Ex-Japanese Prime Minister Says Tokyo's Stance Towards Moscow 'Wrong

©AFP 2023

The attitude of the Japanese government led by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida towards Russia is wrong, former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama told Sputnik on Friday.

On Friday, ambassadors of some 40 states visited the Russian Embassy in Japan on the occasion of the upcoming Russia Day, which is celebrated annually on June 12. Hatoyama was among those who visited the embassy.

"I think that the Japanese government's attitude towards Russia is wrong. There have been various discussions, including on the territorial issues, and I thought that the improvement of relations would bring the solution of this problem closer. However, at present [Japan], in obedience to the United States, is almost giving military support to Ukraine, so Japan is supporting Ukraine and looking at Russia as an enemy. As a result, the friendship that we had until now is deteriorating. I deeply regret this," Hatoyama said.

The former prime minister said that Japan's power elite should adopt a more balanced approach to building relations with Russia.

"I think it is necessary to formulate a policy with a more correct point of view. Kishida's administration, as well as Japanese media that take the government's side, are fixated on supporting Ukraine, but I think [they] should have approached the problem with a more neutral attitude," Hatoyama said.

A total of 700 individuals, including 311 individuals from Russia's new regions, and 207 companies have been sanctioned by Japan since the beginning of Russia's military operation in Ukraine on February 24, 2022. A total of 437 Russian entities have been affected by export restrictions under Japan's sanctions packages.

Russia and Japan have been locked in a dispute over the four southernmost Kuril Islands (Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan, and Habomai) since the two countries never signed a permanent peace treaty after World War II. Japan has refused to give up its claims over the four islands, which it refers to as its Northern Territories. Moscow and Tokyo have tried to negotiate separate aspects of their disagreements, but have never signed a full postwar peace treaty.

In 2018, Japan and Russia agreed to accelerate negotiations on a peace treaty based on the 1956 Soviet-Japanese Joint Declaration. However, in March 2022, Moscow withdrew from talks with Japan on signing a post-World War II peace treaty, and suspended visa-free travel for Japanese citizens to the Southern Kuril Islands and joint economic activities on the disputed islands. The move was due to Tokyo's "unfriendly" steps over the Ukraine conflict, Moscow has said.

Brussels Says Not Halting Military Aid to Kiev Even Without Clarity on Arms Use in Russia

Belgium is not going to suspend military aid to Kiev even without clarity on the issues of possible use of the country's supplied weapons in Russia's Belgorod Region by Ukrainian sabotage group, Belgian Defense Minister Ludivine Dedonder said on Friday.

Last week, Belgian media reported that the Belgian Foreign Ministry and Defense Ministry will turn to Kiev "at the first opportunity" for an explanation due to the use of Belgian-made weapons in the Belgorod Region of by a Ukrainian sabotage and intelligence group.

"Are we going to suspend deliveries in anticipation of its [Kiev's] response? No, it is not on the agenda. We are in the zone of conflict, a lot can happen. I hope that we find everything out at some point," Dedonder told Belgian newspaper.

All weapon supplies to Ukraine are accompanied by a document stating that their goal is "protecting the Ukrainian territory and its population," but not for attack on another state, the minister explained.

Putin gives timeline for deployment of nukes to Belarus

The deployment of Russian nuclear weapons in Belarus will begin as soon as adaptation work at the relevant storage facilities is completed, around the first week of July, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a meeting with his Belarusian counterpart on Friday.

“Everything is going according to plan,” Putin told President Alexander Lukashenko, adding that on July 7-8 “the preparation of the relevant facilities will be completed and we will immediately begin measures related to the deployment of the relevant types of weapons on your territory.”

Putin previously stated that he would discuss pressing security issues with Lukashenko “face to face” on Friday during an informal meeting in Sochi, part of which will be open to the press.

The president noted that “in general, the situation is stable, I would even go as far as to say that it is good. We are confidently cooperating in this sphere.”

Before concluding the open portion of the talks, Putin told Lukashenko that “there is always something to talk about. And that’s what we’ll do today.”

