VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOINews, Jakarta: Spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry of Vietnam Pham Thu Hang has said that like many other countries, Vietnam follows with keen interest the expanding membership of BRICS – a group of emerging economies that includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.

As reported by Vovworld.vn (10/5) at a press conference in Hanoi, Ms. Hang responded to a question about the possibility of Vietnam joining BRICS this year.

 According to Pham Thu Hang, Vietnam is a responsible and active member of the international community that follows a foreign policy of multilateralism, diversification, independence, and self-reliance. 

She  has further said Vietnam is always ready to participate in and contribute actively to global and regional multilateral mechanisms, organizations, and forums.VOI/Vovworld.vn

VOInews, Jakarta: Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas ensured that food for elderly Hajj pilgrims will be tailored to their needs in order to meet their protein and nutritional requirements.

"Last year, the kitchen's performance was good. I also see that there is a special menu for the elderly pilgrims. I hope this kitchen can provide the best service for pilgrims," Minister Qoumas stated here on Friday.

As reported by Antara, The minister made this statement after reviewing a catering company that will serve Hajj pilgrims in Medina.

At least 20 percent of the food cooked in the kitchen is for elderly pilgrims. The menu is the same, with the only difference being that the food is cooked to be more smoother and softer in terms of the texture and consistency.

In the kitchen, Minister Qoumas was welcomed by the owner of the catering company. An executive chef from Cipanas, Bogor, named Wan Abdurahman, was also present in the kitchen.

Qoumas also spoke with several chefs and assistants in the kitchen, and most of them were from Indonesia.

He sought information from them about several things, such as the availability of vegetables and spices from Indonesia, for instance, tempeh and tofu. The minister stated that Indonesians love tempeh and tofu to which Abdurahman agreed.

Tempeh and tofu are not only preferred by Hajj pilgrims but also feature in the favorite menus of Umrah pilgrims. In a day, the kitchen can cook up to hundreds of tempeh and tofu blocks that were also produced by Indonesians.

Qoumas also inquired about the readiness of food storage and the availability of ingredients.

Abdurahman explained that the kitchen has six large food storages where beef, chicken, fish, and egg are stored.

Indonesian spices, such as lemongrass, galangal, pandan leaves, orange leaves, coconut milk, and peanuts, were also available.VOI/Antara

VOnews, Jakarta: The celebration of the 217th Anniversary of the Jakarta Archdiocese serves as proof of the Indonesian nation's success in nurturing and preserving unity and integrity, Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Syaiful Rahmat Dasuki stated.

Quoting from Antara, Dasuki affirmed that the participation of thousands of interfaith and intercultural people in a six-kilometer walk around the Jakarta Cathedral reflects the well-fostered unity and integrity in the country.

"In this activity, people from different ethnicities are wearing traditional attires, reaffirming the Indonesian nation's passion for interfaith tolerance, unity, and integrity," he remarked at the Jakarta Cathedral on Saturday.

Dasuki expressed hope that all religious organizations and groups would emulate the activity to ensure the resilience of people's unity and love for the motherland in the midst of this era of rapid changes.

"The Ministry of Religious Affairs surely appreciates this event," he noted.

On the same occasion, spokesperson of the Jakarta Archdiocese Susyana Suwadie remarked that the commemorative walk drew participation from over three thousand people.

She said the participants comprised not only representatives of parishes in Jakarta but also members of interfaith organizations and communities in the city and surrounding regions.

"The number of participants (this year) is higher than that of previous years," she pointed out.

Suwadie then noted that during the celebration, the participants expressed their creativity by performing traditional art performances, such as Ondel-ondel Betawi and Reog Ponorogo.Furthermore, the spokesperson emphasized the need for interfaith communities in Indonesia to continue to build harmony, promote peace, and spread messages of love. 

She then noted that such positive values have been continuously endorsed by the Jakarta Archdiocese since its establishment on May 8, 1807. VOI/Antara

VOINews, Jakarta: The Indonesian Army (AD) plans to station 4,463 personnel to secure the 10th World Water Forum (WWF) in Bali.

As reported by Antara, Head of the TNI AD Information Service, Brigadier General Kristomei Sianturi, stated that the personnel deployed will comprise a combination from various units, including the IX/Udayana Military Command (Kodam).

"The TNI AD personnel involved in WWF security are 4,463 personnel, and 2,530 of them are from Kodam IX/Udayana," he told ANTARA on Saturday.

According to Sianturi, the Indonesian Navy personnel will also cooperate with the Indonesian Air Force and Navy units to secure the high-level conference in Bali.

He stated that the Indonesian Army troops would be located at several crucial guard points and equipped with complete main weapons systems.

Apart from securing the activities, Sianturi ensured that all TNI AD troops would behave humanely and serve the community and the World Water Forum participants during the event.

Earlier, the TNI Headquarters would also deploy 12 thousand special personnel to secure the forum.

"They will be carrying out security and health services during the forum," Head of the TNI Information Center, Major General Nugraha Gumilar, stated on April 29.

The 10th WWF would take place on May 18-25, 2024. Security measures will start a week earlier as a form of monitoring.

Apart from land security, Gumilar revealed that his side would also secure air and sea areas around the Bali seas.

"We are deploying KRI (warships) in the Bali Strait and Lombok Strait," he remarked.

The TNI will also provide several aircraft to conduct evacuations if a natural disaster were to occur during the event.

"We prepared aircraft for evacuation if a natural disaster occurs, such as the Mount Agung eruption," he added.

Health workers are also provided by the TNI to anticipate casualties from natural disasters that occur in Bali.

The 10th WWF is an international forum with the involvement of several stakeholders in the water resources sector, ranging from the government, parliament, political leaders, multilateral institutions, politicians, academics, civil society, to business actors.

The forum this year carries the theme of "Water for Shared Prosperity" and will discuss several sub-themes, namely water security and prosperity; water for humans and nature; disaster risk reduction and management; water governance, cooperation, and diplomacy; sustainable water financing; and knowledge and innovation. VOI/Antara