ASEAN TO FORGE CLOSER COOPERATION ON CYBER SECURITY by Fardah

 Jakarta, May 31, 2018 (Antara) - The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), under the chairmanship of Singapore this year, is giving a priority to cyber issues, especially cyber security.

        Cybersecurity was under the spotlight during the 32nd ASEAN Summit held in Singapore on April 28, 2018. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong of Singapore emphasised the importance of cyber issues in his remarks, noting that deeper regional cooperation and coordination was needed to keep up with the rapid pace of digitalisation.

         New regional initiatives have been introduced - from the ASEAN Cyber Capacity Programme (ACCP) in 2016 to the new ASEAN Cybersecurity Cooperation Strategy adopted in 2017.
   A number of regional partners and international organisations such as Interpol and the United Nations have also been working with Southeast Asian states on cyber issues.

        Besides, several member-countries of ASEAN have set up new cyber agencies. In Indonesia, for instance, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) inaugurated a national cyber agency called the National Cyber and Encryption Agency (BSSN) in June 2017.

         The number of internet users in Indonesia has reached some 132 million, making it is crucial for the country to develop reliable cybersecurity mechanisms.     President Jokowi at the Singapore summit underscored the need for ASEAN to stay alert against cyber attacks. To that end, member-states needed to work more closely on digital technology and cyber security, he said while addressing a plenary of the 32nd ASEAN Summit.

          "We know there has been abuse of personal data by Facebook users. In ASEAN, we need to ensure the framework of cooperation in cyber security, which also contains the protection of personal data. Hence, cooperation in the cyber field is a must," he said.

PREVENTING SOCIAL MEDIA FROM BEING USED TO SPREAD RADICALISM by Fardah

Jakarta, May 31, 2018 (Antara) - In the era of information technology, terrorists have used the internet to conduct propaganda, recruitment, planning, and funding as well as to carry out terror activities.

         Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim-majority country, is exposed to threats, as over 120 million Indonesians use the internet, and over 200 million Indonesians have mobile phones.

         One of the manifestations of cybercrimes is the misuse of internet, including social media, by terrorists, according to Head of the National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) Commissioner General Suhardi Alius.

         In his speech during the 27th meeting of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice held on May 14-18 in Vienna, Austria, Alius urged countries in the world to strengthen international cooperation to prevent and combat terrorism and highlight the dangers of internet abuse by terrorists.

         Comprehensive and holistic efforts through cooperation among all stakeholders in the country and international collaboration are the keys to overcoming the problem, he noted while outlining three steps to prevent the abuse of cyberspace.

         Firstly, protecting vulnerable groups of people, especially women and youth, from the influence of radical ideology spread over the internet.

         Secondly, countries must promote the values of tolerance, moderation, and peaceful culture as a counter-narrative to the radical ideology that has fostered violence and extremism.

         Thirdly, countries should continue to collaborate and strengthen partnerships with internet providers.

MEDICAL SERVICES GET BOOSTER DOSE FOR ASIAN GAMES by Fardah

Jakarta, May 29, 2018 (Antara) - The Indonesian government has sought to breathe new life into medical services in preparation for the 18th Asian Games, to be held from August 18 to September 2, and the Third Asian Para Games from October 6 to 13.

         The Asian Games will be held in Jakarta and Palembang, South Sumatra Province, while the Asian Para Games will be in Jakarta, mainly at the Bung Karno Sport Stadium.

         Some 9,500 athletes, 2,500 personnel of the Asian Olympic Council, and 5,500 technical delegates from 45 Asian countries will participate in the Asian Games. At least 3,500 media representatives are expected to cover the Games. And providing all of them world class medical facilities is daunting.

         Around 3,000 differently abled athletes and 1,000 officials from 43 Asian countries will participate in the Asian Para Games.

         The Indonesian contingent at the Asian Games could reach 1,500 as the host will take part in all events. Indonesia's target is to place in the top ten at the Asian Games, according to the Youth and Sports
Affairs Minister, Imam Nahrawi.

         The Indonesian authorities have ensured tight security measures that will meet international standards during the largest sport event in Asia.

         Besides security, the government has also pledged to provide optimum medical services during the Games.

         Kartini Rustandi, Director in the Ministry of Health, stated that since 2017, the ministry had been conducting workshops to select and train medical personnel to provide services during the 2018 Asian Games.

SECURITY FOR ASIAN GAMES 2018 TO MEET INT'L STANDARDS by Fardah

Jakarta, May 29, 2018 (Antara) - Indonesia will tighten security measures in accordance with international standards for the 18th Asian Games to be held in Jakarta and the South Sumatra provincial capital of Palembang, from August 18 to September 2. 
     Some 9,500 athletes, 2,500 personnel of the Asian Olympic Council, and 5,500 technical delegates from 45 countries will participate. At least 3,500 media representatives are expected to cover the Games.

        Security arrangement for the biggest sport event in Asia was discussed in a meeting chaired by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) in Jakarta on May 28.   
    The Chairman of the Indonesia Asian Games 2018 Organising Committee (Inasgoc), Erick Tohir, said he had worked in coordination with the police and the military to ensure the success of the Games.

        At the meeting, President Jokowi emphasised the importance of assuring all participants that Indonesia was safe.

