FARUKH SHEHZAD

Jakarta, DEC 17: The government has said it will stick to its current mobility restrictions during the year-end holidays, despite having recently reported the country’s first known case of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus. 

Vice President Ma’ruf Amin said the government would continue to implement multi-tiered public activity restrictions (PPKM) in accordance with the pandemic situation in each region.

“We will ensure that PPKM is implemented in the regions according to their level [of risk]. [Although] these levels are adjustable, we will not ease the prevailing curbs until January,” said Ma’ruf on Friday.

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Courtesy thejakartapost

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ISLAMABAD, Nov 21: Ambassador of Indonesia to Pakistan, Adam Mulawarman Tugio on Sunday has said that Indonesia has set US$50 billion e-commerce trade target by 2025 to connect with the biggest sector of global trade.

There are vast opportunities in e-commerce trade between Pakistan and Indonesia, which will increase bilateral trade and investment opportunities on both sides, Ambassador of Indonesia to Pakistan, Adam Mulawarman Tugio said.

The Ambassador said that Pakistan and Indonesia are countries with large youth populations that can make their mark in the global e-commerce trade and create vast employment opportunities in both the countries.

He said that global retail e-commerce sales in 2020 stood at US$ 4.28 trillion, which is expected to reach US$ 5.4 trillion by 2022. He said that there is an era of Information Technology (IT) and online connectivity in the world and now the big global brands are connected to small and big markets and are continuing their business activities.

The Ambassador said that Pakistan and Indonesia can be linked with e-commerce trade to increase bilateral trade as well as connect both sides’ youth in connection of business and trade. With such connections, young people from both the countries and people can benefit from each other’s experiences and skills to promote economic and cultural integration.

He said that e-commerce integration in both the countries could also help in promoting tourism in both of countries and strengthen the ties between the people of both countries.

Tugio said that Pakistan and Indonesia are among the most beautiful countries in the world and with the promotion of tourism in both countries mutual economic activities would reach its peak. He said that the two countries have similarities in many areas, including religion, culture, architecture, landscape, and cuisine which must be familiar to the people of both countries.

Replying to the question, he said Indonesia had made investments in Palm oil in Karachi which would enhance economic cooperation between the two countries, adding that in the near future while taking interest in investing in Faisalabad, steps would be taken for this in the near future.

Responding to another question about Indonesia’s rapid economic growth and economic reforms, he said Indonesia was the first to work on Ease of Doing Business (EODB) and business facilitation, which encouraged foreign investors.

The Ambassador said a number of achievements had been achieved following the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business (EODB) targets and then there was the devolution of power in Indonesia for strengthening of the local body system, which led to a strong federation.

The Ambassador said that Pakistan and Indonesia had strong prospects for the proposed bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which would help strengthen economic and trade ties between the two countries. The Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) already existed in both the countries which opened up the possibility of increasing bilateral trade, he said.

The Ambassador said Indonesia had recently reduced trade tariffs for facilitating to Pakistan in 20 trade items in the bilateral PTA review. The Ambassador said Indonesia had a strong role to play, adding, progress was being made to enhance economic and trade integration between Pakistan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Discussing the cultural and educational ties between the two countries, he said 11 percent of scholarships were awarded to Pakistani students this year, which was 52 percent of developing countries. He said this year 60 Pakistani students went to Indonesian universities to study.

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JAKARTA, NOV 4: President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has proposed that Indonesian Army chief of staff Gen. Andika Perkasa should succeed Air Chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto as Indonesian Military (TNI) commander, as the latter enters retirement age on Nov. 8.

The nomination was confirmed in a presidential letter sent to the House of Representatives on Wednesday, quashing all speculation that a candidate from the Navy (TNI-AL) might take over the reins of the nation’s armed forces.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, House Speaker Puan Maharani confirmed that the Jokowi administration had submitted a letter seeking the House’s approval to make Andika the next military commander.

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Courtesy thejakartapost

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• Pakistani students are the biggest recipients of Indonesian scholarships: Adam Mulawarman Tugio  

• Panelists mentioned that Pakistan provides the ASEAN regional states the shortest route to global sea trade

RAWALPINDI, NOV 2: Young Scholar Discussion on the topic “Pakistan-Indonesia Bilateral Ties: Exploring Untapped Potentials” was jointly organized by Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad and The Embassy of Indonesia, Pakistan at Rawalpindi.