In late March, Putin announced that Russia would place its tactical weapons in Belarus in response to the UK’s decision to provide Kiev with depleted uranium munitions. The US and UK have insisted that uranium shells were “a commonplace munition” that “has been in use for decades.” Lukashenko, meanwhile, has repeatedly raised the issue of threats posed to his nation by nuclear arms deployed by the US in EU countries.

Washington and its allies in Europe have responded with outrage to the move, calling it an “irresponsible escalation and a threat to European security” and have warned that they will apply sanctions unless Minsk refuses to host Russian tactical weapons.

Moscow has dismissed the backlash, suggesting the West is “prone to hysterical reaction” and pointing out that Russia’s actions do not differ much from those of the US. It has also stressed that Minsk will not be able to use the nuclear weapons independently and that control over the munitions will remain with Moscow.

Chief of Russian General Staff holds video call with Chinese counterpart

Chief of the Russian General Staff Army General Valery Gerasimov held talks with his Chinese counterpart Liu Zhenli via a video link-up, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported on Friday.

"Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, First Deputy Defense Minister Army General Valery Gerasimov held talks via video conferencing with Chief of the Joint Staff Department of the Chinese People’s Republic’s Central Military Commission Colonel-General Liu Zhenli appointed to this post in March 2023," the ministry said in a statement.

Russia-China coordinated efforts contribute to stable global situation

Coordinated efforts by Russia and China on the international scene have a stabilizing effect on the global situation, Gerasimov said during the video call.

"Coordinated efforts by Russia and the People’s Republic of China on the international scene have a stabilizing effect on the world situation," he said.

Joint Russia-China military exercises can serve as an example of this, Gerasimov pointed out.

These drills held both on a bilateral basis and within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the ADMM-Plus mechanism of defense ministers of ASEAN and dialogue partners contribute to deepening positive contacts in the defense sphere, the chief of the Russian General Staff stressed.

Russia favors continuous joint combat training with China

The Russia-China joint operational and combat training practice should remain a priority area, Gerasimov said.

"The practice of joint operational and combat training measures carried out by the Armed Forces of Russia and China should remain a key area of further activity. I am confident that today’s talks will help further bolster the Russia-China strategic defense partnership. I would like to use this opportunity to invite you to visit Russia at any time convenient for you," he said.

Russia, China to keep expanding defense cooperation

The appointment of Colonel-General Liu Zhenli as the Chief of the Joint Staff Department of the Chinese People’s Republic’s Central Military Commission will contribute to expanding Russia-China military cooperation, Gerasimov said.

"I am convinced that your vast experience will contribute to both developing the Chinese Armed Forces and expanding military cooperation between our countries," he said.

The chief of the Russian General Staff also congratulated his Chinese counterpart on his appointment in March this year and wished him "success in this responsible post in the cause of defending homeland, strengthening its defense capability and further modernizing the People’s Liberation Army of China."

Moscow appreciates Chinese defense minister’s first foreign visit to Russia

The Russian side highly appreciates that Chinese Defense Minister Colonel-General Li Shangfu chose Russia for his first foreign visit, Gerasimov said.

"The visit by Defense Minister of the People’s Republic of China Colonel-General Li Shangfu to Moscow in April played an important role in developing Russia-China interaction in the defense sphere. We highly appreciate that Colonel-General Li Shangfu chose Russia as the first country for his foreign trip after his appointment, as Chinese President Xi Jinping did when he came on a state visit to our country in March," Gerasimov said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping confirmed the highest level of Russia-China comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction. Amid global developments, the decisions made shape long-term national development and security goals sealed in the joint statement, including the issues of deepening military cooperation, the chief of the Russian General Staff said.

KFF Singapore Open 2023 - Ginting ke Semifinal

Anthony Sinisuka Ginting lolos ke semifinal Singapore Open 2023 (Foto: dok. PBSI)

Satu - satunya wakil Indonesia, di nomor tunggal putra, Anthony Sinisuka Ginting yang lolos ke babak semifinal KFF Singapore Open 2023, setelah mengalahkan Li Shi Feng dengan rubber set, 21-13, 16-21, 21-12.

Bermain di Singapore Indoor Stadium, hari Jumat malam WIB, 09/06/2023, Ginting mengalahkan Li Shi Feng dalam waktu 62 menit atau 1 Jam 2 menit.