         Indonesia would ensure that security during the Asian Games and the third Para Games to be held in Jakarta from October 6 to13 would meet the international standards set by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and the Asian Paralympic Committee (APC).

          "I have asked the Indonesian Asian Games Organising Committee (Inasgoc) and the Indonesian Asian Para Games Organising Committee (Inapgoc) to inform OCA and APC that the condition in Indonesia was safe as the security officers had managed to control the situation," the Youth and Sports Affairs Minister, Imam Nahrawi, said recently.

            The organising committees decided to go ahead with the schedules because the situation had been restored to normal after the bombing incidents in Surabaya, East Java, he noted in early May.  
    Earlier, the House Speaker, Bambang Soesatyo, also called for the implementation of international standard security measures for the Asian Games. He urged the military (TNI) and the police to work hard to secure the event.

NTB ISLAMIC CENTER BECOMES HALAL TOURISM ICON by Fardah

            Jakarta, May 24, 2018 (Antara) - West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) has every element and facility to support its aspirations to become a world-class Halal tourism destination.

         The province, with a Muslim-majority population, has been blessed with scenic natural beauty in the form of white sandy beaches, crystal-clear seas, and mountain, among others.

        Lombok, one of the two major islands in NTB,  was adjudged the best halal tourism and honeymoon destination during the World Halal Travel Awards 2015 held in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, in October 2015.

          The NTB administration has hoped these awards would serve as a starting point to seriously develop Lombok as a halal tourism destination.

          The awards have instilled a sense of pride and optimism in the NTB administration to promote its tourism attractions nationally and internationally to lure more domestic and foreign tourists, particularly Muslims, who want to enjoy halal or Shariah tourism.    
    Some 65 percent of the 4.7 million population of NTB lives in Lombok and up to 93 percent of them are Muslims. 
    Lombok Island, one of the two major islands of NTB, is also called "One Thousand Mosque Island". Taufan Hidjaz, a researcher and author of a book entitled "Lombok, Land With Thousands of Mosques", wrote that 518 villages on Lombok Island have some 9,000 mosques.

   
    The NTB provincial capital of Mataram has a large Islamic Center called the Hubbul Wathan Islamic Center and Grand Mosque, which has now become an icon of Halal tourism in the province.  
    Hubbul Wathan Grand Mosque, located in the NTB Islamic Center, is the largest and most beautiful one in the province. The mosque's minaret stands 114 meters tall.

INDONESIA TO PREPARE HUMAN RESOURCES FOR INDUSTRY 4.0 by Fardah

Jakarta, May 22 , 2018(Antara) - After focusing on massive infrastructure development, the Indonesian government is now set to prioritize the development of human resources to prepare them for the industrial revolution termed Industry 4.0, starting this year.

         Industry 4.0, also known as the Fourth Industrial Revolution, will revolutionize the manufacturing and production industries by integrating Internet of Things, data integration, cloud computing, and other technological advancements into the heart of production and manufacturing systems.

        Undeniably, improving the competence of human resources is the key to success in facing the Industry 4.0, according to Industry Minister Airlangga Hartarto.

         "This is in line with the road map of Making Indonesia 4.0, in which we need to utilize the demographic bonus to bring to reality the general aspirations to place Indonesia in the ranks of the 10 largest economies in the world in 2030," Minister Hartarto noted.   
   The road map was prepared based on the directives of President Joko Widodo, who has continued campaigning all over the country in cabinet meetings and other forums stressing the importance of Indonesia to be ready to face the 4th industrial revolution.

        "With full confidence, the president said that Indonesia may not be lagging behind in entering the new era. We have also held discussions regarding the program with several relevant agencies, such as Fraunhofer, JICA, JETRO, and especially with AT Kearney," Hartarto noted.

       The minister expressed optimism, as Indonesia will benefit from the demographic bonus in the next decade when majority or 70 percent of the population will comprise people from the productive age group of 15-64 years.

INDONESIA URGES UN TO PROBE GAZA SLAUGHTER BY ISRAELI FORCES by Fardah

 Jakarta, May 19, 2018 (Antara) - In less than 24 hours on May 14, 2018, 62 Palestinians were killed and more than 2,000 were injured by Israeli forces, on the same day when Israel and the United States celebrated the move of US embassy to Jerusalem.
          The slaughter of Palestinians were condemned worldwide including by  the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, the Security Council, and Indonesia.
          The Government of Indonesia, in a statement on May 15, strongly condemned the excessive use of force and the shootings of Palestinian civilians, who were demonstrating at the Gaza-Israel borders, by Israeli Army.
         "The government and people of Indonesia are saddened and express our deepest condolences against the killing of Palestinian civilians, including children, who were demonstrating at the Gaza-Israel borders," Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
           Indonesia, furthermore, called on the United Nations Security Council to immediately convene in order to take urgent steps and conduct an independent international investigation to hold responsible all perpetrators of such violence.
           The Southeast Asian country also called on the international community to continue the struggle for justice for an independent and sovereign Palestinian nation.
           The Government of Indonesia has also strongly condemned the illegal decision by the US Administration to open its embassy in Jerusalem by calling the move as a violation of a number of resolutions of UN Security Council and UN General Assembly, as well as jeopardizing the peace process in Palestine.