Adam Mulawarman Tugio, Ambassador of Indonesia to Pakistan in his Keynote address stated that this debate will open up new avenues for the students of Indonesia and Pakistan. 

The main aim of such discussions is to provide exposure to the students that will enhance their communication, analytical and critical skills.

Ambassador of Indonesia also stated that such initiatives alleviate bilateral relations between the two countries and boosts people to people contact. He further stated that Pakistani students are the biggest recipients of Indonesian scholarships.  

Ambassador of Indonesia appreciated the efforts of CGSS in organizing activities for the students for the enhancement of their soft and communication skills. 

Ambassador stated that Pakistan and Indonesia should collaborate more at Think Tank level. There are several prospects for collaboration at academic and institutional level.

Adam Tugio also stated that this event can be considered as an exercise where the youth can provide their input on how both the countries can further cement their bilateral relations.

Brig. Abid Hussain Bhutta (Retd), Member Board of Experts CGSS in his address stated that Pakistan and Indonesia have tremendous potential which have grown with the passage of time. 

Pakistan and Indonesia have enhanced their cooperation and have become strength of each other. He further stated that people to people contact is the foundation of strength of relations between two countries.

The discussion was based on three main themes which were

•             Pakistan and Indonesia: Ideas for Strengthening Bilateral Ties

•           Using Media as a Tool for Public Diplomacy: Case Study of Pakistan and Indonesia

•             Pakistan-ASEAN: Shared Future and Way Forward.

Students of Bachelors level from Indonesia and Pakistan participated and shared their analysis with the audience. During the discussion, young scholars mentioned that Pakistan and Indonesia’s bilateral relations are deeply rooted in mutual respect and support at regional and global level. 

Pakistan attaches great importance to its relations with Indonesia the foundation of which was laid by late President Sukarno and his contemporary leadership in Pakistan including Quaid-e-Azam. Late President Sukarno provided unprecedented support to Pakistan in the past. 

Discussing Pakistan-ASEAN Relations, panelists mentioned that Pakistan provides the ASEAN regional states the shortest route to global sea trade. Pakistan and ASEAN agreed to cover cooperation in many areas including trade; industry; investment; environment; science and technology; drugs and narcotics; tourism and human resources development.

Young scholars also discussed that bilateralism is the conduct of political, economic, or cultural relations between two sovereign states. It is in contrast to unilateralism or multilateralism, which is activity by a single state or jointly by multiple states, respectively. When states recognize one another as sovereign states and agree to diplomatic relations, they create a bilateral relationship.

Public diplomacy is no longer defined as intergovernmental diplomacy, but can become P2P or people to people because the implementers and targets of public diplomacy can become public itself. 

It was also discussed that ASEAN’s success as a regional organization and East Asia’s undisputed economic potential have long been recognized, with states from different parts of the world wishing to strengthen their engagement with ASEAN. Pakistan is no exception. In line with Pakistan’s “Vision East Asia” policy, Pakistan has worked tirelessly to forge a closer partnership with ASEAN.

The debate was moderated and supervised by Laraib Fatima Hassan, Communication & Coordination Executive, CGSS, and Mr. Boy Dharmawan, Minister Counsellor/Political Function, The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia, Islamabad. The event was attended by 80 participants.

Following young scholars from Pakistan and Indonesia participated:

a.            Fina Farhani

b.            Tata Auniyrahman

c.             AcyntyaPararsa

d.            Fuji Vikriansyah

e.            IhzaKaustar

f.             Naufal Laudza

g.            Zohra Asif, International Islamic University, Islamabad

h.            Aneesa Abid, Bahria University, Islamabad

i.          KainatSaif , Student of Law at  International Islamic University, Islamabad

j.             Ehsan Khan, Punjab University, Lahore

k.            Sumayya Khan, Bahria University, Islamabad

l.              Haleema Asad, Bahria University, Islamabad

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ISLAMABAD, OCT 16: Adam M. Tugio, Ambassador of Indonesia to Pakistan visited Eurasian Legal Framework Study Cell. During the visit, a meeting was held between Adam M. Tugio, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Pakistan, Mian Abdul Rauf, Former Advocate-General Islamabad, and Mr. Khalid Taimur, Executive Director, Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad.

