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April
The Indonesia-Africa Forum –IAF was officially opened by Vice President, Jusuf Kalla in Nusa Dua, Bali on Tuesday (April 10, 2018). The two-day forum was the first held between Indonesia and 47 African countries.
Organized by the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the IAF was also supported by Ministry of Trade. The event was attended by 575 delegates from 47 African and the African Union , consisted of policymakers, state-owned enterprises -BUMN, and the private sectors.
The Indonesia-Africa Forum is a platform for governments and businesspeople of Indonesia and African countries to explore and enhance economic and trade cooperation. Besides promoting investment and technical cooperation, the IAF is in line with the efforts of the Ministry of Trade in applying diversification of export products to non-traditional markets, such as African countries.
Based on the records of the Ministry of Trade, the total trade between Indonesia and Africa in 2017 reached $8.85 billion dollars. This value increased by 15.49 percent compared to that of the previous year. The products exported to Africa include palm oil, textiles and textile products, paper, soap, and coffee.
On the first day of the Indonesia-Africa Forum, 10 economic cooperation agreements were signed with a trade value reaching over $586 million dollars. In addition, business plans were announced by 11 companies in Africa with potential trade worth about $1, 3 billion dollars.
Until the second day, Indonesia-Africa Forum -IAF managed to increase the value of trade transactions about $500 million dollars. The total potential trade agreement for the two-day event amounts to $2.3 billion dollars.
Seeing the potential cooperation that can be developed between Indonesia and countries in Africa, it is natural that this event is expected to be held regularly. The Indonesia-Africa Forum is an effective place to explore the African market which is now a new promising one for Indonesian trade. However above all, there needs synergic cooperation among the stakeholders in boosting Indonesian trade in the African market.
April
People of Syria, still suffer from the prolonged war in the country. The hope that bombings in some parts of the country, with the provision of a ceasefire, has not yet materialized.
There was another bomb attack on Tiyas, one of Syria's air bases, said to be used by Russia, an ally of the Syrian government. The Syrian government said the bomb attack, dropped by a jet fighter, was done by the United States. Another ally, Iran, also declared the attack was carried out by the United States. But Washington denied the allegations.
In a statement, the Iranian government said that the US attack was based on unfit reasons. Last week rumors circulated that the Syrian government has launched attacks using chemical substances.
As reported by Iran's official news agency IRNA, Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi said the United States and Western countries made allegations of chemical gas strikes, the reason for military action against Damascus. Bahram Qasemi confirmed that the allegations were untrue. Iran is a supporter of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad in a war against US-backed insurgents and their allies.
Countries supporting opponents of Bashar Al Assad government condemned the use of chemical weapons in Douma, the base city of the opposition. From Berlin, German government spokesman Steffen Seibert stated, his government condemned the use of toxic gases. Germany insists that the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is responsible for the attack.
The issue of chemical attack followed by air strikes on Syrian territory proves that the turmoil in Syria is still far from being resolved. Hostilities in the country have involved several other foreign parties and become entangled. The result is a prolonged war which has killed many civilians. In the end, it is the Syrian people that have to bear the consequences.
April
Today's young people seem to have very little interest to cultivate the field of agriculture, especially in planting rice. They seem to forget that rice is the staple food of Indonesian people in which geographical area and large food consumption would require thousands of young people who want to cultivate agriculture. The Desema Gema Institution has been established to provide excellent community resources in Agriculture and want to reduce people's dependency on chemical fertilizers. Trained youths can make their own fertilizers based on their local potential. They are prepared to be a generation of farmers now and then. Farming training for the youths is important to create a reproduction of agricultural human resources, which until now is still dominated by the senior, so the existence of the youths is rejuvenation of agricultural human resources.
The government of Indonesia has realized national food sovereignty and security. Thus, the matter of agriculture is the responsibility not only the Ministry of Agriculture, but also other related ministries such as Ministry of Sports and Youth, Ministry of Village, Development of Disadvantaged Area, and Transmigration, and Ministry of Manpower.
The organic program of young farmers based on local wisdom and established by the Ministry of Youth and Sports has produced positive results. On Saturday 7 April, there was first organic rice harvest in Kaligerman village, Karanggeneng sub-district, Lamongan regency, East Java. The rice produced is completely organic because the process of planting did not use any chemical fertilizers or insecticides at all.
The organic rice was successfully developed by a young farmer, Husni Mubarok in Lamongan, East Java, who has received special training of organic farming from Gema Desantara institution. He tried to use organic fertilizer in the form of Microbe 5 whose all ingredients are from nature, such as rice, soil of bamboo, brown sugar, banana stems, cow compost and others. Besides being good at health, another of the organic fertilizer use is being cheaper than the chemical fertilizers. Once the making of Microbe 5, it can be used up to four growing seasons. Economically, this is more profitable.