Sebelumnya, di nomor ganda putra, pasangan Leo Rolly Carnando/Daniel Marthin gagal mempertahankan gelar Singapore Open setelah kalah dari pasangan Malaysia, Aaron Chia/Soh Wooi Yik pada babak perempat final, hari Jumat siang WIB, 09/06/2023.

Sehingga laga hari ini di babak perempatfinal, Anthony Sinisuka Ginting adalah wakil Indonesia terakhir yang masih tersisa di Singapore Open 2023.

Harapan pasangan berjuluk The Babies itu pupus setelah ditaklukkan ganda putra asal Malaysia Aaron Chia/Soh Wooi Yik dengan skor akhir 21-18, 16-21, 20-22 yang dicatatkan dalam waktu satu jam 18 menit.

"Sayang kami kalah. Kecewa juga. Padahal setelah ketinggalan jauh di gim ketiga kami bisa mengejar dan menyamakan kedudukan 20-20. Sayang di posisi itu, lawan malah bermain lebih nekat dan mendapat dua poin kemenangan," kata Daniel melalui pesan resmi PP PBSI di Jakarta.

Pada gim pertama, Leo/Daniel meraih keunggulan pada permainan depan. Namun hal tersebut berbalik pada gim kedua dan ketiga, dimana duo Malaysia lebih menguasai zona depan.

The Babies bermain penuh tekanan, terutama pada gim kedua dan ketiga yang selalu tertinggal dari Aaron/Soh. Persiapan Aaron/Soh terbilang matang, karena langsung mempersiapkan diri setelah dikalahkan Leo/Daniel pada Malaysia Masters dua pekan lalu.

Saat tertinggal pada gim ketiga, Daniel berusaha untuk bermain lebih dinamis dengan berganti posisi dengan Leo ke posisi depan. Ia pun memutuskan untuk bermain lebih berani pada posisi tersebut.

"Saya bisa gantian bermain di depan. Saya hanya bermodalkan berani saja. Sayang, kami kalah," ungkap Daniel.

Sementara Leo juga mengakui bahwa permainannya hari ini tidak maksimal. Oleh sebab itu ia meminta Daniel untuk berpindah posisi ke zona depan.

"Makanya saya minta ke Daniel gantian lebih banyak bermain di depan. Ternyata di gim ketiga malah berhasil dan bisa menyamakan kedudukan 20-20. Sayang di poin terakhir lawan lebih baik," kata Leo menambahkan.

Meski menelan kekecewaan setelah kalah dari juara dunia 2022, namun The Babies berusaha tegar dan bangkit untuk menatap turnamen selanjutnya. Bagi mereka, lolos hingga perempat final Singapore Open merupakan hasil yang patut disyukuri.

"Setelah ini, kami akan mempersiapkan diri menghadapi Indonesia Open. Kami akan mempersiapkan diri sebaik mungkin. Sebagai tuan rumah, kami tentu tidak mau mengecewakan para penggemar," pungkas Leo.

Sementara itu, Ginting yang menang atas Li Shi Feng memberi harapan bagi Ginting untuk mempertahankan gelarnya di Singapore Open.

Ginting mulanya tertinggal 0-2 dari Li Shi Feng. Namun dengan dua pukulan smes, unggulan kedua Singapore Open 2023 ini bisa menyamakan kedudukan.

Duel sengit terjadi pada set pertama ini. Baik Ginting maupun Li Shi Feng kerap berbalas smes guna mendapatkan poin.

Meski demikian satu placing di depan net dengan backhand dari Li Shi Feng membuatnya kembali menyamakan skor 7-7.

Dengan jumping smash ke sisi forehand Li Shi Feng, Ginting unggul 11-9 pada interval set pertama.

Kombinasi smes dan placing dari Ginting cukup menyulitkan Li Shi Feng pada set pertama ini. Setelah melepaskan smes lurus, Ginting melakukan placing di depan net di sisi backhand Li Shi Feng.

Kondisi itu memaksa Li Shi Feng mengembalikan bola dengan tanggung yang mudah terbaca Ginting. Tanpa kesulitan Ginting mendorong kok ke area kosong yang tidak terjangkau lawan.

Poin demi poin didapat Ginting usai interval. Netting menyilang dari Ginting tidak bisa dijangkau Li Shi Feng yang membuatnya menjauh dengan keunggulan 18-12.