The Eurasian Legal Framework Study Cell has been established at Mian Abdul Rauf Law Associates in collaboration with Area Study Center (Russia, China, and Central Asia), University of Peshawar, and Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad.

During the meeting, it was discussed that the Eurasian Legal Framework Study Cell will work to create awareness regarding the economic laws of Indonesia in order to enhance bilateral economic and trade relations between Pakistan and Indonesia.

Additionally, it was decided that the Eurasian Legal Framework Study Cell will make efforts to produce a plan which will ensure smooth collaborations and cooperation between both countries, Pakistan and Indonesia, in various domains.

Moreover, cooperation in academics and research was also discussed. It was decided that in order to equip the young scholars and experts with the required legal knowledge, linkages between the legal institutes of the involved countries will also be supported.

In this regard, Eurasian Legal Framework Study Cell will make significant efforts to develop cooperation between law colleges of Pakistan and Indonesia.

During the meeting, it was also decided that the study cell will help develop linkages of Area Study Centers of Pakistan with the relevant Indonesian institutions.

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Islamabad, OCT 13: Indonesian Ambassador launched the ‘Batik’ exhibition titled ‘Indonesia Batik: Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity’ at the Centaurus Mall, on Monday.

The exhibition which is collaboration between the Indonesian Embassy, and the Batik Studio, Islamabad aims at transmitting inspiring innovative ideas and skill development in creative mediums and fashion industry.

President Pakistan Women Association Mehwish Sohail was the guest of honour on the occasion while faculty and students from National College of Arts, Iqra University and Fatima Jinnah University were also present on the occasion.

Ambassador Adam Tugio flanked by the guest of honour, GM Operations Centaurus Mall Irfan Ul Haque, CEO Batik Studio Mohsin Qamar launched the exhibition by cutting the ribbon.

Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Adam Tugio said that because of the shared historical, religious and cultural linkages and remarkable similarities the possibilities for deepening of Indonesia’s relationship with Pakistan were enormous and hence promotion of people to people contact encourages the vital role that various stakeholders could play in contributing to the strength and vitality of the bilateral relationship.

He said that Indonesia was extremely rich in art and culture which were intertwined with religion and age-old traditions. The crafts of Indonesia vary in both medium and art form and as whole the people are artistic by nature and express themselves on canvas, wood, metals, clay and stone, he added.

The Envoy said that Batik was the most quintessentially Indonesian textile and historically the most expressive and subtle of the resist methods. Batik was intertwined with the cultural identity of the Indonesian people and, through the symbolic meanings of its colours and designs, expresses their creativity and spirituality. 

It was gaining popularity internationally as a wonderful creative medium and, no wonder, it has been added to the Representative List of Unesco’s World Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity which is the theme of the today’s exhibition as well, he elaborated.

On this occasion, the Ambassador also informed that the Embassy will soon organize “The Pakistan Batik Design Competition” in collaboration with the Pakistani Universities. He mentioned that the top three winners of the competition will be sent to Indonesia’s world famous Bali Island for a free trip and get two weeks hands on training on Batik Technique and Designing at the prime Arts College of the Island.

Batik textiles feature ornate motifs, patterns, and colours created by brushing or pouring hot wax onto un-dyed fabric. The fabric is then dyed, and the wax is removed with boiling water to reveal the patterns. This process can be repeated multiple times to create layered patterns with different colours.

Although it is common to see the mass production of batik with technology and machines, it is still made by hand in many parts of Indonesia. 

There is a considerable market for this high-quality cloth. Batik is gaining popularity both in Indonesia and abroad and the fashion designers were incorporating batik textiles and designs into their range of collection. 

The list of batik products was ever getting lengthier and the striking beauty of batik handbags, bedspreads, curtains and tablecloths was indescribable. The exhibition will continues till Wednesday (13 October) and displays some fine collection of batik and batik products.

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COURTESY THE NEWS

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ISLAMABAD, JUN 13: The Indomie brand instant noodle factory built in Pakistan is expected to start production later this year, not only to supply the country's market but also in the region.

Indonesian Ambassador to Pakistan Adam M Tugio said a branch of a company called PT Indofood Pakistan has begun to build an Indomie factory in the Faisalabad industrial area.