The government of Lamongan regency does support this program that can attract young people to cultivate farming in agriculture. The result was already proven during the first harvest of organic rice. This is stated by Secretary of Youth and Sports of Lamongan regency, Bambang Didik Suparto. The program of young farmers at Youth and Sports Ministry was held in 10 provinces throughout Indonesia, and the number of the participants reaches 1.000 young people.
Indonesia will face demographic bonus. Youth potential must be well managed. Otherwise, demographic bonus will be terrible for Indonesia. Organic program of young farmers is part of the farmer regeneration who can continue to serve the profession of being farmers. This program can be one of the most effective ways to make the country prosperous.
April
April 9 has always becomes an important day for the Indonesian Air Force -TNI AU. That is the day when the first President Soekarno in 1946 declared the establishment of the Air Force. The date is also celebrated as National Aviation Day.
The establishment of the Air Force cannot be separated from the establishment of the People's Security Service -BKR on August 23rd, 1945. Later, on October 5, 1945, BKR changed into the People's Security Army -TKR. The then air force was named TKR Flight Bureau under Air Commodore, Soerjadi Soerjadarma as the first Air Force Chief of Staff.
On January 23, 1946, TKR was upgraded again to the Army of the Republic of Indonesia -TRI, as a continuation of the development of the Air Force. So on April 9, 1946, TRI Bureau of Flight was removed, and it was then replaced with the name of the Air Force of the Republic of Indonesia. Since then, April 9 has been celebrated as the birthday of the Indonesian Air Force -TNI AU.
In addition to the short birth process of TNI AU about seven months since the independence of Indonesia, the main equipment of the weaponry system Alutsista) owned by the Air Force at that time was only used aircraft obtained from the loot of Japanese soldiers, such as Chureng, Nishikoreng, Guntei and Hayabusha. The number of aviators and technicians was very limited.
With the limited defense equipment owned at that time, the Air Force was able to inscribe gold ink in the history of Indonesian struggle. For the first time, a plane with a Red-and-White identity was flown by Air Commodore, Agustinus Adisutjipto on October 27, 1945.
The Air Force is now 72 years old. Although the condition of the main equipment of the weaponry system -Alutsista of the Air Force has not been in accordance with the need to support its operations, this does not de-motivate the spirit to guard and maintain the integrity of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia in accordance with the motto “Swa Bhuwana Paksa”or "The Wing of My Homeland". May the Indonesian Air Force always be the protector of the entire territory of Indonesian sovereignty and can elevate the dignity of the nation and build a glorious Indonesia in the air. Long live the Air Force!
April
April 9 has always become an important day for the Indonesian Air Force -TNI AU. That is the day when the first President Soekarno in 1946 declared the establishment of the Air Force. The date is also celebrated as National Aviation Day. The establishment of the Air Force cannot be separated from the establishment of the People's Security Service -BKR on August 23rd, 1945. Later, on October 5, 1945, BKR changed into the People's Security Army -TKR. The then air force was named TKR Flight Bureau under Air Commodore, Soerjadi Soerjadarma as the first Air Force Chief of Staff. On January 23, 1946, TKR was upgraded again to the Army of the Republic of Indonesia -TRI, as a continuation of the development of the Air Force. So on April 9, 1946, TRI Bureau of Flight was removed, and it was then replaced with the name of the Air Force of the Republic of Indonesia. Since then, April 9 has been celebrated as the birthday of the Indonesian Air Force -TNI AU. In addition to the short birth process of TNI AU about seven months since the independence of Indonesia, the main equipment of the weaponry system Alutsista) owned by the Air Force at that time was only used aircraft obtained from the loot of Japanese soldiers, such as Chureng, Nishikoreng, Guntei and Hayabusha. The number of aviators and technicians was very limited. With the limited defense equipment owned at that time, the Air Force was able to inscribe gold ink in the history of Indonesian struggle. For the first time, a plane with a Red-and-White identity was flown by Air Commodore, Agustinus Adisutjipto on October 27, 1945. The Air Force is now 72 years old. Although the condition of the main equipment of the weaponry system -Alutsista of the Air Force has not been in accordance with the need to support its operations, this does not de-motivate the spirit to guard and maintain the integrity of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia in accordance with the motto “Swa Bhuwana Paksa” or "The Wing of My Homeland". May the Indonesian Air Force always be the protector of the entire territory of Indonesian sovereignty and can elevate the dignity of the nation and build a glorious Indonesia in the air. Long live the Air Force!
