Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to travel to Indonesia on May 29 in his first ever visit to the country. The bilateral engagements between PM Modi and Indonesian President Joko Widodo will take place on May 30&nbspand 31.

PM Modi will receive a Guard of Honor and will deliver press statements along with his Indonesian counterpart. He is also expected to visit Hero National Cemetery, national monuments and interact with the Indonesian business community. A permanent feature during most of his visit, the PM will also interact with the Indian diaspora. Both India and Indonesia will unveil a logo marking 70 years of diplomatic ties.&nbsp 
&nbsp 
The Prime Minister will also visit a Buddhist Temple. India and Indonesia are&nbspexpected to sign a MoU on the&nbsprenewal of defence cooperation, space and policy planning. 
&nbsp 
President of Indonesia Joko Widodo had visited India earlier this year and was one of the chief guests at the Republic Day event. During the visit, Widodo had appreciated India's support for the ASEAN-led mechanism included in the East Asia Summit (EAS).

President Widodo is expected to invite the key countries in the region to discuss the Indo-Pacific concept.

Interestingly, Indonesia was the&nbspsecond foreign destination of India's external affairs minister this year. Sushma Swaraj visited Indonesia in&nbspJanuary 2018 and co-chaired the 5th meeting of India-Indonesia Joint Commission. Indian and Indonesian ministers also inaugurated the second meeting of ASEAN-India Network of think tanks. 
&nbsp 
Indonesia is an important partner for India with respect to trade and strategic matters. In recent times, there has been intensive engagement between the two countries.&nbsp

Both India and Indonesia consider themselves as maritime neighbors. India's Andaman & Nicobar Islands border&nbspthe Aceh province of Indonesia. New Delhi and Jakarta have also been discussing connectivity plans including a cruise connectivity project. 
&nbsp

During the visit, India and Indonesia will sign a MoU on the renewal of defence cooperation, space and policy planning

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to travel to Indonesia on May 29 in his first ever visit to the country. The bilateral engagements between PM Modi and Indonesian President Joko Widodo will take place on May 30&nbspand 31. PM Modi will receive a Guard of Honor and will deliver press statements along with his Indonesian counterpart. He is also expected to visit Hero National Cemetery, national monuments and interact with the Indonesian business community. A permanent feature during most of his visit, the PM will also interact with the Indian diaspora. Both India and Indonesia will unveil a logo marking 70 years of diplomatic ties. The Prime Minister will also visit a Buddhist Temple. India and Indonesia are&nbspexpected to sign a MoU on the&nbsprenewal of defence cooperation, space and policy planning. President of Indonesia Joko Widodo had visited India earlier this year and was one of the chief guests at the Republic Day event. During the visit, Widodo had appreciated India's support for the ASEAN-led mechanism included in the East Asia Summit (EAS). President Widodo is expected to invite the key countries in the region to discuss the Indo-Pacific concept. Interestingly, Indonesia was the&nbspsecond foreign destination of India's external affairs minister this year. Sushma Swaraj visited Indonesia in&nbspJanuary 2018 and co-chaired the 5th meeting of India-Indonesia Joint Commission. Indian and Indonesian ministers also inaugurated the second meeting of ASEAN-India Network of think tanks. Indonesia is an important partner for India with respect to trade and strategic matters. In recent times, there has been intensive engagement between the two countries. Both India and Indonesia consider themselves as maritime neighbors. India's Andaman & Nicobar Islands border&nbspthe Aceh province of Indonesia. New Delhi and Jakarta have also been discussing connectivity plans including a cruise connectivity project.

PM Modi to visit Indonesia on May 29 to mark 70 years of diplomatic ties

An Indonesian teenager was sentenced today to 18 months in prison for &quot;insulting&quot; President Joko Widodo on Facebook.

The 18-year-old high school student from Medan on the island of Sumatra, identified by the initials MFB, was found guilty of violating the country&#39;s internet law by making defamatory and slanderous comments online.

Judges also ordered him to pay 10 million rupiah ($700) in fines.

&quot;If the fines are not paid, the jail term is extended by one month,&quot; the presiding judge told the Medan court.

