VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi (Photo : Archive VOI) - 

VOInews, Jakarta : Minister of Indonesian Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi condemnedIsrael’s attacks on Iraniandiplomatic buildings and facilities inDamascus, Syria. In her written statement on Tuesday (2/4), ForeignMinister Retno called the action a violation of international law whichclearly stipulates that diplomatic facilities must be protected.

TheIndonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the attack was one ofmany Israeli actions that increased the escalation of the conflict andcould erase the prospects for peace in the Middle East region. A topcommander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and sixother officers were killed in a missile attack targeting the IranianConsulate in the Syrian capital, Damascus, on Monday (1/4).

However,Israel Military Radio said the Iranian Embassy was not the target of theattack, but rather a nearby building that served as the IRGC’s militaryheadquarters in Damascus was bombed, without admitting that theattack was carried out by Tel Aviv//ANTARA-VOI

Indonesian Tourism and creative economy, Sandiaga Uno met after the extended weekly press briefing in Jakarta (Photo : NK-VOI) -

VOInews, Jakarta : The Indonesian Tourism and creative economy Ministry encourages short term visas acceleration in the Riau Islands. Foreign tourists visit  in the Riau Islands will be supported by short term visas under 7 days  in order to achieve the target in 2024. This  was  conveyed by the Indonesian Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga  Salahudin Uno at the Extended Weekly Press Briefing event in Jakarta on Monday (1/4).

"For foreign tourists, the government still refers to three main gates, namely Bali, Jakarta and the Riau Islands which reach almost 90 percent . For Jakarta and Bali, this is still very strong, still very strong at 15 to 20 thousand per day. However, in Riau Islands, there is still one policy that the government cannot implement, namely short term visas under 7 days" said Minister Uno. "

"This is what happened yesterday, when I was in Batam, I wanted it because the target of 3 million tourists was impossible to achieve. Last year the government only had 1.7 million because it was still waiting for the policy which was actually proposed by Industry a long time ago. The Ministry of Tourism will encourage acceleration and it will facilitate with the Ministry of Finance  for its release. It is because the Ministry of Law and Human Rights has agreed on 10 dollars for short term visas under 7 days specifically for the destination area of the Riau Islands", Minister Uno explain. 

Furthermore, Minister Sandiaga  Uno  explained  that during the Eid al-Fitr holiday in Indonesia, the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy is optimistic that it will be able to move the Indonesian economy by 400 to 450 trillion rupiah or 25 to 28 billion US dollar from the tourism and creative economy sectors//(VOI-NK-Mar-AF) 

Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Penny Williams and the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General for Asia Pacific and Africa Affairs, Abdul Kadir Jailani took a picture with the Mural painters in front of their work at Taman Ismail Marzuki, Jakarta (Photo : Australian Embassy) - 

VOInews, Jakarta : Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Penny Williams and Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General for Asia Pacific and Africa Affairs, Abdul Kadir Jailani, officially launched the 75th anniversary of Australia-Indonesia diplomatic relations campaign of activities on 28 March at Taman Ismail Marzuki. 

During the launch, Ambassador Williams and Director General Jailani unveiled the 75th anniversary logo and officially opened a public mural collaboration between Australian and Indonesian artists.

“This year marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Australia and Indonesia,” said Ambassador Williams. “I am delighted to launch the first of many activities which will showcase the close partnership between our two countries.”

“The anniversary is not only a milestone in our diplomatic relationship - it is a time for all Australians and Indonesians to come together to reflect on our shared connections and celebrate our partnership,” said Ambassador Williams.

The 75th anniversary logo was selected through a public competition run by the Australian Embassy in partnership with the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The winner, Alif Pandu Sofyana, explained that his design featured iconic national symbols from both countries, Indonesia’s Garuda and the Australian Kangaroo, and signified the close relationship between the two countries. 

The mural, entitled Together, is a collaboration between artists George Rose (Australia) and Tutu (Indonesia), celebrating the 75th Anniversary through contemporary art. The mural utilises augmented reality technology allowing the public to directly interact with the artwork.

The mural will be displayed at Taman Ismail Marzuki throughout 2024. A series of activities will be held as part of the celebration, including design, music and historical collaborations, and more//VOI

Fumio Kishida Prime Minister of Japan and President of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) delivers a speech during the party convention on Mar 17, 2024, in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo: Rodrigo Reyes Marin/Pool via REUTERS) - 

VOInews, Tokyo : Japan will work to strengthen its defence and diplomatic capabilities to maintain peace, Prime Minister Kishida Fumio said on Saturday (Mar 23), according to public broadcaster NHK, adding that military buildups around the country have been growing.

Japan is a close ally with the United States and has condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine, supporting Kyiv financially and joining international sanctions on Moscow.

"Military buildup, including nuclear and missile development, has been accelerating in areas surrounding Japan and attempts to unilaterally change the status quo by force are growing," Kishida told a graduation ceremony at the National Defence Academy in Yokosuka near Tokyo, according to NHK.

Japan faces "the most complex and challenging" security environment since World War Two, and the government will strengthen its defence and diplomatic capabilities to maintain peace and to prevent security emergencies, he added.

Kishida and US President Joe Biden are to hold a summit on Apr 10 in the United States, aimed at boosting the longstanding bilateral security alliance in the face of growing Chinese influence and as North Korea continues its military tests//CNA-VOI