Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Three ambassadors, from the United States, United Kingdom, and France, to Indonesia have asked the Indonesian authorities to join the US-led coalition to pressurize Basyar Al-Assad`s regime, which had been accused of using chemical weapons in some attack in Douma, Syria, on April 7. "We invite Indonesia and the authorities to go further. We would like them to join us in holding Assad`s regime accountable for the misuse and the abuse of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and the use of chemical weapons against Syrian nationals," UK`s Ambassador to Indonesia, Moazzam Malik, noted here on Thursday. The United States, United Kingdom, and French ambassadors to Indonesia, namely Joseph Donovan, Moazzam Malik, and Jean-Charles Berthonnet, respectively, met Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi in her office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jakarta, on Thursday. Malik remarked that the three countries were looking forward to call on Indonesia to urge all member states … [Read more...] about Ambassadors ask Indonesia to join US-led coalition to pressurize Assad`s regime
Indonesia
Indonesia prepares three main events for IMF-WB annual meetings
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Indonesia Government, as the host of the upcoming IMF-World Bank (WB) Annual Meetings this year, has planned three main events on the sidelines of the meetings. The Government of Indonesia is ready to successfully implement the IMF-WB Annual Meetings, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, who is concurrently the chairman of the national organizing committee for the IMF-WB Annual Meetings, noted in a statement on Thursday. The first event to be arranged by Indonesia is an informal meeting of the 10 Leaders of ASEAN member countries, the Executive Director of IMF, and the President of the World Bank. The objective of the informal meeting is to show the commitment of the ASEAN leaders to support IMF and World Bank in dealing with development challenges. The second event is to hold festivals, exhibitions, and cultural and art performances to showcase and promote Indonesia`s culinary, traditional dances, arts and culture, … [Read more...] about Indonesia prepares three main events for IMF-WB annual meetings
Counseling, not crocodiles: Indonesia anti-drugs chief flags new strategy
JAKARTA - Indonesia’s new anti-narcotics chief Heru Winarko called for an expansion of rehabilitation centers across the country on Wednesday, flagging a new approach in contrast to the blood-soaked war on drugs underway in its neighbor, the Philippines. More users, addicts and even minor dealers would be diverted into centers run by medical professionals and counselors rather than heading straight into an over-crowded prison system, Winarko told Reuters in an interview. "With the rehabilitation approach, we cut the demand,” he said. "If there is no demand, the supply will not come or reduce." Winarko took over as head of Indonesia’s anti-narcotics agency in March, replacing Budi Waseso, a former top police officer who advocated surrounding prisons with moats filled with crocodiles and piranhas to stop drug convicts escaping. Rather than wildlife, Winarko said he planned to set up rehabilitation facilities near prisons. "It is better if there is a rehabilitation … [Read more...] about Counseling, not crocodiles: Indonesia anti-drugs chief flags new strategy
Indonesia court rules against seizure of luxury yacht
By NINIEK KARMINI Published April 17, 2018 Markets Associated Press Facebook Twitter Comments Print article The Indonesian police's seizure of a luxury yacht at the request of the FBI was unlawful, a Jakarta court said Tuesday, in a blow to the U.S. probe into an alleged multibillion-dollar theft of funds from a Malaysian state investment company. Continue Reading Below At the South Jakarta District Court, Judge Ratmoho, who uses one name, ordered the return of the yacht to its owner. Indonesian police seized the $250 million Equanimity off Bali on Feb. 28 in cooperation with the FBI but were prevented from handing it over to the U.S. after a legal challenge from the yacht's Cayman Islands-registered holding company. The Equanimity is among assets the U.S. Department of Justice alleges were bought by Malaysian national Jho Low using money stolen from 1MDB, the Malaysian fund, and laundered through Singapore, Switzerland, Luxembourg and the U.S. … [Read more...] about Indonesia court rules against seizure of luxury yacht
Strong growth in VN-Indonesia ties
Foreign Minister Phạm Bình Minh and his Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi on Tuesday co-chaired the third meeting of the Việt Nam – Indonesia Bilateral Co-operation Committee in Hà Nội.— VNA/VNS Photo Nguyễn Khang HÀ NỘI — Foreign Minister Phạm Bình Minh and his Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi on Tuesday co-chaired the third meeting of the Việt Nam – Indonesia Bilateral Co-operation Committee in Hà Nội. Reviewing the action programme for 2014-2018, they lauded the two countries’ ministries, agencies and localities for the effective and practical development of the bilateral strategic partnership, with growing political ties with high trust. The two sides maintained regular high-level visits and exchanges, particularly the visit by Party General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng to Indonesia last August that opened up a new chapter in bilateral ties. … [Read more...] about Strong growth in VN-Indonesia ties