Ginting menutup set pertama dengan kemenangan 21-13 setelah servis yang tanggung dari Li Shi Feng dituntaskan dengan smes lurus.

Ginting keteteran pada awal set kedua. Drop shot menyilang Ginting terlalu melebar, Li Shi Feng unggul 5-0.

Antony Ginting masih kesulitan keluar dari tekanan Li Shi Feng. Smes lurus Li Shi Feng ke sisi kiri Ginting membuat andalan China itu unggul 10-2.

Sejumlah eror dilakukan Ginting pada set kedua. Mulai dari permainan net yang gagal hingga placing menyilang yang terlalu melebar. Upaya netting Ginting yang gagal itu membuat Li Shi Feng menjauh dengan 17-10.

Ginting berupaya mengejar ketinggalan hingga 16-20. Namun dorongan Ginting yang terlalu panjang ke belakang membuat Li Shi Feng unggul 21-16 di set kedua. Pertandingan berlanjut ke rubber set.

Dua smes keras membawa Ginting unggul 10-6 pada gim ketiga. Ginting unggul 11-8 pada interval gim ketiga setelah memenangi duel permainan di depan net atas Li Shi Feng.

Sergapan Ginting di depan net yang mengarah ke tubuh Li Shi Feng membuatnya menjauh dengan 16-12. Ginting unggul 18-12 usai drop shot menyilangnya ke sisi kanan Li Shi Fing gagal dikembalikan.

Ginting memenangi duel perempat final ini dengan mencatatkan skor 21-12. Ginting lolos ke semifinal Singapore Open 2023.

Rekap Hasil Babak Perempatfinal KFF Singapure Open 2023 16 Besar

Air Defense System Takes Down 2 Targets Over Russia's Belgorod

©Photo : Russian Defense Ministry Press Service

The air defense system took down two aerial targets over Russia's Belgorod, and there are no casualties, Region Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said on Friday.

"Our air defense system worked over Belgorod. Two aerial targets were shot down approaching the city. Operational services are clarifying the situation on the ground. According to preliminary data, there are no casualties," Gladkov said on Telegram.

Kremlin Says Aware of Reports on Drone Shot Down in Voronezh, Verification Underway

The Kremlin saw reports about the situation with a drone in the city of Voronezh, the special services are verifying the information, spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday.

Earlier in the day, Voronezh Region Governor Alexander Gusev said that three people were injured as a drone fall on the street of the city. Photographs posted on social media show that a multi-storey building received minor damage as a result of the incident.

"We know, we saw reports that it was shot down. And, in fact, an already shot down drone got there. Details are being specified, special services are working," Peskov told reporters, adding that Kiev continues attacks on residential facilities.

Peskov added that Russian President Vladimir Putin will hold a meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Sochi, as well as meet with the heads of delegations of CIS and Eurasian Economic Union's (EEU), and plans to talk with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.

"Putin is in Sochi today, and he will begin the public part of his working day with an informal conversation with Belarusian President Alexander Grigoryevich Lukashenko, which will take place at the Bocharov Ruchey (Putin's summer) residence," Kremlin spokesman told.

The president will then travel to Sirius and together with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin will meet the heads of foreign delegations who take part in meetings of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council and the Council of CIS Heads of Government.

"There will be a speech by both Putin and Mishustin, speeches by the heads of foreign delegations. Then Putin will hold a separate working meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan," Peskov said.

Commenting on recent reports about Suadi-American tensions, Peskov stressed that Saudi Arabia is a sovereign state that can make decisions on its own economy and it does not need lectures from anyone, including the United States.

The US news outlet reported on Thursday, citing leaked intelligence, that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman promised major economic implications for the United States last fall after Washington threatened to impose "consequences" on Riyadh for cutting oil production.

"Saudi Arabia is a sovereign state, a responsible state, a very important player in the international energy markets. Of course, this sovereign state can quite sovereignly make decisions that relate to the economy itself. And it is unlikely that anyone, even the United States, can read lectures on what to do in this or that case," Peskov told reporters.

Watch Russian Artillery Obliterate Ukrainian Self-Propelled Howitzer

Artillery is often known as the ‘god of war’ and counter-battery fire, one of the most important assets on the battlefield.