April
Bangladesh plans to move around 100,000 Rohingyas to a remote island starting on June 2018. The plan was presented by the Bangladeshi Secretary of Disaster Management to the UN in Dacca on Wednesday (April 4, 2018). It is an effort of Bangladesh to relocate the Rohingyas who are currently crowding the Cox Bazaar area. The place has become a temporary shelter for refugees who fled from Myanmar, after the conflict in 2017.Bangladesh doubts Myanmar's promise that it will take back the Rohingya ethnic, as the country only verifies about 300 of the thousands of refugees’ files. Myanmar argues that in the files, there are 3 people related to terrorism.With the placement, Bangladesh has to accommodate 700 thousand refugees around the border. The relocation plan is considered to have not solved the problem. Currently, the Rohingyas are living in a very unfit environment in refugee camps. Meanwhile, the Bangladeshi Navy have planned to build around 1.400 shelters ready to be lived in by the end of May.The relocation itself is carried out on a voluntary basis. In Cox Bazaar, their life is difficult because of disease prone, especially facing the rainy season next June. But their placement on the island is also not without problems. The place to be inhabited is known to be prone to tropical cyclone disaster.Earlier, in February, Myanmar agreed to take back 6,000 Rakhine refugees, in the no-man's area of Tombru. Bangladesh argues that those in the region have not been considered refugees and Myanmar agrees to repatriate them. But it remains agreement; there is no guarantee of security, and the Rohingyas are still afraid of returning.The Rohingya ethnic shouldn’t be displaced and live for long in such an uninhabitable place like now. It is also not fitting to let their fate in an uncertain situation.Indonesia has been very concerned about their fate and has provided humanitarian assistance. President Joko Widodo also had a direct view of their condition when making a visit to Bangladesh some time ago. Now, all that needs to be done is to keep the refugee repatriation process going on. Myanmar should also be willing to open up and provide security for the returning Rohingya ethnic, as well as giving them the rights as citizens.
April
The House of Representatives -DPR has officially appointed Perry Warjiyo as Governor of Bank Indonesia –BI for the period 2018 - 2023 in a plenary session taking place last Tuesday (3rd of April). Perry Warjiyo's appointment process was quite smooth, because after undergoing a fit and proper test by Commission XI at the DPR, 10 factions were actively approving the single candidate proposed by President Joko Widodo. This means that all factions in the House were fully confident of Perry Warjiyo's capacity to become the new governor of Bank Indonesia for the next 5 years.
Indeed, Perry Warjiyo, who was a farmer and born 59 years ago in Sukoharjo, Central Java, will only serve his governorship of Bank Indonesia on next May 23rd, 2018, after the current position of Governor of Bank Indonesia, Agus Martowardoyo officially ends. However, a lot of homework and expectations are waiting for the man who has started his career at Bank Indonesia since 1984. Moreover, the performance of Bank Indonesia over the last 5 years under the leadership of Agus Martowardoyo is considered successful enough to maintain the national economic stability of the global economic turmoil. Perry Warjiyo will continue Bank Indonesia’s leadership which over the last five years has received a good "label" both domestically and globally. Even last year, Governor Agus Martowardoyo was awarded as the best central bank governor in Asia Pacific based on an international institution.
Thus, Warjiyo must be able to prove that President Joko Widodo's choice of him is not wrong. Perry must prove the trust of the DPR and must be able to prove that he can work better than the performance of the previous governor of BI. Certainly, we do hope that for a few decades of experience as an internal man of Bank Indonesia, and having held the position of one of IMF International Monetary Fund Executive Directors, Perry Warjiyo will be able to answer the expectations of many stakeholders. Maintaining the monetary conditions in the country becomes one of the heavy tasks faced by Perry. Macro-economic stability, inflation control and rupiah exchange rate will be the wishes of all stakeholders to be maintained. At the same time, another severe task is how Bank Indonesia can support policies that encourage Indonesian economic growth.
Maintaining the influence of the global economic turmoil is also a serious challenge to be faced by Perry Warjiyo when later he officially serves as governor of Bank Indonesia. Trade war that has occurred between the United States and China more recently may bring about impact on the domestic and regional economy. Perhaps, the closest challenges to be faced Perry Warjiyo as the new chief of Bank Indonesia are the simultaneous elections and the stages ahead of the legislative and presidential elections. In these political years -2018 and 2019, the stability of the rupiah, the stability of the economy and the enormous amount of money in circulation must be maintained in order not to influence the implementation of the democratic festivity. May the great hope of the new governor of Bank Indonesia be realized for monetary stability and positive economic growth! Congratulations to Mr. Perry Warjiyo! (danang prabowo)
April
South Africa is in mourning. Monday April 2, 2018, Winnie Mandela, the country’s human rights advocate, passed away. Though her admirers already knew that she had long been ill, her departure at the age of 81, still made South African people sad. Mandela family spokesman, Victor Diamini, Monday afternoon local time reported that Winnie Mandela had died at the age of 81 years. At the last moment of her life the mother of two were surrounded by her family, who sent her to God in peace. Without being told to, South African people including political figures and officials flooded the residence of the late Winni, in the town of Soweto, once a base of her struggle with her husband, Nelson Mandela.
