Livestream
Special Interview
Video Streaming
Program Highlight (3001)
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.
more news
November
RI refuses entry to travelers from 11 countries over Omicrom variant
Written by Nur Yasmin
The Indonesian Government has decided to refuse entry to international travellers from 10 African countries and Hong Kong (China) as precautionary measures against the importation of new COVID-19 variant named Omicron (B.1.1.529).
The 10 African countries are South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Leshoto, Mozambique, Eswatini, Malawi, Angola, and Zambia.
“This policy will be valid soon in 24 hours,” Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment .Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said in an online press conference Jakarta on Sunday.
The number of countries may decrease or increase based on the results of the government’s periodic evaluation, he said.
“We will look at it in 14 days’ time. But we will keep evaluating it everyday. Because of that, once again I should like to inform whether this new variant, as experts suggested, is as deadly as other variants or is more severe than Delta variant. This is a big question mark. So we will not hurry,” he said.
Luhut said the government had held a meeting in response to the Omicron variant of COVID-19. Although the new variant is spreading in Africa, 13 countries announced that they have detected confirmed and probable cases of Omicron variant in their countries.
The Omicron variant has been detected in Germany, Belgium, Britain, Israel, Australia, and Hong Kong.
“Looking at the distribution (of the new variant) in those countries, we cannot rule out the possibility that the Omicron variant has spread to many other countries,” he said.
Moreover, the new variant is claimed to have five mutations that may affect the transmission speed and the capability of virus to avoid antibody formed by vaccine or antibody produced naturally due to infection caused by the previous variant of COVID-19. (Antaranews)
November
Indonesia, Britain agree to renew MoU on defense cooperation
Written by nuke
The third Indonesia-Britain Joint Defense Cooperation Dialogue was held at the British Ministry of Defense on Wednesday (November 24, 2021), (ANTARA/HO-KBRI London) -
Indonesia and Britain have agreed to renew a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on defense cooperation that was inked in 2012.
The two countries reached the agreement at the third Indonesia-Britain Joint Defense Cooperation Dialogue held at the British Ministry of Defense, the Indonesian Embassy in London informed in a statement released on Saturday.
“Indonesia-Britain defense relations have a strategic value for Indonesia, particularly to strengthen the capacity of defense human resources and advance the defense industry,” the Indonesian Ambassador to Britain, Desra Percaya, told the Indonesian delegation during the meeting.
Director general of defense strategy at the Defense Ministry, Major General Rodon Pedrason, led the Indonesian delegation, which comprised representatives from the Defense Ministry, the Foreign Ministry, and the National Defense Forces (TNI).
Meanwhile, the British delegation was led by Air Vice Marshall Alastair Smith, Assistant Chief of Defense Staff on Military Strategy and Global Engagement.
JDCD is a bilateral dialogue in the defense field that the two countries initiated in June 2019, coinciding with the commemoration of 70 years of Indonesia-Britain bilateral relations.
The two countries host the dialogue in rotation. In 2021, the dialogue was held in Britain.
This year, the dialogue covered several areas of defense cooperation such as the political and security situation in the Indo-Pacific region, capacity building, and the defense industry, the Indonesian Embassy informed.
In addition, the third JDCD also evaluated the implementation of the outcome of the second JDCD as well as future concrete programs that the two countries have agreed upon, it said.
The defense cooperation between the two countries has been deemed comprehensive and included humanitarian aid and disaster mitigation in the wake of a powerful earthquake and tsunami that devastated Central Sulawesi capital Palu in 2018, it noted.
The cooperation also covers military education and transfer of technology in the defense industry, the embassy said.
Britain has expressed an interest in strengthening its presence in the rest of the world following its exit from the European Union. The British interest is contained in the Global Britain vision, the embassy noted.
Specifically, Britain has described the Indo-Pacific region as one of the strategic areas for developing cooperation//ANT
November
President inks decree determining Indonesia's membership of ACMM
Written by nuke
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has signed Presidential Decree No. 19 of 2021 concerning the Determination of Indonesian Membership at the ASEAN Center of Military Medicine (ACMM). (ANTARA PHOTO/HO/Presidential Secretariat's Press Bureau/Lukas/aww/KT) -
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has signed the Presidential Decree No. 19 of 2021 confirming Indonesia's Membership at the ASEAN Center of Military Medicine (ACMM).