The Russian Armed Forces pinpointed and wiped out a Ukrainian self-propelled howitzer, seen from drone footage. Operated by Kiev regime militants, the howitzer was hidden in the woods and shelled one of the Donetsk regions.

The battlefield tactic, used by Russia, is known as counter-battery fire. This is a set of moves employed to defeat the enemy’s artillery, mortars and multiple rocket launchers. The main challenge is to calculate the point of origin of enemy fire, which is done nowadays via table computers. The Russian army has a vast number of counter-battery tools, including Giatsint guns.

Drone Crashes in Russian City of Voronezh

A drone has fallen in in the Russian city of Voronezh, injuring several people, Alexander Gusev, the region's governor, said on Friday.

Photographs posted on social media show that a multi-storey building received minor damage as a result of the incident. According to preliminary data, three people were lightly injured.

Images purportedly shot at the scene show a wall of the building severely damaged, presumably by the impact.

It cited the company managing the apartment block as saying the injuries received by bystanders were only minor cuts. Several homes were damaged after the drone hit the building between the second and third floors, it added.

Some media reported that the unmanned aircraft was carrying explosives and was intercepted by air defenses before crashing down.

A video shared online, which purports to have been filmed by a witness moments before the crash, showed an aircraft flying over the city. It then makes a nosedive and hits a building in a fiery explosion.

A security source cited by TASS assessed that the drone was targeting an aviation plant located in Voronezh, but was stopped by electronic warfare countermeasures.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the investigation into the incident was underway, but preliminary reports indicated that it was a Ukrainian attack against Russian civilian infrastructure.

Last week, three unmanned aerial vehicles crashed in Moscow, hitting several residential buildings. Russia has accused Ukraine of launching the aircraft, branding the incident an act of terrorism.

The Voronezh Region is located in the western part of Russia, relatively close to Kiev-controlled territories. Ukrainian troops have been launching regular cross-border attacks since the start of the armed conflict with Russia.

Belinsky Street in Voronezh, where the latest drone fell, is in the city center, close to several government buildings and a university campus.

Washington quiets as Canadian smoke blankets U.S. capital

Downtown Washington, D.C. is seen shrouded in haze and smoke caused by wildfires in Canada, in Washington, June 8, 2023. REUTERS/Amanda Andrade-Rhoades

The shroud of polluted air emanating from Canadian wildfires pushed further down the Atlantic Seaboard on Thursday, blanketing Washington, D.C., in an unhealthy haze and prompting many residents of the nation's capital to stay indoors.

Traffic was light and trains less crowded than usual as many companies in the city told employees to work from home. Some non-essential municipal services were suspended, including parks and recreation, road construction and waste collection.

The Washington Nationals baseball team called off its home game, while the National Zoo shut down for the day. The Biden administration postponed its Pride Month event, which had been expected to be the largest celebration for LGBTQ+ people in the White House's history.

It was the worst case of wildfire smoke blanketing the U.S. Northeast in more than 20 years, according to private forecasting service AccuWeather.

The U.S. National Weather Service extended air quality alerts from New England to South Carolina, as well as parts of the Midwest, including Ohio, Indiana and Michigan. The smoke reached as far as Norway by Thursday, according to scientists tracking the level of particulates in Scandinavia.

Millions of Americans have been advised to stay indoors if possible to avoid respiratory issues and other health problems that could arise due to the high levels of fine particulates in the atmosphere.

Government data showed air quality readings above the "hazardous" level in Washington on Thursday morning.

Marvin Binnick, who moved to Washington from Nebraska a month ago, said watching the wildfire smoke roll into the nation's capital from his 12th floor apartment was surreal.

"This is supposed to be a typical sunny day, but I can't see the sky or sun or anything," said Binnick, who was sent home from his customer service job early on Thursday. "Normally D.C. is pretty popping - but on my way to work and on my way home today, it looked like a ghost town."

Many people wore masks outside as a thick layer of smoke veiled the capital. The dense smog, which reeked of ash, erased the top of the Washington Monument from view.

"This problem is likely to continue or worsen through Friday," Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser said in a tweet. "We urge residents and visitors to follow precautions."