The teenager accepted the verdict and did not file an appeal.

MFB was arrested in August last year after he posted numerous inflammatory messages and memes against Widodo and police chief Tito Karnavian using fake accounts.

In July, he made a post challenging the police to arrest him. And they did, a month later.

The government of Indonesia, the world&#39;s largest Muslim majority country, has received criticism following a string of arrests of people accused of insulting the president, making slanderous comments and posting fake information on social media.

Democracy and rights activisits have branded the internet law draconian and a threat to free speech.

Last week a court in Jambi province, also on Sumatra, sentenced a local politician to one year in jail after he made a Facebook post considered to be insulting Islam. The judges found him guilty of violating the law and &quot;inciting hatred&quot;.

In November last year, a man was charged for posting on Instagram images of Widodo&#39;s wife, Iriana, with texts considered offensive to the first lady.

The 18-year-old high school student from Medan on the island of Sumatra, identified by the initials MFB, was found guilty of violating the country's internet law

An Indonesian teenager was sentenced today to 18 months in prison for "insulting" President Joko Widodo on Facebook. The 18-year-old high school student from Medan on the island of Sumatra, identified by the initials MFB, was found guilty of violating the country's internet law by making defamatory and slanderous comments online. Judges also ordered him to pay 10 million rupiah ($700) in fines. "If the fines are not paid, the jail term is extended by one month," the presiding judge told the Medan court. The teenager accepted the verdict and did not file an appeal. MFB was arrested in August last year after he posted numerous inflammatory messages and memes against Widodo and police chief Tito Karnavian using fake accounts. In July, he made a post challenging the police to arrest him. And they did, a month later. The government of Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim majority country, has received criticism following a string of arrests of people accused of insulting the president, making slanderous comments and posting fake information on social media. Democracy and rights activisits have branded the internet law draconian and a threat to free speech. Last week a court in Jambi province, also on Sumatra, sentenced a local politician to one year in jail after he made a Facebook post considered to be insulting Islam. The judges found him guilty of violating the law and "inciting hatred". In November last year, a man was charged for posting on Instagram images of Widodo's wife, Iriana, with texts considered offensive to the first lady.

Indonesian teen jailed for insulting President on Facebook

On the&nbsp;second day of her visit to South East Asia,&nbsp;External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj visited Indonesia.

Swaraj here called on the country to play a crucial role in South East Asia.&nbsp;

She said &quot;Indonesia is one of the largest country, the most diverse democracy and the biggest economy in ASEAN Region, has a critical role to&nbsp;play in evolution of the new security architecture in the Indo-Pacific region.&quot;

Swaraj also thanked Joko Widodo, President of Indonesia, for accepting PM Modi&#39;s invitation to join ASEAN special commemorative summit as Guest of honour at India&#39;s Republic Day celebrations.

Widodo will be accompanied by&nbsp;other ASEAN Heads of States and Heads of Governments in New Delhi.&nbsp;

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Indonesia, as one of the largest country, the most diverse democracy &amp; the biggest economy in ASEAN Region, has a critical role to play in evolution of the new security architecture in the Indo-Pacific region: EAM Sushma Swaraj in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jakarta?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Jakarta</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Indonesia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Indonesia</a> <a href="https://t.co/vPz4yqnGNR">pic.twitter.com/vPz4yqnGNR</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/949240515412676608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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I express my appreciation that President Joko Widodo accepted PM Modi&#39;s invitation to join ASEAN special commemorative summit as Guest of Honor at India&#39;s Republic Day celebrations along with other ASEAN Heads of States &amp; Heads of Govts in New Delhi: EAM Sushma Swaraj in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jakarta?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Jakarta</a> <a href="https://t.co/Ww6nhK6nlg">pic.twitter.com/Ww6nhK6nlg</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/949243003700355072?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Swaraj also stressed on developing relations with ASEAN Region as crucial for the country&#39;s Act East Policy.&nbsp;

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For India, relations with ASEAN Region is a key priority. It is at the core of our Act East Policy: EAM Sushma Swaraj in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jakarta?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Jakarta</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Indonesia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Indonesia</a> <a href="https://t.co/qe4pW9Xqlp">pic.twitter.com/qe4pW9Xqlp</a>
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Sushma Swaraj is on a four-day visit to South East Asia.

