VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

A foreign tourist visits the Dazu Rock Sculpture scenic spot in Chongqing, China, July 19, 2024. (ANTARA/Xinhua/Wang Quanchao)

The first film screening on the opening night of the 26th French Cinema Festival, Friday (22/11/2024) in Jakarta. (Photo: RRI Voice of Indonesia/Ofra)

Soldiers from the Indonesian National Army's Mechanized Battalion Task Force (Yonmek) Garuda Indobatt Contingent XXIII-R/UNIFIL clear debris from the road to open a logistics distribution route in South Lebanon. (11/4/2024). ANTARA/HO-Penerangan Satgas Yonmek TNI Konga XXIII-R/UNIFIL.

VOI News, Jakarta: The Foreign Ministry has emphasized that Indonesia will not withdraw Indonesian Defense Forces personnel from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), and they will continue to carry out their duties.

"Indonesia's peacekeeping forces continue to carry out their duties based on the direction of the UNIFIL Force Commander while ensuring their safety and security," spokesperson of the ministry, Rolliansyah Soemirat said in a written statement released in Jakarta on Friday.

As reported by Antara News Agency (22/11), he stressed that Indonesia remains committed to supporting the UN Peacekeeping Mission (MPP) in southern Lebanon, which is in keeping with the mandate of the Constitution.

Indonesia, he said, is still the largest troop-contributing country to UNIFIL, with a total of 1,230 personnel.

Indonesia's commitment to continue serving in UNIFIL is in line with the UN's decision to keep peacekeeping troops in Lebanon, he added.

"The Indonesian government continues to communicate and coordinate with various parties to ensure the safety and security of its personnel in Lebanon," he said.

Soemirat also assured that TNI personnel in UNIFIL are still safe and healthy.

Earlier, Argentina became the first country to withdraw its troops from UNIFIL, citing safety concerns. The country had sent four personnel to UNIFIL.

The withdrawal of personnel from UNIFIL is the prerogative of each country, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, said on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, President Prabowo Subianto, during his meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Brazil on Sunday, reiterated Indonesia's commitment to continue supporting the strengthening of UN peacekeeping forces.

"The need for peacekeeping forces, we are ready to provide troops," Prabowo said, adding that Indonesia is ready to send peacekeeping forces to Palestine if needed.

Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture, Pratikno (center), issuing a press statement in Jakarta on Friday (November 22, 2024). (ANTARA/Asep Firmansyah/rst)

VOI News, Jakarta:  Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno will discuss the proposal to eliminate the school zoning system with Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Abdul Mu'ti.

"We have not discussed it and will confirm it with Minister Mu'ti," Pratikno said on Friday as reported by Antara News Agency (22/11).

Earlier, Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka has asked Minister Mu'ti to eliminate the school zoning system in new student admissions (PPDB).

"During a meeting with the heads of education services, I stated to the Minister of Education regarding the elimination of the zoning system,"he said.

According to him, education is key for building a golden generation and Golden Indonesia 2045, therefore it is important to provide conveniences in accessing education.

Pratikno said he had heard the proposal from the vice president, and it is being processed by the minister of primary and secondary education.

Meanwhile, Commission X of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) said that the elimination of the school zoning system in PPDB must consider the aspirations conveyed by the community to the government so that it has a positive impact on the education sector.

"We should listen to the opinions of the public and stakeholders by inviting stakeholders, including Minister Mu'ti, education services, teachers, parents, and education observers, to discuss the effectiveness of zoning and public complaints," Commission X chair Hetifah Sjaifudian said.

Besides gathering opinions, the impact of the PPDB zoning system must be studied first, including conducting an in-depth evaluation of its positive and negative impacts since the system was implemented, she added.

According to her, the zoning system in PPDB is aimed at providing closer access to education, reducing disparities in school quality, and preventing discrimination in education.

However, Sjaifudian agreed that the system has its own flaws, such as the unpreparedness of educational facilities in various regions and disparities in quality between schools.