BRIGHTER SKIES OVER NEW YORK

In New York, which spent much of Wednesday covered in a sickly haze, air remained some of the worst in the world on Thursday, with pollution similar to that found in perennially smoggy cities such as Dhaka and Delhi, according to IQAir, a Swiss technology company.

Though a smell of burning wood lingered, the skies were brighter on Thursday morning than on Wednesday, but as evening approached, the haze appeared to be thickening again.

After two days in which schools called off outdoor activities, including sports practices and recess, New York's public school system announced that its more than 1 million students would shift to remote learning on Friday.

The smoke prompted aviation officials to halt incoming flights to major airports in New York and Philadelphia from the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic region and Ohio for a second day. All flights bound for the airport in Newark, New Jersey, a major New York-area airport, were delayed.

Smoky conditions are likely to persist until Sunday, when a new storm system shifts the direction of prevailing winds, National Weather Service meteorologist Peter Mullinax said.

But researchers have said wildfires will occur more often and at higher intensity due to climate change.

"Public knowledge is a huge issue," said Keith Bein of the Air Quality Research Center at the University of California, Davis. "People need to realize that this is not a one-off event. These fires are going to be the new normal."

While the conditions have disrupted daily life for millions of Americans, the impact on the U.S. economy is likely to be limited and short-lived, according to Ryan Sweet, chief U.S. economist at Oxford Economics.

In Canada, where the smoke originated, the federal government gave Toronto a "high risk" rating based on the air quality on Thursday afternoon, while other cities such as Ottawa and Montreal were at "low risk" as smoky conditions eased.

The country is enduring its worst-ever start to wildfire season, with thousands forced from their homes.

The U.S. has dispatched more than 600 firefighters to Canada to help the country battle the blazes. President Joe Biden, who has called the wildfires another reminder of the dangers of climate change, said U.S. officials were monitoring air quality and aviation delays.

Nasib Pedagang Plaza Bogor belum Jelas

Plaza Bogor. IST

Nasib pedagang Plaza Bogor hingga kini masih tak menentu, seiring rencana Perusahaan Umum Daerah Pasar Pakuan Jaya (Perumda PPJ) melakukan pembongkaran terhadap bangunan tersebut.

Sementara hingga kini Perumda PPJ tak menyiapkan tempat penampungan sementara (TPS) di area Plaza Bogor. Hal itu lantaran perusahaan pelat merah itu telah menyiapkan tempat relokasi di beberapa pasar. Di antaranya Blok F Pasar Kebon Kembang.

“PPJ tak boleh lepas tanggungjawab. Keberadaan TPS itu penting, agar pedagang tak nganggur saat revitalisasi dilaksanakan,” ujar Anggota Komisi II, Rizal Utami kepada wartawan.

“Kemudian pedagang ditempatkan sementara tak jauh dari tempat usaha semula. Sebab, bila jaraknya terlalu jauh pedagang terancam kehilangan konsumen,” tambahnya.

Selain itu, kata Rizal, Perumda PPJ tak melaksanakan pembongkaran sebelum perkara Plaza Bogor di Mahkamah Agung (MA) berstatus inkracht “Sebab, Plaza Bogor sudah di-PMP-kan oleh Pemkot Bogor. Kalau pemkot sampai kalah, otomatis PPJ mesti mengembalikan uang Rp65 miliar kepada pengembang sebelumnya,” jelasnya.

Rizal juga mengatakan bahwa Komisi II meminta PPJ menyiapkan kios bagi 378 pedagang eksisting Plaza Bogor, agar mereka dapat kembali berjualan di tempat tersebut pasca revitalisasi.

“Jadi pedagang eksisting menginginkan agar mereka dapat mengisi kembali kios di Plaza Bogor pasca revitalisasi,”

Menanggapi hal itu, Direktur Operasional Perumda PPJ, Deni Ariwibowo mengatakan, pihaknya akan menyediakan TPS bagi pedagang di Pasar Bogor, Blok F, A, dan B Pasar Kebon Kembang.

“Di Pasar Bogor masih banyak kios kosong. Kebanyakan dari pedagang pun berminat pindah ke Pasar Bogor. Mulai besok (hari ini) PPJ akan mendata pedagang terkait keinginan mereka untuk pindah kemana,” tutur Deni.