She arrived in Indonesia from Thailand on the second day of her three-nation tour.&nbsp;

The Union minister will visit Singapore next.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Swaraj also thanked Joko Widodo, President of Indonesia, for accepting PM Modi's invitation to join ASEAN special commemorative summit as Guest of honour at India's Republic Day celebrations

On the second day of her visit to South East Asia, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj visited Indonesia. Swaraj here called on the country to play a crucial role in South East Asia. She said "Indonesia is one of the largest country, the most diverse democracy and the biggest economy in ASEAN Region, has a critical role to play in evolution of the new security architecture in the Indo-Pacific region." Swaraj also thanked Joko Widodo, President of Indonesia, for accepting PM Modi's invitation to join ASEAN special commemorative summit as Guest of honour at India's Republic Day celebrations. Widodo will be accompanied by other ASEAN Heads of States and Heads of Governments in New Delhi. Indonesia, as one of the largest country, the most diverse democracy & the biggest economy in ASEAN Region, has a critical role to play in evolution of the new security architecture in the Indo-Pacific region: EAM Sushma Swaraj in #Jakarta #Indonesia pic.twitter.com/vPz4yqnGNR — ANI (@ANI) January 5, 2018 × I express my appreciation that President Joko Widodo accepted PM Modi's invitation to join ASEAN special commemorative summit as Guest of Honor at India's Republic Day celebrations along with other ASEAN Heads of States & Heads of Govts in New Delhi: EAM Sushma Swaraj in #Jakarta pic.twitter.com/Ww6nhK6nlg — ANI (@ANI) January 5, 2018 × Swaraj also stressed on developing relations with ASEAN Region as crucial for the country's Act East Policy. For India, relations with ASEAN Region is a key priority. It is at the core of our Act East Policy: EAM Sushma Swaraj in #Jakarta #Indonesia pic.twitter.com/qe4pW9Xqlp — ANI (@ANI) January 5, 2018 × Sushma Swaraj is on a four-day visit to South East Asia. She arrived in Indonesia from Thailand on the second day of her three-nation tour. The Union minister will visit Singapore next.

Indonesia to play critical role in Indo Pacific region: Sushma Swaraj

Indonesian President Joko Widodo said on Saturday that he will not compromise his country&#39;s sovereignty in the disputed South China Sea.

China claims almost the entire South China Sea as its own. Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam and also claim part of the disputed waters.

&quot;In regards to Indonesia&#39;s sovereignty, I don&#39;t compromise. I don&#39;t compromise,&quot; Widodo told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation ahead of a visit to Australia which he cancelled later on Saturday after protests in Jakarta by Muslim extremists briefly turned violent. The demonstrators were demanding the resignation of Jakarta&#39;s governor, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama for insulting Islam&#39;s holy book, the Koran.

His comments come after Australia&#39;s foreign minister, Julie Bishop&#39;s remarks on Tuesday that the two countries were considering joint naval patrols in the contested waters, Reuters reported.

The territory Widodo was talking about is the Natuna Islands in the South China sea which Indonesia claims as its own. China has not disputed Indonesia&#39;s claims to the islands but says the two countries have &quot;overlapping claims&quot; to the Natuna Sea, fuelling Indonesia&#39;s anger.

Last month, Indonesian warplanes staged a large-scale exercise in the waters around the Natuna Islands archipelago, following a spate of face-offs between the country&#39;s navy and Chinese fishing boats in the gas-rich southern end of the South China Sea.

Australia has previously drawn criticism from China for running surveillance flights over disputed islands in the South China Sea and supporting US freedom of navigation exercises there. 
 