"The factory is targeted to operate by the end of 2021 and is expected to be able to supply and sell PT Indofood products in South and Central Asian countries in the future," Tugio said in a press statement at the Indonesian Embassy in Islamabad received by the editors, Thursday (10/6). /2021).

Indomie is one of the Indonesian brands that has penetrated the global market widely. Previously, Indofood also built a factory in the Tekirdag industrial area, Turkey, and is said to have controlled 90% of the instant noodle market share in the country.

Apart from Turkey, PT Indofood also has a factory in Mombasa, Kenya.

The trade balance in 2020 reached US$ 2.5 billion with a surplus for Indonesia of US$ 2.1 billion or, an increase of 8% from 2019 which reached US$ 2.3 billion with a surplus of US$ 1.9 billion, according to data from the Indonesian Embassy. .

The data shows that Indonesia-Pakistan trade is able to grow in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Tugio claimed that various efforts had been made by the Indonesian Embassy in Islamabad to improve economic and trade relations, including increasing exports and diversifying Indonesian products to Pakistan.

One of the efforts made is to cooperate with the E-Commerce Pakistan Gateway to hold the Indonesia-Pakistan Virtual Trade Expo 2021 and e-business matching on April 5-9 2021.

The activity was attended by 15 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) from the country and more than 100 potential buyers from Pakistan.

Several Indonesian companies that attended the exhibition included CV Tanaka Solution Agent, PT United Family Food, CV Tata Niaga Lestari PT Pareto Estu Guna, PT Audie Innovation Indonesia, PT Konimex, PT Bin Affan Exindo, CV Buana Raga, PT Audie Building Industry, and CV Donya Drop Daruet.

"Seeing the enthusiasm of the many participants of the 2021 Virtual Trade Expo, the Indonesia-Pakistan cooperation relationship is expected to be more solid in various fields including politics, education, socio-culture, defense, economy and trade," said Tugio.

The Indonesian Embassy also utilizes technology in an effort to increase exports, in collaboration with the CEO of E-commerce Pvt Ltd, Muhammad Uzair Nizam, who is also the founder of #ecombri.com, in the creation of a digital trade platform .

The platform will facilitate business actors from two countries in an effort to increase bilateral trade.

The #ecombri.com site is Pakistan's first and largest Online Plus Offline business-to-business (B2B) platform that has the potential to simplify the procurement process for buyers and sellers with both online and offline interactions.

The cooperation will be used to promote trade, tourism and investment in various cities in Pakistan, Tugio said.

According to the Executive of the Economic Function of the Indonesian Embassy in Islamabad, Syarief Shahabudin, although promotions abroad have been halted due to Covid-19 in the past year, the Indonesian Embassy's initiative allows economic activities and interactions with prospective importer partners of Pakistan to be realized.

Some of the Indonesian products on display were medical equipment, dried coconut/copra, snacks, coffee beans, medical equipment, building construction equipment, palm sticks, health drinks, cooking oil, handicrafts , sweets, and other agricultural products.

"Prospective importers from Pakistan are also enthusiastic about participating in the Virtual EXPO," said Syarief.

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COURTESY beritasatu.com

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JAKARTA, MAY 17: Indonesia has reiterated its call for international leaders' support to end violence during and ahead of international forums that seek to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

"Indonesia strongly condemns Israel’s attacks, which have resulted in the loss of hundreds of lives, including women and children. Israel's aggression must be put to a stop," President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo said on Twitter on Saturday.

Jokowi has been urging the United Nations Security Council, which was due to meet on Sunday, to take measures against what he described as repeated violations carried out by Israel, saying on Monday that Indonesia would continue to stand with the people of Palestine.

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi attended an emergency meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Sunday evening, in which she tried to push the OIC to have a stronger stance on ending the violence.

“We are focusing on gaining international support so we can put huge pressure on Israel to stop the violence,” Abdul Kadir Jailani, director general for Asia Pacific and Africa, who accompanied Retno at the OIC meeting, told The Jakarta Post on Sunday.

The tensions between Israel and Palestine drew international outcry after the severe escalation of violence in Gaza and East Jerusalem. Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip killed eight children and demolished a building housing media offices, sparking international outcry.

Before the OIC meeting, Retno reached out to several counterparts, such as the foreign ministers of Egypt, Malaysia and Brunei, regarding this issue.