Lebih lanjut, kata dia, untuk di Pasar Bogor PPJ menyediakan tempat sementara bagi pedagang Plaza Bogor di lantai 1 dan 2. Kemudian di Blok F disiapkan di basement, lantai dasar, dan satu.

“Kalau di Blok A dan B, kami sediakan kios di lantai 1,” pungkas Deni.

Pedagang Plaza Bogor Ogah Direlokasi ke Pasar Kebon Kembang

Perumda PPJ menyiapkan tempat penampungan sementara (TPS) pedagang Plaza Bogor di area Plaza Bogor, diantaranya Blok F Pasar Kebon Kembang.

“PPJ tak boleh lepas tanggungjawab. Keberadaan TPS itu penting, agar pedagang tak nganggur saat revitalisasi dilaksanakan,” ujar Anggota Komisi II, Rizal Utami kepada wartawan.

“Kemudian pedagang ditempatkan sementara tak jauh dari tempat usaha semula. Sebab, bila jaraknya terlalu jauh pedagang terancam kehilangan konsumen,” tambahnya.

Selain itu, kata Rizal, Perumda PPJ tak melaksanakan pembongkaran sebelum perkara Plaza Bogor di Mahkamah Agung (MA) berstatus inkracht.

“Sebab, Plaza Bogor sudah di-PMP-kan oleh Pemkot Bogor. Kalau pemkot sampai kalah, otomatis PPJ mesti mengembalikan uang Rp65 miliar kepada pengembang sebelumnya,” jelasnya.

Rizal juga mengatakan bahwa Komisi II meminta PPJ menyiapkan kios bagi 378 pedagang Plaza Bogor, agar mereka dapat kembali berjualan di tempat tersebut pasca revitalisasi.

“Jadi pedagang eksisting menginginkan agar mereka dapat mengisi kembali kios di Plaza Bogor pasca revitalisasi,” urai dia.

Menanggapi hal itu, Direktur Operasional Perumda PPJ, Deni Ariwibowo mengatakan, pihaknya akan menyediakan TPS bagi pedagang di Pasar Bogor, Blok F, A, dan B Pasar Kebon Kembang.

“Di Pasar Bogor masih banyak kios kosong. Kebanyakan dari pedagang pun berminat pindah ke Pasar Bogor. Mulai besok (hari ini) PPJ akan mendata pedagang terkait keinginan mereka untuk pindah kemana,” tutur Deni.

Lebih lanjut, kata dia, untuk di Pasar Bogor PPJ menyediakan tempat sementara bagi pedagang Plaza Bogor di lantai 1 dan 2. Kemudian di Blok F disiapkan di basement, lantai dasar, dan satu.

“Kalau di Blok A dan B, kami sediakan kios di lantai 1 untuk pedagang Plaza Bogor,” pungkas Deni.

Pakar sarankan Golkar tampilkan Ridwan Kamil dongkrak elektabilitas

Wakil Ketua Bappilu Partai Golkar Ridwan Kamil. (ANTARA/HO-Humas Golkar)

Pakar komunikasi politik dari Universitas Airlangga Suko Widodo menyarankan Partai Golkar menampilkan kader yang mampu mendongkrak elektabilitasnya, seperti Gubernur Jawa Barat sekaligus Wakil Ketua Badan Pemenangan Pemilu (Bappilu) Partai Golkar Ridwan Kamil.

"Misalnya, Ketua Umum Golkar Airlangga Hartarto harus rela menempatkan Ridwan Kamil yang sekarang bergabung dengan Golkar," kata Suko kepada wartawan di Jakarta, Jumat.

Menurut Suko, langkah tersebut bisa ditempuh oleh Golkar guna membuat masyarakat melihat dan memilih Partai Golkar pada Pemilu 2024. Selain itu, Partai Golkar juga harus mulai intens bergerak mendekat dan menyapa masyarakat.

"Aktor politik Golkar harus banyak tampil di media, harus banyak turun ke masyarakat, harus memperkenalkan diri, dan sebagainya," tambahnya.

