QRIS and GPN Under US Scrutiny, Indonesia Remains Resilient

QRIS and GPN Under US Scrutiny, Indonesia Remains Resilient

marbun   12:59 PM

Negotiations regarding tariffs between Indonesia and the United States (US) have become a prominent topic of discussion recently. Through these negotiations, the US government has highlighted the use of Indonesia's digital payment systems, namely the Quick Response Indonesian Standard (QRIS) and the National Payment Gateway (GPN). Reportedly, these systems are considered to limit the space for foreign companies in the Indonesian market.

The Indonesian government, through Bank Indonesia (BI) and the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, has promptly responded to these concerns. Senior Deputy Governor of BI, Destry Damayanti, stated that the negotiation process with the US is still ongoing through diplomatic channels.

Destry further added that Indonesia remains open to cooperation in the digital payment system sector. However, any collaboration with foreign countries, including the United States, depends on the readiness of each party to engage more broadly with the QRIS system.

"Cooperation with foreign countries depends on the readiness of each. So, with America as well, once they are ready, we will also be ready," Destry explained in Jakarta on Monday (April 21, 2025).

QRIS, a digital payment system that has become a mainstay in Indonesia, has been widely adopted across the country. BI has even expanded the use of QRIS to Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore, specifically targeting Indonesian migrant workers (PMIs) in those countries.

This initiative aims to facilitate payment transactions for PMIs who often face difficulties in cross-border transactions. BI is also in the process of establishing QRIS collaborations with other countries, including South Korea, India, and Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, mentioned that the government has discussed this matter with BI and the Financial Services Authority (OJK). However, the specific details of the government's actions have not yet been fully elaborated.

The US has also raised other issues during the negotiations, including import permits, the Online Single Submission (OSS) system, tax incentives, and import quotas. All of these are perceived as limiting the access of foreign companies to the Indonesian market.

Airlangga emphasized that these negotiations are aimed at ensuring that trade between Indonesia and the US remains fair and balanced. Indonesia seeks to maintain an independent yet friendly economic system with its partner countries.

QRIS and GPN are considered integral to strengthening the national payment system. Through these systems, Indonesia aims to make public transactions safer, faster, and based on domestic technology.

BI also clarified that despite the growth of QRIS, foreign credit cards such as Visa and Mastercard still hold a dominant position in the market. Therefore, the accusation that Indonesia is closing itself off to foreign systems is inaccurate.

Destry stated that QRIS and GPN are not forms of protectionism but rather efforts to build a payment infrastructure suitable for the needs of the Indonesian people, especially in this digital era.

Analysts suggest that this tension highlights the growing importance of digital sovereignty in the current global landscape. Developing countries like Indonesia are beginning to establish independence in their payment systems.

International relations experts assess that Indonesia holds a strong position because QRIS has already provided tangible benefits, particularly for Indonesian migrant workers who have historically faced challenges in cross-border transactions.

With its large population and high growth in digital transactions, Indonesia's bargaining power is considered quite significant. The US will need to carefully consider its approach to this situation.

Moving forward, Indonesia needs to further strengthen its digital payment system, both in terms of technology, regulation, and fair international cooperation.

These negotiations are not just about economics but also touch upon digital sovereignty and the future of global finance.

Indonesia hopes that by remaining steadfast yet open, its national payment system can continue to develop, and Indonesia's position on the global trade stage will remain strong.

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Batak Muslim League: Forging Friendship and Brotherhood in North Sumatra

Batak Muslim League: Forging Friendship and Brotherhood in North Sumatra

marbun   5:11 PM

An innovative and heartening initiative is gaining momentum in North Sumatra. The proposed Batak Muslim League, a football tournament specifically aimed at discovering hidden talents among Batak people who adhere to Islam throughout Indonesia, is now a subject of enthusiastic discussion. This initiative is envisioned not merely as a sporting competition but also as an effective platform to strengthen the bonds of kinship and brotherhood among fellow community members.

This noble idea is believed to have the potential to tap into football talents that may have gone unnoticed, particularly within the Batak Muslim community scattered across the Indonesian archipelago. By centering the league's activities in Humbang Hasundutan or other regions in North Sumatra with a significant Batak Muslim population, it is hoped that this tournament will become a magnet attracting participation from various areas.