At the OIC meetings, Indonesia proposed three key points to resolve the conflict, including the need to unite support for Palestinian independence.  Retno also suggested that each country use its influence to encourage a ceasefire and that the OIC has to work harder to restart credible multilateral negotiations. “Together we have to act now. The Palestinian people deserve justice. And I emphasize that Indonesia will continue to support the Palestinian struggle,” she told a press conference on the sidelines of the OIC meeting.

If the UNSC fails to take action, the UN General Assembly must hold an emergency meeting, Retno said, adding that the OIC would urge it to implement international protection to protect Palestinians and the Al Aqsa Mosque area. “The OIC calls on the international community to stop the ongoing Israeli settlement colonization of occupied Palestinian land, and reaffirms its position in supporting Palestinian independence,” Retno told the press. Later on Sunday, in a statement issued after the emergency meeting, the OIC condemned "in the strongest terms Israel's brutal aggression" against the Palestinian people.

The statement, carried by Saudi state media, called for an immediate halt to the attacks on civilians, saying they were "a violation of international law and the UN resolutions", Reuters reported. Sunday's UNSC meeting is set to take place after Israel ally Washington, which has been criticized for not doing enough to stem the bloodshed, blocked another meeting scheduled for Friday. Several days earlier, Retno also sent out messages to foreign ministers from Vietnam, India and Norway, all of which are UN security council nonpermanent members. “We have been communicating with India, with Norway, and some members of the UNSC. We have conveyed our hopes to the members of the Security Council who have similar concerns,” Kadir said. “We expect the Security Council to take firm action regarding Israeli aggression even though we know this will not be easy."

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres was "dismayed" by civilian casualties in Gaza and "deeply disturbed" by Israel's strike on the tower housing news bureaus, a spokesperson said Saturday as reported by AFP. Guterres "reminds all sides that any indiscriminate targeting of civilian and media structures violates international law and must be avoided at all costs", he said.

The heaviest fighting since 2014 between Israel and Islamist group Hamas, sparked by unrest in Jerusalem, has claimed 174 lives in the crowded coastal enclave of Gaza and killed 10 people in Israel since last Monday. Both Israel and Hamas, the Islamist group that runs the enclave, insisted they would continue their cross-border fire after Israel destroyed a 13-floor building in Gaza City that housed the Qatar-based Al Jazeera and the Associated Press news agency.

US President Joe Biden expressed his "grave concern" over violence in Israel and Gaza in a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Saturday, while separately telling President Mahmoud Abbas that Hamas must "cease firing rockets." Speaking on the sixth day of a paroxysm of Israeli-Palestinian violence that has left scores dead or wounded, Biden expressed his "strong support" for Israel's right to defend itself against rocket attacks by "Hamas and other terrorist groups", in his call with Netanyahu, while also emphasizing his clear concern over the deadly flare-up and casualties on both sides, as well as for the safety of journalists.

In a televised statement late Saturday, Netanyahu thanked Biden for "unequivocal support". Netanyahu told the US that Israel was doing its utmost to safeguard civilians in its Gaza bombing campaign. "The proof is that towers containing terror sites are cleared of uninvolved people prior to being attacked," he said. Balls of flame and a mushroom cloud of debris shot into the sky Saturday afternoon as Israel's air force flattened the Gaza building housing Al Jazeera and AP, after giving a warning to evacuate. Israeli defence officials said the building housed not only news bureaus but offices of Hamas militants.

Both Al Jazeera and AP condemned the attack, with AP asking Israel to put forward evidence, Reuters reported. Hamas began its rocket assault on Monday after weeks of tensions over a court case to evict several Palestinian families in East Jerusalem, and in retaliation for Israeli police clashes with Palestinians near the city's Al Aqsa Mosque, Islam's third-holiest site, during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Hamas, Islamic Jihad and other militant groups have fired more than 2,000 rockets from Gaza since Monday, the Israeli military said on Saturday. Israel has launched more than 1,000 air and artillery strikes into the densely populated coastal strip, saying they were aimed at Hamas and other militant targets.

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COURTESY thejakartapost

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ISLAMABAD, MAY 5: On 5th May 2021, A certificate Distribution Ceremony was held for the Online Internship Program, “Contemporary Dynamics of Indonesia” jointly organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia to Pakistan and Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad.

