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PLN Gradually Recovers Electricity Supply (0)
State-owned electricity firm PT PLN has recovered electric power to Balaraja Extra High Voltage substation in Banten Province, and furthermore it will be channeled to Suralaya steam-fueled power plant (PLTU) to gradually recover its operation to reach its capacity of 2800 MW of electricity.
In addition, power supply from Gandul Extra High Voltage substations in Depok, West Java Province, will be channeled to Muara Karang gas and steam power plant (PLTGU) to supply electricity to the Indonesian capital city, Jakarta.
Acting President Director of PLN Sripeni Inten Cahyani said here on Sunday that the power supply to Jakarta was expected to recover within three hours.
"We apologize for the inconvenience today, and currently all efforts have been made to recover the Java-Bali power system, especially in the area of West Java, Banten, and Jakarta," Cahyani said.
The company has focused on power supply to PLTGU Muara Karang and PLTGU Priok to recover the system in the capital city.
Previously, PLN has recovered the operation of hydro-generated power plant (PLTA) Saguling and PLTA Cirata which are functioned as power stabilizer, and, at the same time, supply the electricity to PLTU Suralaya through Cibinong, Depok, Gandul, Lengkok, Balaraja and Suralaya extra high voltage substations.
PLTU Suralaya is expected to return to its normal operation within six hours to normalize power system in West Java and Banten.
Blackout that affected thousands of homes and public facilities in West Java, Jakarta, and Banten was caused by several troubles in the extra high voltage 500 kV transmission of Ungaran - Pemalang.
"PLN has taken its best efforts and will have evaluation to prevent recurrence of today's incident," Cahyani said.
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December
IK-CEPA a boost for Indonesia, S Korea relations: deputy minister
Written by Nur Yasmin
The Indonesia-Korea Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IK-CEPA) will further strengthen relations between the two countries, Deputy Minister of Trade, Jerry Sambuaga, said in a statement received here on Wednesday.
"With the agreement, the two countries have agreed to bring their relationship to a higher level in the industry, infrastructure, employment, economy, and trade sectors," he remarked while providing information on the agreement at a hybrid event in Surabaya city, East Java province.
According to Sambuaga, IK-CEPA provides a comprehensive institutional framework for bilateral cooperation, thus the agreement will provide new opportunities for economic growth, trade, and investment for the two countries.
Furthermore, through the agreement, both Indonesia and South Korea have committed to opening additional markets, besides the ones included in ASEAN-Korea Free Trade Area (AKFTA), he noted.
The commitment provides wider and preferential access to the South Korean market both for large companies as well as small and medium enterprises (SMEs), he said.
Regarding investment, both countries are committed to providing more opportunities for South Korean investment in Indonesia which can encourage employment, he said.
Meanwhile, Indonesia will provide additional preferences for 104 raw material tariff posts for South Korea, the deputy minister said.
Both parties are also committed to cooperation in agricultural, fisheries, forestry, technology and innovation, culture, and creative activities, and SMEs sectors, he informed.
"Through the cooperation, Indonesia can request technical assistance, experience sharing, and training to improve our human resources quality," he said.
Meanwhile, member of Commission VI of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Nasim Khan, said he expected IK-CEPA to become a milestone to strengthen mutually beneficial relations between the two countries.
It is also hoped that the agreement will be able to have a real impact on the welfare of the Indonesian people amid the COVID-19 pandemic, he added.
"Commission VI of DPR RI will continue to monitor the agreement, thus it can benefit the community since all government’s attempts must bring prosperity to the people," the house member remarked. (Antaranews)
December
Indonesia receives 1.5 million Moderna vaccines from US
Written by Nur Yasmin
Indonesia received an additional 1.5 million doses of the Moderna vaccine from the United States government on Tuesday as part of the 148th vaccine consignment.
"Today, Indonesia once again received vaccine donation from the United States government through the COVAX facility," the Ministry of Health's vaccination spokesperson Siti Nadia Tarmizi informed in a written statement issued here on Tuesday.
The United States government has provided vaccine donations to Indonesia several times, she noted.
According to Tarmizi, the two countries are closely cooperating with one another, including in pandemic handling, and are working on improving their relations.
"For this arrival, the Indonesian government expresses its gratitude to the United States government," she remarked.
Securing vaccine stocks is crucial for Indonesia so that quick distribution can be carried out, she added.
Vaccine equity has become important for Indonesia to be better protected from the threat of COVID-19 that continues to persist to this day, she said.
Domestically, the vaccination effort continues to be expanded, Tarmizi informed.
"Currently, the government is trying to increase vaccinations in the outer and remote regions, reaching which presents its own challenges," she elaborated.
The increasing COVID-19 infections in a number of countries should prompt all parties to become more disciplined in protecting themselves by getting vaccinated and following the health protocols, she said.