The organization of the Batak Muslim League can be initiated by various parties who share a common vision of strengthening unity and developing sporting potential within the Batak Muslim community. The North Sumatra branch of the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI Sumut), the Provincial Government of North Sumatra (Pemprovsu), or private entities with a concern for this issue can serve as primary drivers.

Community organizations that encompass the Batak Muslim people, such as the Jamiyah Batak Muslim Indonesia (JBMI), the Persatuan Batak Islam (PBI), and various other Batak Muslim-related organizations, are also expected to take an active role as initiators and implementers of this tournament. Synergy among various stakeholders will be key to the success of realizing a league that has the potential to become an eagerly awaited annual agenda.

To ensure smooth execution and maximum participation, the league format can be designed in a phased and structured manner. For example, the league could be held in regional segments first. The initial phase could involve football teams from Batak Muslims originating from the Toba region, Humbang Hasundutan, Toba Regency, Samosir, and North Tapanuli. These inter-regional matches will serve as an exciting warm-up and simultaneously strengthen relationships among communities at the local level.

After competing at the regional segment level, the winners from each segment will qualify for the next stage, which is the national championship. The culmination of this tournament will be a gathering of the best teams from Batak Muslims across Indonesia. The winners of the previous segment leagues will have the honor of hosting this national championship, a privilege that will undoubtedly ignite the spirit of competition and togetherness.

More than just scouting potential football talents, the Batak Muslim League has a noble aim to foster closer friendship and brotherhood among Batak people who embrace Islam. Through interaction on the football field, it is hoped that mutual understanding, respect, and the strengthening of familial ties, which may have been separated by geographical distance, will flourish.

This tournament can also serve as a platform to introduce and preserve Batak cultural values among the younger Muslim generation. The spirit of mutual cooperation (gotong royong), kinship, and sportsmanship, which are characteristic of the Batak community, can be implemented in every match. Thus, this league will not only develop sporting potential but also serve as a positive means of character education.

Furthermore, the Batak Muslim League has the potential to enhance the positive image of the Batak Muslim community in Indonesia. Through organized sporting activities that uphold the values of brotherhood, this tournament can set an example for other communities in building national unity and harmony.

The positive impacts of organizing the Batak Muslim League are believed to extend to various aspects of social and cultural life. In addition to strengthening kinship and developing sporting potential, the tournament also has the potential to stimulate the economy in the host regions. The arrival of participants and supporters from various areas will positively impact the tourism sector and local micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

To ensure the successful implementation of the Batak Muslim League, careful planning, good coordination among relevant parties, and full support from local governments, PSSI, and various community organizations are necessary. Effective outreach will also be crucial to ensure that this tournament reaches all the potential within the Batak Muslim community throughout Indonesia.

With a spirit of togetherness and strong determination, the Batak Muslim League has the potential to become an eagerly awaited annual agenda. This tournament is not just a football competition but also a moment to celebrate brotherhood, strengthen cultural identity, and develop the potential of the young Batak Muslim generation across Indonesia.

This initiative can also inspire other communities in Indonesia to organize similar tournaments with a focus on the values of brotherhood and cultural preservation. Sports, especially football, have a universal power to unite diverse backgrounds and strengthen the bonds of friendship.

The Batak Muslim League is a concrete step in harnessing the power of sports for a nobler purpose, which is to strengthen national unity, especially within the Batak Muslim community. With the support and active participation of all parties, this tournament is believed to make a positive contribution to the advancement of sports and social harmony in Indonesia.

Let us support and realize this Batak Muslim League as an event that not only produces talented football players but also serves as a platform that strengthens the bonds of kinship and togetherness among Batak Muslims throughout the archipelago. This is the time to weave silaturahmi through the spirit of sportsmanship on the green field.

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Arab Footprints in New Zealand? Legend of Giant Birds

Arab Footprints in New Zealand? Legend of Giant Birds

Wish Me Luck   6:57 PM

An intriguing claim suggesting that Arab geographers in the medieval period may have been acquainted with the existence of New Zealand has become a subject of lively discussion among historians and researchers. In his publication in the Proceedings New Zealand Institute, volume III, page 65, Eccles delves into this claim, referencing a quotation from "The English Mechanic" dated December 3, 1869, page 279.