The Online Internship Program was organized to facilitate the academic exchange between the two countries and to familiarize the participants with the contemporary characteristics of Indonesia.

The ceremony commenced with the opening remarks of Mr. Khalid Taimur Akram, Executive Director, CGSS. He highlighted that students from across Pakistan participated in this program, these students were provided with an opportunity to interact with renowned experts, analysts, and academicians from Indonesia. Mr. Khalid further applauded the Ambassador of Indonesia to Pakistan for his efforts in enhancing connectivity between Pakistan and Indonesia through this online internship.

Adam M. Tugio, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Pakistan presented a speech on, “Prospects for “Prospects for Strengthening Bilateral Relations between Pakistan- Indonesia”. He also highlighted the political history of Indonesia and its gradual economic development. Furthermore, he highlighted that Indonesia has survived through all challenges by its strong nationalism, national resilience, devolution, and the true spirit of Democracy.

Adam M. Tugio appreciated the management of the Center for Global & Studies (CGSS), Islamabad for their dedicated efforts in planning and organizing the Internship Program. 

He was of the view that this internship has familiarized the participants with the cultural, historical, and linguistic characteristics ofIndonesia. It has played an important role in developing academic linkages between both countries. He was of the view that this internship will open new avenues of cooperation.

Mr. Sanaullah, Former Ambassador of Pakistan to Indonesia also shared his thoughts on the occasion. He shared his experience of being in Indonesia and highlighted that it is a country of great cultural values and diversity. He emphasized that Pakistan is ready to take more initiatives to further strengthen bilateral ties between both countries.

The speeches were followed by an interactive session with His Excellency Adam M. Tugio, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Pakistan.

Letters and Certificates of appreciation were also presented to the interns and organizers of the Online International Internship Program.

In his concluding remarks, Maj. Gen. Hafiz Masroor Ahmed, Vice-President, Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad. He appreciated the enthusiasm of students during the internship and suggested that these kinds of opportunities play a significant role in the professional and academic profile building of students.

The event was moderated by Ms. Palwasha Nawaz, Project Executive, Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad. The interns who couldn’t attend the ceremony due to the COVID-19 situation participated virtually.

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ISLAMABAD/JAKARTA, APR 25: After publishing the sad news of Indonesian Submarine sank as hopes of rescuing 53 sailors on board faded on Saturday, the Pakistani authorities conveyed their sympathies and condolences with the Indonesian government and its people and especially with those families who lost their loved ones in this tragic incident.

Indonesia Embassy in Pakistan also said, we are truly sorry for your loss. We would like to offer you and your families our deepest & most sincere condolences and may the soul of your great submariners rest in peace.

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JAKARTA, APR 22: Indonesia’s military said it was searching for a submarine with 53 crew aboard after losing contact with the vessel during naval exercises off the coast of Bali on Wednesday.

The German-built KRI Nanggala 402 was scheduled to do live torpedo exercises when it asked for permission to dive early on Wednesday morning, authorities said.

“After permission was given according to the procedure, the submarine lost contact and could not be reached,” the defence ministry said.

A helicopter looking for the missing vessel spotted an oil spill in waters where the submarine was thought to have submerged, it added. The navy said it has not pinpointed the exact location of the submarine but had narrowed down the search based on the spill.

The oil “could indicate damage on the body” of the submarine, navy spokesman Julius Widjojono told MetroTV.

The military has dispatched some 400 personnel and two warships in the hunt, while a third vessel was being deployed from the capital Jakarta.

It also sent out an international distress signal, and “several countries have responded and are ready to help including Singapore, Australia and India,” the defence ministry said.

There were 53 crew aboard the vessel, which was believed to be in waters about 700 metres (2,300 feet) deep.

Indonesia, which has been moving to upgrade its military equipment in recent years, has five German and South Korean-built submarines in its fleet.

The 1,300-tonne KRI Nanggala 402 was built in 1978, according to a government website. While the Southeast Asian archipelago has not previously suffered a major submarine disaster, other countries have been struck by accidents in the past.

Among them was the horrific sinking in 2000 of the Kursk, the pride of Russia’s Northern Fleet.

The submarine was on manoeuvres in the Barents Sea on August 12, 2000 when it sank with the loss of all 118 aboard. An inquiry found a torpedo had exploded, detonating all the others.

