VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto is optimistic that the Indonesian economy would grow between 5.5 percent and six percent in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2021.

"If we want to grow at four percent this year, then in the fourth quarter, we must increase it (economic growth) to around 5.5 percent to six percent," Airlangga stated at the 2022 Economic Outlook here, Monday.

The growth can be achieved due to several indicators right from the Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) to the consumer confidence index that was positive.

As a result, in 2021, the economy can grow by four percent and increase to 5.2 percent in 2022.

When viewed from the various components of the gross domestic product (GDP) expenditure, all of them showed positive growth in exports, imports, household consumption, investment, and government spending in the third quarter of 2021.

The minister estimated that household and government consumption would increase again in the fourth quarter of 2021.

"In the third quarter, these two components grew positively. In July, the two components decreased, as the government implemented strict community activity restrictions (PPKM) due to the Delta Variant. However, now, the two components are relatively under control," he noted.

Airlangga stated that sector wise, most of the main sectors recorded positive, consistent growth, especially the information and communication sector, at 5.51 percent; health services, at 14 percent; agriculture, at 1.31 percent; and real estate, at 3.42 percent.

Growth in the real estate sector was significantly supported by the government-borne value-added tax incentive. The incentive also succeeded in mobilizing 170 supporting sectors of the real estate sector.

Likewise, the manufacturing industry, which grew 3.68 percent, was helped by the luxury goods sales tax (PPnBM) incentives in the automotive sector. The incentive also made the supply chain move much more rapidly.

"It is estimated that this year, automotive sales can return to 850 thousand and automotive exports are expected to increase to 300 thousand," Coordinating Minister Airlangga remarked.

Bank Indonesia (BI) had earlier recorded a surplus of US$10.7 billion in the balance of payments (BOP) in the third quarter of 2021 after experiencing a deficit of US$0.4 billion in the previous quarter.

"Thus, this supports external resilience," Head of BI's Communication Department, Erwin Haryono, noted in an official statement received in Jakarta on Friday.

Meanwhile, foreign exchange reserves at the end of September 2021 reached US$146.9 billion, higher than US$137.1 billion at the end of June 2021.

The foreign exchange reserve position is equivalent to financing 8.6 months of imports and servicing government external debt, as it is above the international adequacy standards.

In the third quarter of 2021, the current account recorded a surplus that was mainly supported by a significant increase in the balance of trade (goods) surplus.

The current account in the reporting period recorded a surplus of US$4.5 billion (1.5 percent of the GDP) after a deficit of US$2.0 billion (0.7 percent of the GDP) during the previous quarter.

A surplus in the goods balance drove this positive performance due to an increase in non-oil and gas exports that aligned with strong demand from trading partner countries and the continued increase in prices of major export commodities in the international market. (Antaranews)

The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) reminded residents of the southern part of Central Java and central mountains in Central Java to remain vigilant to likely extreme weather in the next three days.

"Currently, the cyclonic seed 90S in the South Indian Ocean in West Java can likely cause heavy rain that is sometimes accompanied by lightning and strong winds," Head of the BMKG Technician Group, Teguh Wardoyo, noted on Monday.

The potential for extreme weather is also influenced by cyclonic circulation in the western waters of Aceh, Anambas waters, and the North Natuna Sea, he added.

In addition, wind convergence occurred in the West Indian Ocean of Bengkulu, Lampung waters, Java Sea, Sumba southern waters, southern Indian Ocean East Nusa Tenggara, North Natuna Sea, Central Kalimantan waters, Tanimbar waters, Sarmi waters, Aru Sea, and Agats waters.

Wind deflection or shear also occurred in the Aceh waters, Malacca Strait, southern Sunda Strait, southern Indian Ocean of West Java, Flores Sea, Banggai Bay, Tomini Bay, Gorontalo waters, Sulawesi Sea, Sangihe/Talaud waters, and northern Morotai waters.

"We remind people in the southern and mountainous regions of Central Java to be aware of the potential extreme weather," Wardoyo emphasized.

Responding to a query on the impact of cyclonic 90S on the increase in wave height in the southern seas of West Java to Yogyakarta, he noted that no early warning of high waves had been received.

However, the BMKG did not rule out the possibility of issuing an early warning for high waves in the southern waters of West Java-Yogyakarta and the southern Indian Ocean of West Java-Yogyakarta in line with the development of the cyclonic 90S, he remarked.

"What is clear is that due to the presence of these cyclone seeds, the wind speed will increase. It is possible that the wave height will increase. We will continue to monitor the development of the cyclone seeds. If there are further developments, we will immediately inform the public," he added. (Antaranews)

Head of Behavior Change for the COVID-19 Handling Task Force Sonny Harry Harmadi has reminded the public that the COVID-19 pandemic is not over yet.

The government will continue to control the spread of the virus despite the declining trend in positive cases in Indonesia. This is in line with the precautionary measures against a potential third wave.

"The pandemic is not over. Right now, several countries are experiencing a fourth or even a fifth wave as indicated by a drastic increase in daily cases. This proves that the pandemic is far from over in the world," he stated during an online discussion on Monday.