The excerpt from "The English Mechanic" reveals that various Arabic geographical works dating from the 13th and 14th centuries, many of which have been translated into other languages, provide descriptions of a large and highly mountainous island situated in the farthest southern ocean. This island is depicted as being located far to the southeast of Borneo and uninhabited by humans, but rather by gigantic birds referred to as "sheemoah."

The descriptions found within these ancient Arabic geographical texts naturally raise compelling questions regarding the possibility of interaction or knowledge of the region now known as New Zealand by the Arab world long before the arrival of Europeans. If this claim holds true, it would necessitate a re-evaluation of the history of global discovery and exploration, potentially opening a new chapter in our understanding of the extent of geographical knowledge in the past.

The existence of records detailing a large island south of Borneo, inhabited by colossal birds, in medieval Arabic literature presents a fascinating enigma that ignites curiosity. Does this description indeed refer to New Zealand, or is it merely a legend or the product of the imaginations of writers of that era? This question compels researchers to undertake further investigation into ancient Arabic works and compare them with archaeological evidence and other historical records.

The term "sheemoah" used in the description also becomes a focal point of research. Does this term possess specific linguistic roots or meanings in Arabic that could provide further clues about the type of giant birds being described? Or could it perhaps be a transliteration of a local name or designation used by sailors or traders who might have reached the region?

Linguists and historians need to collaborate to explore the origins and meaning of the term "sheemoah." Comparisons with accounts from other cultures that might have similar legends or myths about giant birds in the southern regions could also yield valuable insights.

The claim regarding Arab knowledge of New Zealand in the medieval period certainly necessitates more in-depth verification. While the quotation from "The English Mechanic" provides intriguing information, it is crucial to examine the primary sources of the Arabic geographical works mentioned. Analysis of original manuscripts and accurate translations is essential to ascertain the validity of this claim.

Furthermore, the historical and geographical context of the 13th and 14th centuries needs to be considered. What was the extent of Arab seafaring and trade during that period? Was it plausible for Arab sailors or traders to reach a region as far as New Zealand? Archaeological evidence in New Zealand also needs to be examined for any potential artifacts or traces indicating contact with other cultures before the arrival of Europeans.

If it is indeed proven that Arab geographers in the medieval period possessed knowledge of New Zealand, it would represent a highly significant discovery in the history of global exploration and discovery. It would alter our understanding of world maps of that era and demonstrate that the reach of human geographical knowledge was far more extensive than previously estimated.

However, it is crucial to maintain a critical and methodological approach in investigating this claim. Robust and verified evidence is necessary before we can accept this claim as historical fact.

Careful research into primary sources, linguistic analysis, and comparisons with archaeological and other historical evidence are vital steps in this verification process.

Regardless of the veracity of the claim, the discussion surrounding the possibility of Arab knowledge of New Zealand in the medieval period serves as a compelling reminder of the vastness and complexity of the history of global discovery and exploration. It also highlights that numerous mysteries and unanswered questions still exist within our historical records, awaiting unearthing by future research and discoveries.

The tale of a large island south of Borneo inhabited by giant birds in ancient Arabic literature, whether it refers to New Zealand or not, remains a captivating narrative that sparks the imagination. The legend of the "sheemoah," the colossal bird, adds color and mystery to the historical and geographical records of the past.

Further research is anticipated to provide more definitive answers regarding this claim. Was New Zealand indeed known to the Arab world in the medieval period? Or is the description merely a legend or a misinterpretation? Time and meticulous research will unveil the truth behind this intriguing story.

What is certain is that this discussion has opened a new window into viewing the history of global discovery and reminds us that there is still much we do not know about the journeys of humankind and its explorations across the Earth. The footprints of the past continue to challenge us to delve deeper and expand our understanding of global history.

The story of the potential Arab footprints in New Zealand and the legend of the giant "sheemoah" will undoubtedly remain a fascinating topic for further exploration. It is a reminder that history is often more intricate and surprising than we imagine, and that new discoveries can continuously reshape our understanding of the past.

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