Most crew died instantly but some survived for several days — with a few keeping heart-breaking diaries written in blood to their loved ones — before suffocating. It was the Russian navy’s worst-ever disaster.

Seventy Chinese naval officers and crew were killed, apparently suffocated, in an accident on a Ming-class submarine conducting exercises in 2003.

Then, in 2008, 20 people were killed by poisonous gas when a fire extinguishing system was accidentally activated on a Russian submarine being tested in the Sea of Japan. In 2018, authorities found the wreckage of an Argentine submarine that had gone missing a year earlier.

Crushed from an implosion, the ARA San Juan was located at a depth of more than 900 metres (3,000 feet) in a desolate area of undersea craters and canyons 400 kilometres (250 miles) off the coast of Argentina. The accident took the lives of 44 sailors.

In 2019, a French submarine that had gone missing in the Mediterranean over 50 years beforehand was found. The diesel-electric Minerve submarine was lost off France’s southern coast with 52 sailors on board on January 27, 1968.

The Minerve was on a training mission in bad weather when it went down while returning to its base in Toulon.

Experts have speculated that the disaster was caused by a problem with the Minerve’s rudder, a collision with another boat, the explosion of a missile or torpedo, or a fault with its oxygen supply systems.

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COURTESY DAWN NEWS

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ISLAMABAD, APR 15: The Fourth Session of the International Online Internship Program, “Contemporary Dynamics of Indonesia” was held. The internship program is jointly organized by the Embassy of Indonesia to Pakistan and the Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad.

The theme of the fourth session was “Indonesian Foreign Policy: Regionalism and Global Security Challenges” and the speaker for this session was Prof. Dinna P. Raharja, Associate Professor in International Relations, BINUS University, Jakarta Prof. Dinna, during her lecture, explained regarding Indonesia and Framework of Regional Political Security Cooperation, Regional Political Security Challenges, and Global Response to the participants.

Explaining the fundamental factors contributing to the formulation of Foreign Policy, she highlighted factors including Bureaucratic Patrimonialism, history, and desire of a state to go global.

Prof. Dinna also elaborated ASEAN and its evolution process over the years. According to her, at present ASEAN community aims enforce cooperation in politics and security among members with three main characteristics (ASEAN Vision 2020) which are rules-based community of shared values and norms, cohesive, peaceful, stable, and resilient region with shared responsibility for comprehensive security, and dynamic and outward-looking region in an increasingly integrated and interdependent world.

Furthermore, she explained three fundamental ways to secure national interest which are Multilateralism and Diplomacy, Economic Pressure, and Unilateralism and Arms Proliferation. According to her, if one becomes more important then other two factors get affected. Also, historically the major economies have mostly refused to cooperate.

The session was concluded with Adam Mulwaraman Tugio, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Pakistan’s closing remarks. He briefly talked about ASEAN and how individual states can not be impactful in international arena.

Hence, the integrated approach of the states resulted in formation of ASEAN.

The session was moderated by Ms. Palwasha Nawaz, Project Executive, Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad. Masters and Ph.D. level Students from across Pakistan are a part of this Online International Internship Program. This program will equip them with the knowledge of the contemporary dynamics of Indonesia and its various sectors.

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COURTESY CGSS

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• Adam Mulwaraman Tugio, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Pakistan concluded the session with his remarks that there is a need for Pakistan and Indonesia to cooperate in various sectors.

ISLAMABAD, APR 14: The Third Session of the International Online Internship Program, “Contemporary Dynamics of Indonesia” was held. The internship program is jointly organized by the Embassy of Indonesia to Pakistan and the Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad.

The theme of the third session was “Indonesia’s Foreign Policy and Global Maritime Fulcrum ” and the speaker for this session was Drs. Berlian Helmy, M. Ec, Director of Ideology and Politics from National Resilience Institute, Indonesia.

Drs. Berlian discussed the components of the current efforts in-focus and foreign policies to strengthen and deepen the participation of Indonesia in the Global Maritime.

According to him the basic nature and the initial priority for the Indonesian Foreign Policy is to get engaged with the outside world. There is a certain ‘Global Maritime Ambition’ to project the country as a Maritime State. Therefore, the ambition of the Global Maritime Fulcrum is devised on five basic pillars where the rebuilding of the infrastructure of the shipping industry, application of maritime diplomacy, and Maritime Power to Protect is the priority for peaceful maritime relations.