(WION with inputs from Reuters)

China has angered Indonesia by saying the two countries had "overlapping claims" to waters around the Natuna Islands

Indonesian President Joko Widodo said on Saturday that he will not compromise his country's sovereignty in the disputed South China Sea. China claims almost the entire South China Sea as its own. Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam and also claim part of the disputed waters. "In regards to Indonesia's sovereignty, I don't compromise. I don't compromise," Widodo told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation ahead of a visit to Australia which he cancelled later on Saturday after protests in Jakarta by Muslim extremists briefly turned violent. The demonstrators were demanding the resignation of Jakarta's governor, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama for insulting Islam's holy book, the Koran. His comments come after Australia's foreign minister, Julie Bishop's remarks on Tuesday that the two countries were considering joint naval patrols in the contested waters, Reuters reported. The territory Widodo was talking about is the Natuna Islands in the South China sea which Indonesia claims as its own. China has not disputed Indonesia's claims to the islands but says the two countries have "overlapping claims" to the Natuna Sea, fuelling Indonesia's anger. Last month, Indonesian warplanes staged a large-scale exercise in the waters around the Natuna Islands archipelago, following a spate of face-offs between the country's navy and Chinese fishing boats in the gas-rich southern end of the South China Sea. Australia has previously drawn criticism from China for running surveillance flights over disputed islands in the South China Sea and supporting US freedom of navigation exercises there. (WION with inputs from Reuters)

Indonesian president says 'no compromise' on South China Sea

Asserting that there can be &quot;no compromise&quot; when it comes to tackling sex crimes, Indonesian President Joko Widodo has defended the introduction of chemical castration for pedophiles in an interview published today.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&quot;Our constitution respects human rights, but when it comes to sexual crimes there is no compromise,&quot; he told BBC, adding that the government &quot;will hand out the maximum penalty&quot; for such crimes.

&nbsp;

A series of tough punishments for child sex offenders were introduced in May by Widodo through an emergency decree, including chemical castration and the death penalty, AFP reported. The decision followed an outcry over the fatal gang-rape of a schoolgirl.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Last week, the Parliament voted to put the new regulations permanently on the statute book.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&quot;In my opinion... chemical castration, if we enforce it consistently, will reduce sex crimes and wipe them out over time,&quot; &nbsp;he has been quoted as saying in the interview.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

It&#39;s pertinent to mention that chemical castration involves using drugs to reduce libido and sex drive.

&nbsp;

According to AFP, Indonesia is among a small group of places worldwide which use the measure, including Poland and some states in the USA. South Korea became the first Asian country to legalise the treatment in 2011.&nbsp;

 
(WION with inputs from AFP)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Last week, the Parliament voted to put the new regulations permanently on the statute book

Asserting that there can be "no compromise" when it comes to tackling sex crimes, Indonesian President Joko Widodo has defended the introduction of chemical castration for pedophiles in an interview published today. "Our constitution respects human rights, but when it comes to sexual crimes there is no compromise," he told BBC, adding that the government "will hand out the maximum penalty" for such crimes. A series of tough punishments for child sex offenders were introduced in May by Widodo through an emergency decree, including chemical castration and the death penalty, AFP reported. The decision followed an outcry over the fatal gang-rape of a schoolgirl. Last week, the Parliament voted to put the new regulations permanently on the statute book. "In my opinion... chemical castration, if we enforce it consistently, will reduce sex crimes and wipe them out over time," he has been quoted as saying in the interview. It's pertinent to mention that chemical castration involves using drugs to reduce libido and sex drive. According to AFP, Indonesia is among a small group of places worldwide which use the measure, including Poland and some states in the USA. South Korea became the first Asian country to legalise the treatment in 2011. (WION with inputs from AFP)

Indonesia President defends 'chemical castration' of paedophiles

Indonesia urged the international community to respect its law, as another round of executions of drug convicts loomed. 
 
The response came after the United Nations human rights chief on Wednesday (July 27) called for an immediate reinstatement of a moratorium on the death penalty. 
 
&quot;The capital punishment is not against regime in international law. For Indonesia, death penalty is a &#39;positive&#39; law that is still effective here, and its not against the human rights under the context of constitution 1945,&quot; Foreign Ministry spokesman Armanatha Nasir told a news briefing in Jakarta. 
 