"The people's obedience in implementing the health protocols and vaccinations has become the key to controlling the pandemic," she affirmed.
Earlier on Sunday, Indonesia had received 1.9 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccines through a direct purchase agreement, director-general of information and public communication at the Communications and Informatics Ministry, Usman Kansong, said.
"With the arrival of the 147th stage amounting to 1,932 thousand doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, the total number of vaccine doses that Indonesia has received, both in finished and bulk form (raw materials), has reached 395,544,580," Kansong informed in a press release issued here on Monday. (Antaranews)
December
Indonesia underscores need for global partnership to overcome pandemic
Written by Nur Yasmin
Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi emphasized the need for global partnerships to bolster the capacity of developing nations in order to bring the pandemic to an end.
Marsudi also stressed the importance of achieving the vaccination target of 40 percent of each country's population by the end of 2021 set by the World Health Organization (WHO).
She made this statement during a virtual USAID development ministerial meeting on COVID-19 initiated by the United States and led by USAID Administrator Samantha Power, held on Monday night (Dec 6).
“Currently, the global vaccination gap is still wide, with low-income countries receiving only 0.6 percent of all available vaccines. As many as 96 countries have not yet met the WHO target of vaccinating 40 percent of their population by the end of 2021 despite only a few weeks being left," Marsudi noted in a statement, Tuesday.
During the meeting, Marsudi highlighted two efforts to respond to the issue, specifically in the short term, related to equitable access to vaccines, and in the long term, building a stronger health resilience.
In the short term, the minister remarked that the main focus was how all countries can intensify cooperation to meet the WHO targets.
This can be achieved through accelerating global access to vaccines, including by sharing doses.
“The doses given must have a long expiry date, and there should be a clear distribution timeline. Not much information is available about the Omicron variant. The policies of countries in the future should not further complicate efforts to achieve vaccine equality," Marsudi stated.
Second, strengthening the absorption capacity in recipient countries on account of the fact that several nations do not have adequate resources and infrastructure to distribute vaccines to their population.
In this case, she shared Indonesia's experiences in distributing vaccines to all Indonesian islands.
Meanwhile, for the long term, Foreign Minister Marsudi emphasized the importance of strengthening the involvement of developing countries in the global vaccine supply chain.
This can be achieved by diversifying global vaccine manufacturing, establishing regional vaccine production and distribution centers, facilitating technology transfer, and increasing access to vaccine raw materials.
The USAID meeting on COVID-19 was attended by some 20 ministers and nine representatives of international organizations from various countries, including the Director General of WHO and CEO of GAVI, the President of the World Bank, and the Director General of UNICEF. (Antaranews)
December
RI-Malaysia discussions prioritize MoU on migrant workers' protection
Written by Nur Yasmin
The Indonesian government has continued discussions centering on a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Malaysia regarding the employment and protection of Indonesian migrant workers (PMI).
After meeting Malaysian Minister of Human Resources Saravanan Murugan at the Manpower Ministry's Office here on Tuesday, Manpower Minister Ida Fauziyah confirmed that the technical team from both countries will resume the discussion on the MoU in Jakarta, December 14, 2021.
"The negotiation process of the MoU on the employment and protection of Indonesian domestic workers is a commitment of both countries in protecting Indonesian migrants' rights and welfare, especially in the domestic sector," Fauziyah explained.
According to the minister, the placement of Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia will be conducted after the MoU discussion is completed.
"We agree to complete the MoU first and then we will open the PMI employment in Malaysia," she remarked.
She pointed out that the step to complete the MoU first before opening the job placement aligns with the directive of President Joko Widodo and Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
Fauziyah noted that Indonesia and Malaysia had agreed on the implementation of a one-channel system for PMI employment in Malaysia.
The application of the one-channel system that integrates all employment processes, starting from recruitment, preparation, departure, and placement to repatriation aims to reduce the recruitment costs as well as to ease both nations' surveillance of the process.
In addition, the one-channel system is expected to thwart the entry of PMI into Malaysia that are not based on the procedure.
At the meeting, both ministers reached an agreement that PMI can work for a maximum of six family members. Moreover, the job placement for babysitters and caretakers will be regulated specifically, including the level of competency and salary. (Antaranews)
December
PPKM to be extended outside Java-Bali from December 7-23
Written by Nur Yasmin
The government has decided to extend community activity restrictions Levels 1-3 outside Java-Bali regions from December 7 to December 23, 2021.
"Outside Java-Bali regions, in particular, there will be an extension of community activity restrictions from December 7 to December 23, 2021," Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said at a press conference at the Presidential Office, Jakarta, on Monday.
Level 1 PPKM will be implemented in 129 districts and cities, he informed. This is an increase compared to the previous period, when the restriction level covered 51 districts and cities, he said.
