year for the first time to also cover Jambi Province.

Offering prizes amounting to Rp2.3 billion, TdS is the biggest international cycling race in Indonesia that has promoted tourist destinations in West Sumatra, so far.

Foreign and domestic cyclists participating in TdS are entertained with local traditional dances and culinary delicacies, with the hopes that they would one day return to Indonesia with their families and friends as well as share their experiences on social media.

"TdS has a high media value, so its implementation will affect the promotion and image of tourist destinations in West Sumatra and Jambi," Tourism Minister Arief Yahya stated.

This year, West Sumatra is optimistic of attracting 58,447 foreign tourists and 8.4 million domestic tourists.

This year, West Sumatra is promoting 49 major tourist attractions, of which three have been included in the “Calendar of 100 Wonderful Events” managed by the Tourism Ministry.

The three main tourism events are Pasa Harau Art And Cultural Festival, Tour de Singkarak (TdS), and Minangkabau Cultural Festival.