&quot;The action that Indonesia takes now is just about law implementation and enforcement. Just like how Indonesia respects the law of other nations, we hope all countries will respect the Indonesian law,&quot; he added. 
 
The United Nations and European Union had urged the executions be halted.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;Such death sentences are unlawful and tantamount to an arbitrary execution as they are undertaken in contravention of Indonesia&rsquo;s international human rights obligations,&quot; the UN said in a statement on Thursday. 
 
Amnesty International called the executions &quot;a deplorable act that violates international and Indonesian law&quot; and pleaded that the other death sentences not be carried out. 
 
&quot;The injustice already done cannot be reversed, but there is still hope that it won&#39;t be compounded,&quot; the rights group&#39;s regional director, Rafendi Djamin, said. 
 
Fourteen drug convicts, including nationals of Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Pakistan and India, will be executed in the next round, Attorney General Muhammad Prasetyo has said. 
 
The execution is part of President Joko Widodo&#39;s pledge to combat against drugs in the country. Widodo has pledged to increase the number of executions this year and next. 
 
Security has been tightened around the port leading to the prison island of Nusa Kambangan. 
 
(Reuters) 
&nbsp;

Indonesia's foreign ministry asked the international community to respect its law, saying the death penalty is "positive" for the country

Indonesia urged the international community to respect its law, as another round of executions of drug convicts loomed. The response came after the United Nations human rights chief on Wednesday (July 27) called for an immediate reinstatement of a moratorium on the death penalty. "The capital punishment is not against regime in international law. For Indonesia, death penalty is a 'positive' law that is still effective here, and its not against the human rights under the context of constitution 1945," Foreign Ministry spokesman Armanatha Nasir told a news briefing in Jakarta. "The action that Indonesia takes now is just about law implementation and enforcement. Just like how Indonesia respects the law of other nations, we hope all countries will respect the Indonesian law," he added. The United Nations and European Union had urged the executions be halted. "Such death sentences are unlawful and tantamount to an arbitrary execution as they are undertaken in contravention of Indonesia’s international human rights obligations," the UN said in a statement on Thursday. Amnesty International called the executions "a deplorable act that violates international and Indonesian law" and pleaded that the other death sentences not be carried out. "The injustice already done cannot be reversed, but there is still hope that it won't be compounded," the rights group's regional director, Rafendi Djamin, said. Fourteen drug convicts, including nationals of Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Pakistan and India, will be executed in the next round, Attorney General Muhammad Prasetyo has said. The execution is part of President Joko Widodo's pledge to combat against drugs in the country. Widodo has pledged to increase the number of executions this year and next. Security has been tightened around the port leading to the prison island of Nusa Kambangan. (Reuters)

Indonesia urges international community to respect its law

Indonesian parents are being advised today to consult their doctors and consider re-inoculating their children as a massive counterfeit vaccine scandal sweeps the country. 
 
Police smashed a criminal syndicate last week accused of selling fake vaccines for more than a decade to health clinics across Indonesia, a vast archipelago of 255 million people. 
 
Sixteen people, including a married couple believed to have masterminded the scheme, have been arrested over their alleged involvement. They are accused of distributing fake boosters for diseases including tuberculosis, hepatitis B and tetanus. 
 
Indonesia&#39;s health ministry is working with police to determine the scale of the problem. The national food and drugs agency has confiscated vaccines from nearly 30 health clinics, but it is not yet known how far the syndicate reached. 
 
&quot;We are working with the national food and drugs agency to collect data and take all measures necessary,&quot; health ministry spokesman Oscar Primadi told AFP. 
 
&quot;If vaccinations need to be redone then we will do it, it&#39;s not impossible.&quot; 
 
The Indonesian Pediatric Association said parents unsure if their child could be affected should ask their hospital or health clinic about the origin of their vaccines. 
 
&quot;If you`re still unsure, you can redo the vaccination. It does not have any negative impacts on a child&#39;s health,&quot; association chairman Aman Bhakti Pulungan told AFP. 
 
The scandal was brought to light after a major pharmaceutical company alerted Indonesian authorities that some of its products had been counterfeited. 
 