Meanwhile, Level 2 PPKM will be implemented in 193 districts and cities compared to 175 districts and cities earlier, and Level 3 PPKM will be applied in 64 districts and cities compared to 160 earlier.
"And as for Level 4, there's zero districts and cities (applying it)," he reported.
Although the national vaccination rate for the first dose has reached 68.42 percent and the second dose 47.55 percent, there are still some areas outside Java-Bali regions where the vaccination rate is low or less than 50 percent, Hartarto noted.
There are at least nine provinces outside Java-Bali region where the vaccination rate is less than 50 percent, he said. They are West Sulawesi, South Sulawesi, North Maluku, Central Sulawesi, West Papua, Maluku, Southeast Sulawesi, Aceh, and Papua, he added.
Based on the assessment in the last few weeks, the COVID-19 pandemic situation in Indonesia has shown continuous improvement, he said.
The national active cases of COVID-19 on December 5, 2021, reached 7,526 or 0.18 percent, he informed. This figure was below the global average of 7.91 percent, Hartarto said. (Antaranews)
December
Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, has said that the G20 Sherpas' Meeting will begin on Tuesday with representatives from 21 nations participating physically, 14 nations virtually, and three nations in a hybrid format.
During a press conference at the Presidential Office here on Monday, he informed that the government will carry out antigen tests on all G20 meeting members every day to prevent the risk of infection.
The government will also implement the bubble health protocol or mobility restriction for Sherpa meetings members and committee in order to prevent contact to and from the outside, he said.
The PeduliLindungi application, used by the government to conduct COVID-19 tracking and tracing, will also be utilized for the meeting, he said.
In addition to the Sherpa Track, the G20 Financial Track meetings will also be carried out in Bali, Hartarto informed.
The G20 has split the meetings leading up to the summit into two tracks: the Financial Track and the Sherpa Track.
The Financial Track will exclusively discuss issues concerning the financial sector and will be participated by the Minister of Finance, Governor of the Central Bank, and all G20 members, Hartarto said.
Meanwhile, the Sherpa Track will discuss agendas outside of the financial sector as well as prepare various documents that will be discussed during the summit, he added.
To this end, the Sherpa chairman will directly be appointed by the head of the government or state and will be its representative during G20 meetings beyond the summit, he informed.
G20 is a global forum that comprises 19 nations and the European Union (EU). The members of the G20 account for 60 percent of the global population, 80 percent of the global GDP (gross domestic product), and 75 percent of the world's exports.
Indonesia will hold the G20 Presidency till November 30, 2022. It took over the mantle from Italy. (Antaranews)
December
Indonesia, New Zealand ink MoU on eradicating transnational crimes
Written by Nur Yasmin
Indonesia and New Zealand have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to prevent and eradicate transnational crimes as well as to bolster the capacity of police personnel in both nations.
The inking of the pact was done in the online and offline (hybrid) format at the National Police Headquarters, South Jakarta, on Monday.
"Today, we are meeting for this signing to prevent and eliminate transnational crimes and enhance (the police) capacity," National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo remarked in his welcome.
Prabowo explained that the bilateral cooperation was forged in response to fluctuating developments in the strategic environment that had shaken stability and security.
He pointed to the trend of some modes of crimes that kept surfacing and developing along with technological developments.
He deemed the cooperation between both nations as crucial since crimes had breached the borders between countries.
Prabowo believes this cooperation would focus on counterterrorism, illegal drugs trade, smuggling, economic crimes, money laundering, cybercrimes, and other transnational crimes.
Prabowo also believed that optimal actions to counter crimes can help to boost the economy.
"We are optimistic that the National Police and New Zealand Police would be able to work closer," he added.
Effective collaboration increases security and stability between both nations, thereby supporting economic growth and social welfare, he stated.
Cooperation between the police of both nations was forged since 2011. It includes eight bilateral working groups in the form of comparative studies, master's degree scholarship, and short courses. Moreover, there are 19 related activities on crime information exchange, five forms of law enforcement in the regional military operation, deportation, and investigation.
Meanwhile, New Zealand Police Commissioner Andrew Coster lauded the National Police for the endeavors to overcome these transnational crimes.
Coster expressed delight over the MoU being inked in order to set the focus on countering recent common crimes. (Antaranews)
December
Indonesia among five countries to have successfully handled pandemic
Written by nuke
Screenshot of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) during his statement at the Congress for Alumni Association of the Indonesian National Student Movement at the State Palace on Monday, December 6, 2021. (ANTARA/Indra Arief/rst) -
Indonesia ranked among five countries worldwide to have successfully handled the COVID-19 pandemic at level 1 through hard work and mutual cooperation among all parties, according to President Joko Widodo (Jokowi).
"We became one of the five countries in the world to have succeeded in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic at level 1. This proved our nation's ability to face challenges," he remarked at the Congress for Alumni Association of the Indonesian National Student Movement at the State Palace on Monday.