Drs. Berlian also explained the contributions of Indonesia, Implementations of policies, tools to regulate those policies, and challenges –procedurally being overcome. He discussed that it is of vital significance for Indonesia to establish the combatting modules and the protection zones in the Asia Pacific Maritime, while the high standard ports, cost-efficient and effective markets are driving the Maritime connectivity. He also signified foreign policy to be a realm where the chances for the boundaries cooperation and exercises would thrive between the Pacific and the Indian ocean.

Furthermore, acknowledging the role of Pakistan and her ties with Indonesia, Drs. Berlian stated that Pakistan can contribute in two major ways; by becoming a partner and investor in major energy projects of Indonesia and setting up a joint military cooperation scheme in the Indo-Pacific linkups which would decrease the potential tensions and harmonize the revolutionizing Maritime structure in the global maritime Fulcrum.

Adam Mulwaraman Tugio, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Pakistan concluded the session with his remarks that there is a need for Pakistan and Indonesia to cooperate in various sectors.

The session was moderated by Ms. Palwasha Nawaz, Project Executive, Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad. Masters and Ph.D. level Students from across Pakistan are a part of this Online International Internship Program. This program will equip them with the knowledge of the contemporary dynamics of Indonesia and its various sectors.

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COURTESY CGSS 

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ISLAMABAD, APR 6: The First Session of the International Online Internship Program, “Contemporary Dynamics of Indonesia” was held. The internship program is jointly organized by the Embassy of Indonesia to Pakistan and the Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad.

The session commenced with the welcome remarks of Adam Mulawarman Tugio, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Pakistan. He appreciated the initiative to conduct this Online International Internship Program. He was of the view that this program will provide an opportunity to Indonesia and Pakistan for further cooperation as both countries are democratic and home to the largest Muslim populations.

He also emphasized that Indonesia has exciting opportunities for scholars and researchers that can be explored during this internship program. He concluded by inviting more ideas and areas of cooperation between Indonesia and Pakistan.

The theme of the first session was Indonesian Politics: Between Islam and Nationalism and the speaker for this session was Dr. Abdul Gaffar Karim from the faculty of Political Science, Gajah Mada University, Yogjakarta, Indonesia.

He discussed four perspectives during the session including, brief history and geography of the country, the political history of Indonesia, implementation of Syariah (Shariah) in the daily lives of Muslims in the country, and lastly the prospects.

He highlighted the social outlook of the country and mentioned that Indonesia has almost 17000 islands and it is the 4th most populous country. Moreover, it is the home to hundreds of ethnic and religious groups with a majority Muslim population.

Discussing the political outlook of the country, Dr. Abdul Gaffar shared that the state ideology is based on Pancasila, it is a democratic state with a bicameral legislature and presidential form of government where people elect their president after every 5 years,

He also highlighted the Syariah Banking system under the Bank Syariah Indonesia that follows the finance system based on the concept of Islamic monetary system, Non-riba. Furthermore, 40.4% of the Islamic bank industry is controlled by the state through the Bank Syariah Indonesia.

He added that the Syariah banking on the local level marks the presence of Islam in the daily life of people and is implemented pragmatically.

Dr. Abdul Gaffar stated that Indonesia will remain a nationalist, semi-secular state with some Islamic-inspired policies in many sectors.

The session was moderated by Ms. Laraib Fatima Hassan, Communication & Coordination Manager, Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad. Masters and Ph.D. level Students from across Pakistan are a part of this Online International Internship Program. This program will equip them with the knowledge of the contemporary dynamics of Indonesia and its various sectors.

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COURTESY cgss.com.pk

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ISLAMABAD, FEB 27: The diplomatic staff of the Embassy of Indonesia to Pakistan visited the Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad and had a meeting with the Senior Management of CGSS.

During the meeting, it was decided that CGSS and the Embassy of Indonesia in Pakistan will collaborate to organize various research and academic activities.

The concept of Regional Integration Center, Punjab University, Lahore was also introduced during the meeting.

It was decided that the Embassy of Indonesia will facilitate in connecting different institutions and think tanks of Indonesia with Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad.

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COURTESY CGSS

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