The case has caused nationwide concern and condemnation, with Indonesian President Joko Widodo demanding the harshest punishment possible for this &quot;extraordinary crime&quot;. 
 
(AFP)

'If vaccinations need to be redone then we will do it' the health ministry said after compromised vaccines from 30 clinics were confiscated

Indonesian parents are being advised today to consult their doctors and consider re-inoculating their children as a massive counterfeit vaccine scandal sweeps the country. Police smashed a criminal syndicate last week accused of selling fake vaccines for more than a decade to health clinics across Indonesia, a vast archipelago of 255 million people. Sixteen people, including a married couple believed to have masterminded the scheme, have been arrested over their alleged involvement. They are accused of distributing fake boosters for diseases including tuberculosis, hepatitis B and tetanus. Indonesia's health ministry is working with police to determine the scale of the problem. The national food and drugs agency has confiscated vaccines from nearly 30 health clinics, but it is not yet known how far the syndicate reached. "We are working with the national food and drugs agency to collect data and take all measures necessary," health ministry spokesman Oscar Primadi told AFP. "If vaccinations need to be redone then we will do it, it's not impossible." The Indonesian Pediatric Association said parents unsure if their child could be affected should ask their hospital or health clinic about the origin of their vaccines. "If you`re still unsure, you can redo the vaccination. It does not have any negative impacts on a child's health," association chairman Aman Bhakti Pulungan told AFP. The scandal was brought to light after a major pharmaceutical company alerted Indonesian authorities that some of its products had been counterfeited. The case has caused nationwide concern and condemnation, with Indonesian President Joko Widodo demanding the harshest punishment possible for this "extraordinary crime". (AFP)

Decade-long counterfeit vaccine scam scares Indonesian parents

Making a bold move to assert sovereignty over the area in the southern reaches of the South China Sea after Beijing stated its &quot;over-lapping claim&quot; on nearby waters, Indonesia&#39;s president visited the Natuna Islands aboard a warship on Thursday.&nbsp; 
 
President Joko Widodo&#39;s visit along with his chief security minister and foreign minister was described by Indonesian officials as the strongest message that has been given to China over the issue. A presidential palace statement said Widodo intended to hold a cabinet meeting aboard the warship. 
 
&quot;In the course of our history, we&#39;ve never been this stern (with China). This is also to demonstrate that the president is not taking the issue lightly,&quot; Chief Security Minister Luhut Pandjaitan told The Jakarta Post newspaper. 
 
On Monday, it may be recalled, Beijing said that while China does not dispute Indonesia&#39;s sovereignty over the Natuna Islands, &quot;some waters of the South China Sea&quot; were subject to &quot;overlapping claims on maritime rights and interests&rdquo;.&nbsp; 
 
Indonesia&#39;s Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, however, Wednesday rejected China&#39;s stance, saying the waters around Natuna are in Indonesian territory.&nbsp; 
 
There have been a series of face-offs between Indonesian and Chinese vessels in the area but both sides have denied that the matter is a territorial or diplomatic dispute. 
 
&quot;We want to show that Indonesia is a big country and we have to show this physically,&quot; Widodo said in a statement, referring to those infrastructure ambitions.&nbsp; 
 
Widodo&#39;s visit to the remote island chain, which lies over 340 kilometres (212 miles) off the northwest tip of Kalimantan - Indonesia&#39;s portion of Borneo island - was also aimed at promoting infrastructure development in Indonesia&#39;s border areas, asserted official sources.&nbsp; 
 
(Reuters)&nbsp;

Even after a series of face-offs between Indonesian and Chinese vessels, both sides deny there's a diplomatic dispute

