Day: February 6, 2023

Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno has said that he is keen to see better public access integration and connectivity at Jakarta International Stadium (JIS).

He made the statement in response to queries about whether his ministry will intervene to address the access and connectivity issues raised by concert-goers who attended a special concert of Indonesian rock band Dewa 19 at the stadium on Saturday (February 4, 2023).

“I wish that JIS, with its outstanding capacity, can be managed in a more integrated way to facilitate concert-goers who want to visit the stadium or other concerts at other venues,” Uno said at “The Weekly Brief with Sandi Uno,” which was followed online from here on Monday.

He further said that he had been informed that the Dewa 19 special concert at the stadium, which was attended by 70 thousand people, was a huge success.

However, the fans’ enthusiasm gave way to outrage when they found themselves stuck at the stadium for hours after the concert ended due to poor public transport access and lack of connectivity.

“We had addressed similar issues at earlier music festivals, when we facilitated drop-off areas and pick-up points and cooperating with some organizers with direct involvement to the event,” Uno said.

While the ministry was not directly involved in the February 4 concert at JIS, it is ready to accommodate and answer public complaints related to the stadium facilities, as well as respond to requests for assistance from organizers, he said.

The minister affirmed that his ministry has already devised a standard procedure for safe and fun event organization, which includes crowd control arrangements, an early warning system, crowd flow, and drop-off and parking areas.

“We expect (concert organizers) can involve us more, as I and (Dewa 19 frontman) Ahmad Dhani are close friends. I was invited (for the February 4 concert), yet because of my duties in the 2023 ATF (ASEAN Tourism Forum), I could not attend the concert, and I was only able to observe it through social media posts,” Uno remarked.

Source: Antara News

Jakarta – The new Indonesian capital Nusantara could host the 79th Independence Day ceremony in 2024 provided its development progresses smoothly according to schedule, Nusantara Capital Authority head Bambang Susantono has said.

At a hearing meeting with Commission XI of the House of Representatives (DPR) here on Monday, the authority head called for support and prayers for the smooth development of the new capital.

“We ask for prayers and support for us to ensure that we can optimally organize all preparation programs this year and next year, according to Mr. President’s wishes, we will organize the Independence Day ceremony at the new capital on August 17, 2024,” Susantono said.

With 559 days to go before August 17, 2024, he affirmed that his side is continuing to optimize the work plans of the Nusantara Capital Authority to implement Law No. 3 of 2022 on the National Capital.

“Today, we have 559 days remaining before August 17, 2024. The day is approaching, and we have zero off days to implement mandates that you have passed as law,” he told the legislators.

Though the Nusantara Capital Authority has a budget body, the authority is yet to receive the Budget Implementation List (DIPA) from the Finance Ministry, he said.

The Finance Ministry has allocated a Rp650-billion (US$41.6 million) budget in 2023 and disbursed Rp250 billion (US$16 million) in the first disbursement phase, he added.

For 2023, the Nusantara Capital Authority has only two programs—the provision of management support and the development of strategic areas, the agency head noted.

The management support aims for optimum organization consolidation, credible and accountable financial conditions, and effective internal control, while the development of strategic areas is to build the new city’s economy, regulate funding and investment, and manage resources, Susantono expounded.

He also disclosed that the Nusantara Capital Authority has appointed seven deputies to ensure that the goals of strategic area development programs are fulfilled.

Source: Antara News

Jakarta – The main requirement for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to play a central role in the global arena is stable regional security, Governor of the National Resilience Institute (Lemhannas) Andi Widjajanto has said.

“There are two important issues of regional stability, namely the problem of the political crisis in Myanmar and the South China Sea. On the one hand, this challenge shows homework, so a breakthrough must be sought, and Indonesia, as the chair of ASEAN, has a central role,” he observed in a press release on “The Latest ASEAN in the Global Stage” discussion in Jakarta on Monday.

According to Widjajanto, as the leader of ASEAN, Indonesia could encourage the resolution of these two problems because there are many diplomatic channels in ASEAN that encourage cooperation rather than create conflict.

“The Myanmar issue, for example, will be based on five points of consensus, one of which is prioritizing inclusive dialogue with all parties to encourage a special envoy or special envoy,” he said.

According to director general for ASEAN cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sidharto R. Suryodipuro, the Myanmar political crisis is indeed an important topic because it concerns regional stability and the development of the regional community.

“Indonesia has conveyed its plan and the ministers agreed on the plan that Indonesia will carry out in the Myanmar issue, while regarding the South China Sea, it is necessary to carry out intensive negotiations with China to achieve progress in terms of regional security,” he informed.

ASEAN has agreed to support Indonesia’s efforts in carrying out a consensus on ending violence, distributing aid, approaching all parties, and having dialogue in an inclusive political process.

Head of the Department of Economics of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Fajar Hirawan agreed that the stability of Southeast Asia is important for advancing the growth and prosperity of the region.

“In everywhere, economic stability will be influenced by politics and security. I think stability in the region should be maintained, in this case, (in) Myanmar. When talking about the problems of ASEAN member countries, it means that everything must be seen. ASEAN was indeed founded as a forum to invite all to grow together, but if there is one who has stability issues, it will be a challenge in itself,” he said.

There are a number of sensitive issues in the economic field, while food security can be achieved by increasing cooperation, Sidharto said.

In the event of a crisis, ASEAN members can help each other in greater numbers.

“Apart from that, there are other sensitive issues such as energy, health, and financial transitions, where we already have an agreement on the digital economy framework and electric cars,” said Sidharto.

Specifically for electric cars, because the market is regional, Indonesia is pushing for the creation of a regional ecosystem that has similar rules so that all manufacturers have a regional outlook.

“In this field, we have competitiveness as one of the engines of growth,” Sidharto said.

Source: Antara News