For South Africa, in particular, Winnie Mandela ne Madikiezela who was born in 1936, is a symbol of the struggle against tyranny. In addition, the wife of the late Nelson Mandela, is a woman who was very loyal and committed to her husband’s fight against injustice in South Africa. When her husband was in jail for about 3 decades, Winnie kept the family survived while continuing the struggle. Together with her husband, she fought against the apartheid regime at the time. When Nelson Mandela was in prison, Winnie continued the spirit of resistance against the pro-apartheid South African regime. Not only her husband Nelson who was imprisoned by the ruling government. Winnie was also put behind bars and had to struggle hard against intimidation.
The outstanding woman was destined to live the life of her youth as a fighter. Since adolescent Winnie had been trained as a social worker and cared about the environment and the suffering of others.
In a televised statement, South African President Cyrril Ramaphosa praised the late Winnie Mandela and called her the voice of the oppressed. In times of oppression and exploitation, Nelson Mandela's wife was a champion in the struggle for justice and equality.
Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Bishop Desmond Tutu declared Winnie Mandela a true symbol of the struggle against apartheid.
Winnie Mandela's journey of life, struggle and tenacity inspired activists and movements against tyranny and injustice.
April
The Constitutional Court held its chief election on Monday April 02. The election was to replace Arief Hidayat who terminates his term of office of the Constitutional Court during the period 2015-2018. The Constitutional Court is the frontline of law enforcement in the field of law. Its task is to overcome problems related to legislation and mediate disputes on General Election and Election of Regional Head -Pilkada. The presence of the Constitutional Court which was formed after the fall of the new order has given new horizons in the matter of law and constitution in Indonesia. The Chief of the Constitutional Court is an important position to oversee the Constitution in Indonesia, which is free from the influence of the Executive and Legislative.
The election of the Constitutional Court chief for the period 2018-2020 was conducted by voting at the plenary session of the judges. All judges of the Constitutional Court: Anwar Usman, Maria Farida, Wahiduddin Adams, Aswanto, I Gede Pasek Palguna, Suhartoyo, Manahan Sitompul, and Saldi Isra have the rights to vote and to be voted, except Arief Hidayat who only could cast his vote. Because, he has been elected twice namely in 2015 and 2017.
In regard to the election of the new chief of the Constitutional Court, former chief of the Constitutional Court, Mahfud MD hopes there is a new breakthrough in the election process. This was viewed necessary to restore the authority of the Constitutional Court which had been dropped when its former chief involved in an unlawful case. The presence of the Constitutional Court for the next 3 years is very decisive, as it will certainly play a major role in handling possible disputes of election of regional heads in 2018, legislative election and president elections in 2019. Therefore, this major court needs high concentration, neutrality and impartiality from organizations, institutions, political parties to executive and legislative bodies. The Constitutional Court must be independent, fair and honest in issuing its verdict. At the plenary session on Monday, April 2nd at 3 P.M. by voting, the nine judges of the Constitution elected Anwar Usman as new chief of the Constitutional Court from 2018-2020.
April
Indonesian Supreme Court (MA) deserves being appreciated since it has issued a ban on fugitives listed on the People Search List (DPO) to file a pre-trial lawsuit. Supreme Court’s Circular No. 1/2018 dated on March 23, 2018 closes the fugitives’ opportunity to file a pre-trial. The letter also confirms that if a pre-trial petition is still filed by the lawyer of fugitive suspect, the judge does not accept it. The suspect also cannot file a legal action regarding the verdict. So far, people have often got very angry because many fugitives, especially corruptors escape abroad. They file a pre-trial through their lawyer or family. As a result, some of them win the pre-trial. One of them is Sudjiono Timan convicted of corruption case of Bank Indonesia Liquidity Assistance (BLBI) that made the state money worth Rp 1.2 trillion lose. He fled a few days before being convicted by the Supreme Court (MA) on a higher court with the sentence 15 years in prison. In his escape, Timan's wife filed a Judicial Review (PK) and the Supreme Court accepted the judicial review on July 31, 2013, and Timan was free without attending the court. The judicial review (PK) is a legal effort which can be taken by a convicted person in a legal case against a court’s verdict that has permanent legal force within the judicial system in Indonesia. The court ruling which has the permanent legal force is the verdict of the District Court that has not been filed an appeal, the verdict of the Supreme Court which is not appealed at higher court or the higher verdict of the Supreme Court. The circular of the Supreme Court No. 1/2018 that bans the fugitives to file a pre-trial lawsuit should be appreciated by all circles. This is an appropriate step for law enforcers to legally process the fugitives without being in absentia. A fugitive in exile could file a pretrial and then he or she wins. Of course, this cannot be tolerated because it will make the concerned do anything. If this is allowed to occur, there will be inequality and even injustice because such persons are still given access to leeway.