There were four considerations for the issuance of the Presidential Decree, as stated in its digital copy uploaded on the State Secretariat Ministry's documentation and legal information webpage jdih.setneg.go.id on Friday.
The first consideration was that Indonesia routinely and actively sends its military personnel including medical personnel to international missions as one of the National Defense Forces (TNI)'s main tasks in military operation other than war.
Second, on May 25, 2016, in Vientiane, Laos, Indonesia and other ASEAN member states signed the Joint Declaration of the ASEAN Defence Ministers on Promoting Defence Cooperation for a Dynamic ASEAN Community, which adopted the terms of reference of the ASEAN Center of Military Medicine, it said.
The third consideration was that Indonesia wants to increase its active role in international cooperation in the military medicine field with other ASEAN member states and between ASEAN member states and Plus countries. Indonesia deems it necessary to be a member of the ASEAN Center of Military Medicine.
The fourth was based on the previous three considerations, thus, the President decided to issue a decree regarding the Determination of Indonesia's Membership at ACMM, the ministry said.
The Presidential decree determines Indonesia's membership, rights, and obligations as per the prevailing rules of ACMM and the provisions of law, it added.
All costs that are subject to Indonesia's determination as an ACMM member will be borne by the state budget (APBN) and other legitimate and non-binding sources that follow legal provisions.
The Presidential Decree No. 19 of 2021 was signed in Jakarta on November 9, 2021.
The ASEAN Center of Military Medicine has a mission to establish practical, effective, and sustainable cooperation in military medical services for ASEAN Plus countries, both in normal and crisis situations, according to its official website//ANT
November
Soleman: Being 'Vice President of ABU' Puts RRI In Strategic Position
Written by Nur Yasmin
Program and Production Director of the Indonesian Radio Public Broadcasting Institute (LPP RRI) Soleman Yusuf was elected as Vice President of the Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) for the period 2021-2024, in a virtual election, Thursday.
Soleman said that the Vice President is a very important position for RRI in the future. For that, as Vice President, he must provide support to the President of ABU, especially in the election program for the Secretary-General.
"To our beloved institution RRI and to our beloved community. First I would like to thank all the members in the meeting who trusted RRI through me being the Vice President of ABU. I think this is a strategic position for RRI to take part in broadcasting in Indonesia and the Asia Pacific," said Soleman in a talk on Pro3 RRI, Thursday (25/11/2021) night.
According to Soleman, RRI had long experience collaborating with ABU since 2006.
"We have also been the host, we have given ideas that have been implemented by ABU. We have made joint productions, such as a song by singers from ABU members in connection with the Covid-19 Pandemic. We have also produced radio plays," he said.
Soleman said, ABU is an organization that has a long experience, has professional people, and has strict rules. Soleman added that ABU is a fairly large organization, with nearly 70 countries and nearly 100 members, which will certainly make a major contribution to the development of RRI in the future.
"As in managing radio, we give ideas on how radio can answer the challenges of the digital age. The exchange of experiences is very important for RRI's progress going forward. In the next three years, by occupying this position, it will be easier for us to convey ideas that will be managed by RRI members. We will be known more. We will provide opportunities for RRI's human resources to increase capacity in the broadcasting field. With so many, we exchange ideas, firstly, improve the standard of our program. Second, we can get more information from internationally," he concluded.
Soleman was elected by full acclamation by ABU participants such as RTM, TVRI, NHK, ABC Australia, and leaders of other Asia Pacific Broadcasting Institutions. (VOI)
November
Indonesia ships agri-products worth Rp586.7 billion to 26 countries
Written by Nur Yasmin
Agriculture Minister Syahrul Yasin Limpo has released shipments of 13.19 thousand tons of agricultural products worth Rp586.7 billion (US$41 million) to 26 countries.
The destination countries include the United States, Britain, Poland, Japan, South Korea, China, Thailand, and Latvia, he informed.
"This export is a concrete step in following President Jokowi's (Joko Widodo's) instructions," he said at the Jakarta International Container Terminal Office (JICT) Tanjung Priok, Jakarta, on Thursday.
He informed that at the time agricultural exports were released on August 17, 2021, the export rate had increased slightly by Rp7.2 trillion (almost US$504 million) in just 7 days in 341 districts and cities.
The increase illustrated that there are many products that can be used as export commodities, such as ants, larvae, and maggots, the minister said.
One example were the black and red Papuan ant nests that were exported to South Korea, he added.