Making a bold move to assert sovereignty over the area in the southern reaches of the South China Sea after Beijing stated its "over-lapping claim" on nearby waters, Indonesia's president visited the Natuna Islands aboard a warship on Thursday. President Joko Widodo's visit along with his chief security minister and foreign minister was described by Indonesian officials as the strongest message that has been given to China over the issue. A presidential palace statement said Widodo intended to hold a cabinet meeting aboard the warship. "In the course of our history, we've never been this stern (with China). This is also to demonstrate that the president is not taking the issue lightly," Chief Security Minister Luhut Pandjaitan told The Jakarta Post newspaper. On Monday, it may be recalled, Beijing said that while China does not dispute Indonesia's sovereignty over the Natuna Islands, "some waters of the South China Sea" were subject to "overlapping claims on maritime rights and interests”. Indonesia's Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, however, Wednesday rejected China's stance, saying the waters around Natuna are in Indonesian territory. There have been a series of face-offs between Indonesian and Chinese vessels in the area but both sides have denied that the matter is a territorial or diplomatic dispute. "We want to show that Indonesia is a big country and we have to show this physically," Widodo said in a statement, referring to those infrastructure ambitions. Widodo's visit to the remote island chain, which lies over 340 kilometres (212 miles) off the northwest tip of Kalimantan - Indonesia's portion of Borneo island - was also aimed at promoting infrastructure development in Indonesia's border areas, asserted official sources. (Reuters)

Aboard warship, Indonesia President sails to South China

Indonesia plans to execute 16 prisoners after the Muslim Eid al Fitr holidays next month, and more than double that number next year, a spokesman for the attorney general&#39;s office said today. 
 
M. Rum told reporters there are 152 people on death row in the country, but that drug traffickers will be prioritised. 
 
&quot;In accordance with the budget we have, we plan (to execute) 16 this year and 30 next year,&quot; Rum said. 
 
&quot;President Joko Widodo has said the country is facing a narcotics emergency and this is to...save our future generations,&quot; he added. 
 
He declined to give details on who would face the firing squad next month. 
 
Indonesia has harsh penalties for drug-related crimes, but temporarily halted executions after facing intense international criticism last year when it executed 14 people, mostly foreign drug traffickers. 
 
&nbsp;Widodo&#39;s refusal to pardon the prisoners, despite repeated pleas for mercy, sparked diplomatic tensions, most notably with Australia, which recalled its ambassador in protest at the execution of two of its citizens last April. 
 
Attorney general spokesman Rum said drug-related cases involved &quot;many&quot; foreigners, but declined to comment on whether any would face execution this year. 
 
A 59-year-old British woman, Lindsay Sandiford, was sentenced to death after being convicted in 2013 of trying to smuggle cocaine worth $2.5 million into the country. 
 
A Philippine maid, Mary Jane Veloso, got a last-minute reprieve last year in response to a request from Manila after an employment recruiter, whom Veloso had accused of planting drugs in her luggage, gave herself up to police in the Philippines.

Of 152 people on death row, the firing squad aims to kill 16 this year and 30 in 2017, mostly drug traffickers

Indonesia plans to execute 16 prisoners after the Muslim Eid al Fitr holidays next month, and more than double that number next year, a spokesman for the attorney general's office said today. M. Rum told reporters there are 152 people on death row in the country, but that drug traffickers will be prioritised. "In accordance with the budget we have, we plan (to execute) 16 this year and 30 next year," Rum said. "President Joko Widodo has said the country is facing a narcotics emergency and this is to...save our future generations," he added. He declined to give details on who would face the firing squad next month. Indonesia has harsh penalties for drug-related crimes, but temporarily halted executions after facing intense international criticism last year when it executed 14 people, mostly foreign drug traffickers. Widodo's refusal to pardon the prisoners, despite repeated pleas for mercy, sparked diplomatic tensions, most notably with Australia, which recalled its ambassador in protest at the execution of two of its citizens last April. Attorney general spokesman Rum said drug-related cases involved "many" foreigners, but declined to comment on whether any would face execution this year. A 59-year-old British woman, Lindsay Sandiford, was sentenced to death after being convicted in 2013 of trying to smuggle cocaine worth $2.5 million into the country. A Philippine maid, Mary Jane Veloso, got a last-minute reprieve last year in response to a request from Manila after an employment recruiter, whom Veloso had accused of planting drugs in her luggage, gave herself up to police in the Philippines.

Indonesia to ramp up executions after the holidays

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