Lebih lanjut, Suko menilai hal tersebut perlu dilakukan oleh Golkar karena saat ini partai tersebut memiliki perolehan elektabilitas cukup stagnan dalam beberapa hasil survei.

"Beberapa lembaga survei mencatat tidak ada kenaikan signifikan dari elektabilitas partai tersebut. Istilahnya, Pak Airlangga juga harus realistis menghadapi tren itu," kata Suko.

Kemudian, terkait koalisi dalam pengusungan bakal calon presiden (capres) dan bakal calon wakil presiden (cawapres) di Pilpres 2024, Suko menilai Golkar berkemungkinan bergabung dengan PDI Perjuangan atau Partai Gerindra.

"Kemungkinannya, Golkar akan bergabung dengan PDI Perjuangan atau bergabung dengan Gerindra," imbuhnya.

Berdasarkan jadwal yang telah ditetapkan oleh Komisi Pemilihan Umum (KPU) RI, pendaftaran bakal calon presiden dan wakil presiden dijadwalkan dimulai pada 19 Oktober sampai dengan 25 November 2023.

Sebagaimana diatur dalam Undang-Undang Nomor 7 Tahun 2017 tentang Pemilihan Umum (UU Pemilu), pasangan calon presiden dan wakil presiden diusulkan oleh partai politik atau gabungan partai politik peserta pemilu yang memenuhi persyaratan perolehan kursi paling sedikit 20 persen dari jumlah kursi DPR atau memperoleh 25 persen dari suara sah secara nasional pada pemilu anggota DPR sebelumnya.

Saat ini, terdapat 575 kursi di parlemen sehingga pasangan calon presiden dan wakil presiden pada Pilpres 2024 harus memiliki dukungan minimal 115 kursi di DPR RI. Selain itu, pasangan calon juga dapat diusung oleh parpol atau gabungan parpol peserta Pemilu 2019 dengan total perolehan suara sah minimal 34.992.703 suara.

Pengamat: Golkar Harus Proaktif Dorong Airlangga Cawapres

Sementara menurut analis komunikasi politik Universitas Pelita Harapan (UPH), Emrus Sihombing, Partai Golkar harus proaktif mendorong Ketua Umum DPP Golkar, Airlangga Hartarto menjadi cawapres.

Pasalnya dengan bakal capres yang ada, hanya memunculkan tiga kandidat capres. Ketiganya yakni Prabowo Subianto, Anies Baswedan, dan Ganjar Pranowo.

"Saya pikir Golkar harus segera juga merapatkan diri kepada salah satu kandidat. Jadi tak hanya sekadar menunggu atau wait and see, tapi lebih proaktif tentu dengan kalkulasi di internal kira-kira ke Prabowo atau Ganjar," kata Emrus, hari Kami, 08/06/2023.

"Kalkulasinya kan peluang menang, ada Airlangga dan Golkar berada di situ, sudah pasti menang karena mesin politik Golkar akan bergerak," tambahnya.

Menurut Emrus, situasi Golkar saat ini yang belum memutuskan koalisi Pilpres 2024 sangat menguntungkan bagi partai beringin tersebut. Situasi wait and see yang tengah dialami Golkar menguntungkan untuk posisi cawapres yang masih sangat dinamis.

"Kalau untuk capres amat sulit bagi Golkar dalam hal ini Airlangga, tetapi sebagai cawapres bisa jadi penentu pemenang," ucap Emrus.

Emrus berpendapat, jika Airlangga dipasangkan dengan Ganjar Pranowo atau Prabowo Subianto, hasilnya bakal meraih kemenangan.

"Jadi kalau Golkar merapat ke Prabowo artinya Airlangga menjadi wakilnya, menurut hipotesis saya, maka Prabowo akan jadi Presiden dengan Airlangga sebagai wakilnya. Kalau Airlangga menjadi wakilnya Ganjar, maka Ganjar akan menang jadi Presiden. Artinya kemana dia merapat itu penentu pemenang," jelasnya.

Menurutnya, ketika Airlangga benar-benar dipastikan menjadi cawapres, kader-kader Golkar dan mesin politik Golkar akan bekerja sampai ke bawah.

"Karena Golkar ini partai yang sangat matang dan dewasa. Mesin politiknya bisa bekerja dengan pengalaman politik yang matang," tutupnya.