President Jokowi affirmed that Indonesia's success in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated its ability to turn difficult challenges into opportunities in order to forge ahead.
Indonesia has also been exceedingly thorough and careful in its approach while issuing policies to control the COVID-19 pandemic and simultaneously restore the community's economy, he noted.
"When the world is under lockdown, we are carefully controlling the pandemic while still moving the economy carefully," Jokowi remarked.
The president later noted that the COVID-19 pandemic had posed challenges and disruptions that had compelled Indonesia and the world to implement new development methods and acclimatize to the new normal.
"We must make the most of this disruption as an opportunity. When the world stops for a moment, we must keep moving forward," he remarked.
According to the latest data from the COVID-19 Task Force, the trend for additional cases of COVID-19 has been apparent from the hundreds of cases in recent weeks, or a significant decline as compared to the addition of tens of thousands of cases at the peak of the second wave in July 2021.
As of December 5, some 196 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported throughout Indonesia, thereby bringing the total count of confirmed cases of COVID-19 since March 2020 to date to 4,257,685.
Meanwhile, the Health Ministry's data as of December 5 showed that over 142 million Indonesians had received the first dose of vaccination, or 68.42 percent, and 99 million people had been fully vaccinated, or 47.55 percent//ANT
December
Social welfare gap remains serious problem in Indonesia : Amin
Written by nuke
Vice President Ma'ruf Amin speaks in the closing ceremony of a meeting of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), Bali, Dec 4, 2021. ANTARA/HO-Setwapres -
Vice President Ma'ruf Amin has said that the social welfare gap in various regions remains a serious problem that must be resolved in Indonesia.
Based on the data of the National Socio-Economic Survey conducted by the Statistics Indonesia (BPS) in 2019, only 21.9 percent of the Indonesian population enjoyed economic prosperity, Amin said.
"In fact, economic prosperity in Indonesia is only enjoyed by no more than 21.9 percent of the top tier population. This means that inequality remains a serious problem in Indonesia," he remarked in a statement here on Sunday.
Based on the 2019 BPS data, 9.4 percent of the Indonesian population is categorized as poor, 20.6 percent as vulnerable people, 48.2 percent as transitional toward middle class, 21.5 percent as middle class, and only 0.5 percent as high incomes.
To lift people out of poverty, more people should be involved in business activities, he said.
Meanwhile, the 2021 data of the Ministry of Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises showed that as many as 64 million residents are engaged in business activities, including 98.6 percent engaged in micro businesses, 1.2 percent in small businesses, 0.09 percent in medium scale businesses, and 0.01 percent in major businesses.
"This means that serious steps are needed to be taken to increase the number of people engaged in medium and large scale businesses," he added.
The Vice President said those data showed that redistribution of people's welfare remains a homework that must be done by various parties.
"It shows that the redistribution of welfare is a crucial homework for this nation, in order to make social justice a reality, and not just written in the state principle and the constitution," Ma'ruf Amin remarked//ANT
December
Omicron variant: Indonesia updates international air travel regulation
Written by Nur Yasmin
The Transportation Ministry has updated the international travel regulation to prevent the entry of the B.1.1.529 or Omicron variant into Indonesia and to suppress the likelihood of a third wave in the country.
The new regulation is stipulated in Circular Letter No. 106 of 2021 on guidelines on International Travel through air transportation during the COVID-19 pandemic, Air Transportation Director General Novie Riyanto remarked.
"We have to prevent the third wave. In the country, we have imposed the public activities restrictions (PPKM) for Christmas and New Year while we are averting the Omicron variant from emerging in Indonesia," Riyanto noted at the press conference "Handling the Country's Entrance and Exit Through International Air Travel" here on Saturday.
Riyanto explained that the new regulation changed the duration of mandatory quarantine for travelers coming from outside Indonesia, from a week to 10 days, except for 11 countries where the Omicron variant had been detected, including those geographically located near the transmitting countries.
Indonesia has banned entry for foreign travelers both coming and transiting from/at these 11 countries: South Africa, Botswana, Hong Kong (China), Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Eswatini, and Lesotho.
Moreover, the regulation altered the requirement of PCR test for foreign airline personnel, earlier from 7x24 hours to 3x24 hours, and added a mandatory PCR test during their arrival.
"Foreign airline pilots, flight attendants, and all technicians will fall under the same (policy). The regulation is valid from December 3, 2021," he expounded.
Riyanto said the Indonesian government had acknowledged that the COVID-19 Omicron variant had spread to over 11 countries and also to Malaysia and Singapore.
He expressed optimism that the government's efforts would help to prevent the variant from entering Indonesia.
Moreover, he appealed to all stakeholders and airport operators to diligently implement the regulations.
"We increase awareness by tightening the rules. I have urged the airport to review the existing SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) and be as consistent and compliant as possible," he concluded. (Antaranews)