Moreover, the task force head hinted at the likelihood of Indonesia experiencing an increase in the number of positive cases of COVID-19. The long holidays, such as Eid al-Fitr as well as Christmas and New Year holidays, are major challenges for the government in controlling the spread of the virus.

For instance, after the 2020 Christmas and New Year holidays, the number of COVID-19 cases had increased by 37-78 percent. However, after the Eid-al Fitr holiday in 2021, the spike in cases was drastic, at around 104-473 percent.

"We learn that after the long holiday, the number of cases can potentially spike, as the community mobility increases," he noted.

The government had taken precautionary measures to prevent the surfacing of the third wave by prohibiting state civil apparatus (ASN), members of Indonesia Defense Forces (TNI), National Police (Polri), State-Owned Enterprises employees, and private company employees from taking collective leaves during the year-end holidays.

The government had also removed the collective leave on December 24, 2021.

Harmadi affirmed that the government had regulated restrictions on community mobility, tightened health protocols at all public facilities, and supervised the implementation of control policies down to the community level.

In addition, the government will continue to improve testing and tracing as well as intensify vaccinations.

"If testing is lowered, the vaccination coverage is slowed down, or health protocols are weakened, then it could cause a spike in cases," he explained.

Harmadi pressed for the community's participation for the implementation of strict health protocols. The community must also be cooperative in implementing testing, tracing, and vaccination programs.

As of November 21, 2021, as many as 134,418,286 people had received the first dose of vaccination, while 89,220,341 people were administered the second dose of the vaccine. The third dose of vaccine was given to 1,203,846 health workers.

The government is targeting to vaccinate 208,265,720 people to achieve herd immunity in the country.

Meanwhile, the number of daily confirmed cases on November 21 reached 314, a 99.46-percent decrease, from the peak of 56,757 daily cases on July 15. Active cases as of November 21 were recorded at 8,126, a 98.59-percent decrease from its peak of 574,135 active cases on July 24. (Antaranews)

Coordinating Maritime Affairs and Investment Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan confirmed that the government will make improvements to the Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit for the upcoming MotoGP event in March 2022.

Pandjaitan made the statement while attending the last series of the 2021 Superbike World Championship (WSBK) held on November 19-21 at the Mandalika Circuit, Central Lombok District, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB).

"The Mandalika Circuit is a world-class standard circuit. We will improve some aspects of this circuit. Earlier, the NTB governor and transportation minister had agreed to make improvements to some parts of the circuit. It will be completed in March according to the MotoGP schedule in the Mandalika Circuit," he noted in a press statement received here, Monday.

The minister remarked that the 2021 WSBK had a significant economic effect on the people in NTB. The WSBK was causal to an increase in occupancy at hotels and other accommodations.

"The governor has reported there were no empty hotels and homestays, and the prices had in fact tripled. Car rentals have also increased. NTB's economy has bounced back," Pandjaitan remarked.

The Ministry of Transportation also supported the 2021 WSBK event in Mandalika. The ministry had readied traffic engineering management to support the mobility of people and vehicles during the event to run safely while still prioritizing health protocols.

"We have provided a shuttle bus at several points near the venue for the official teams and spectators as well. The shuttle bus was used to replace private vehicles in the surrounding area to avoid overcrowding," Transportation Ministry's spokesperson, Adita Irawati, explained.

Several transportation facilities were also readied to facilitate connectivity to and from Mandalika, specifically the provision of mass bus transportation to connect Mandalika with Lombok Airport, and several ports, such as Gilimas, Kayangan, Bangka, and Mataram, through the Buy The Service (BTS) scheme.

The government has also readied fast boats to facilitate connectivity between Lombok and its surrounding areas, such as Padang Bai, Lembar, Sumbawa, and Bali.

The Transportation Ministry had additionally improved facilities at the Zainuddin Abdul Majid International Airport, developed the Gilimas Seaport, provided operational subsidies for intermodal transportation to and from Mandalika, developed the construction of supporting facilities for intermodal integration, continued the construction of road equipment facilities, and improved service for ferry transportation to and from Lombok Island.

On the other hand, the Ministry of Health also supports and facilitates medical technical supervision, including the implementation of health protocols, provision of medical services, health workers' preparation, and hospital facilities and management of food and medical waste for the 2021 WSBK.

The bubble system is implemented during the event to minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission wherein all participants entering the Mandalika Special Economy Zone (SEZ) must scan a QR code using the PeduliLindungi application.

In addition to ensuring safety for all participants and 25 percent of the audience capacity, the bubble system is used for easier tracing if a confirmed case of COVID-19 is found.

Director General of Health Services from the Ministry of Health, Professor Abdul Kadir, noted that his side had ensured provision of all medical necessities during the event with the implementation of strict health protocols.

"We have prepared a health team from the Central Lombok Health Service as well as hospitals, isolation and quarantine places, as well as examination labs. We have prepared procedures for patients confirmed positive and for mitigation in case of overcrowding," he explained. (Antaranews)