Indonesia, Fiji strengthen cooperation in social welfare

Indonesia and Republic of Fiji have agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the area of social welfare through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by Indonesian Social Affairs Minister Salim Segaf Al Jufri, and Fijian Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation Minister Jiko Luveni.

“This is a good opportunity for us to improve social-welfare cooperation,” Minister Al Jufri said here on Thursday (08/11).

He stated that the cooperation was aimed at strengthening the policies and programs on family allowances, poverty alleviation, adoption and child care.

The ministry prepared the one-year MoU when the Fijian Social Affairs Ministry visited the Indonesian Social Affairs Ministry.

“There are a number of agreements between Indonesia and the Republic of Fiji in the MoU, particularly on empowering poor communities,” he said.

The ministry was mandated by Law No.11/2009 on Social Welfare to tackle social issues and provide services for the needy, such as poor and remote indigenous communities, persons with disabilities, as well as displaced children and senior citizens.

Moreover, the enforcement of Law No13/2011 on Poverty Alleviation emphasizes that the social-affairs ministry exists to alleviate poverty.

Al Jufri expressed hope that the cooperation would improve the quality of and professionalism in social services for the public in the two countries, while improving cooperation in the near future.

The meeting was also attended by the Social Affairs Minister`s General Secretary Toto Utomo Budi Santosa, special staff experts and Fijian delegations.

Source: ANTARA News

Indonesia, German firm sign agreement on tanks sale

Indonesia and German defence company Rheinmetall on Thursday signed an agreement that paves the way for the purchase by the Asian nation of 150 tanks from Germany.

“The memorandum of understanding (MoU) is related to transfer of technology and maintenance,” said Major General Ediwan Prabowo, head of the defence facilities agency at the Defence Ministry.

Prabowo said he hoped the contract for the purchase of 100 Leopard main battle tanks and 50 lighter Marder tanks would be signed this month.

Prabowo told that he hoped to sign both the MoU and the contract on Saturday, after a defence exhibition in Jakarta in which Rheinmetall was among the companies from 40 countries participating.

He said there were still some minor sticking points, mostly technical, and that there were no pending political or legal issues.

He also said Indonesia wanted the first batch to be delivered this year, but Rheinmetall had not given assurances about the timing.

Indonesia, the world’s fourth most populous country, has embarked on an ambitious drive to modernise its under-equipped military and build a defence industry.

Also on Thursday, the Defence Ministry signed a similar agreement with Brazilian defence company Avibras Industria Aeroespacial for the purchase of multiple launch rockets.

Source: Deutsche Presse Agentur

Govt to focus childhood education program in Papua

“Not only to teach children how to read and write, but also instill them with national ideology”

The Education Ministry and the Indonesian army signed a memorandum of understanding on Friday an early childhood education program to remote areas.

Education Minister Muhammad Nuh said the collaboration was crucial in erasing illiteracy among children in the country’s remote areas.

“The purpose of sending the army is not only to teach children how to read and write, but also instill them with national ideology,” he said, adding that this was important in the fight against rising radicalism in the country.

The program will be conducted from June 1 to 21 in 61 districts and towns, 71 subdistricts and 112 villages across the country. The program will be carried out by 61 different task groups, each consisting of 150 army personnel.

Army Chief of Staff Gen. George Toisutta said the army would focus their activities in the border areas of Kalimantan, East Nusa Tenggara and Papua provinces.

“Not only are border areas dangerous, but they do not have enough human resources to educate their children,” he said.

Source: Jakarta Globe