"If imports represent a shortage, (then) our exports have done something for the country," he remarked.
It is expected that agricultural stakeholders will join in the effort to boost exports, Limpo said. President Jokowi has urged each region to export agricultural commodities, he noted.
As many as 26 types of commodities are currently being exported, including coconut water, round coconut, areca nut, dried larvae, pet food, and pepper, he said.
Limpo also presented health and phytosanitary certificates to the representative of Premix exporter PT Jati Perkasa Nusantara, coconut water exporter PT. Pacific Eastern Coconut Utama, and areca nut exporter PT. Patel Trading.
From January to October 2021, the value of agricultural exports reached Rp518.85 trillion (US$36 billion), an increase of 47.30 percent compared to the same period of 2020, when exports were recorded at Rp352.09 trillion (almost US$25 billion), the minister noted.
He also stressed the importance of agricultural quarantine, which is considered a necessary precaution for a large country with many islands like Indonesia.
He elaborated that inspections by laboratories, examinations of samples, and innovations regarding commodities of interest are important.
"Don't think that quarantine is just a precaution, what is being guarded is microbes, animal and plant diseases that can spread to our agricultural commodities. Quarantine is very important so as not to spread disease. No one enters our country without supervision," the minister remarked. (Antaranews)
November
Indonesia clocks US$1.13-billion trade surplus with Switzerland
Written by Nur Yasmin
Indonesia’s trade surplus with Switzerland was recorded at US$1.13 billion during the January-September 2021 period, according to the Indonesian Embassy in Bern.
During that time, Indonesia’s exports to Switzerland had reached $1.14 billion, while its imports from the European country stood at $273.89 million, the embassy noted in a statement released on Thursday.
According to the Swiss Federal Customs Administration (FCA), Indonesia’s exports to Switzerland in the third quarter of 2021 had reached $432 million, while its imports from Switzerland were valued at $86.94 million.
In comparison with the previous quarter, exports had declined from $711.94 million, while imports fell from $90.88 million.
Indonesia’s exports to Switzerland mainly comprised precious metal, jewelry, footwear, non-knitted and knitted fabric, electronic appliances, household utensils, coffee, turbine machine, spare parts, essential oil, and organic chemicals.
The embassy was optimistic that bilateral trade between both nations would continue to increase in favor of Indonesia along with the robust Swiss economy in 2021.
The Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) forecast the Swiss economy to grow 3.2 percent in 2021 and further expand to 3.6 percent in 2022.
However, the KOF Economic Institute (ETH Zurich) has forecast the Swiss economy to fully recover only in 2023. (Antaranews)
November
Govt's green industrial park extension reaches 30,000 ha: Jokowi
Written by Nur Yasmin
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) revealed that the green industrial park in North Kalimantan will be expanded to 30 thousand hectares, from the original plan of 13 thousand hectares.
He expounded that the decision to expand the green industrial zone is based on the rising demand for green products or environment-friendly goods.
"We obtained more information yesterday. Due to the rising demand to produce more green products, we will broaden (the green industrial park) to reach 30 thousand hectares," President Jokowi remarked at the Bank Indonesia Annual Meeting here on Wednesday.
He noted that the green industrial park, located in North Kalimantan, will perhaps become the largest in the world. Its construction will begin in December 2021.
He called to immediately apply the strategy of environment-friendly economic development or green economy.
President Jokowi opined that the outlook of the world economy will rely heavily on green economic activities that prioritize sustainable growth.
Indonesia has abundant green economic wealth, such as energy from water (hydropower), geothermal energy, and wind energy resources, as well as from underwater currents and solar power, he stated.
Jokowi highlighted that the country had 4,400 rivers as hydropower resources. Thus, in the near future, the government will focus on energy production from water resources starting from the Kayan River in North Kalimantan and Mamberamo River in Papua.
"The Kayan River can yield about 13 thousand MW, while Mamberamo can approximately generate 24 thousand MW. Only two rivers can produce a total of 37 thousand MW. (Imagine how much) 4,400 rivers can result in the green economy," he expounded.
If accumulated, Indonesia's energy wealth, classified as renewable energy (EBT), will amount to 418 GW, he pointed out.
"If we manage the energy potential from geothermal, wind, underwater currents, and solar cells through consistency and courage, then we can make a breakthrough, and (energy) can be our economic strength going forward," the president expounded. (Antaranews)
November
Indonesia, FAO urge prudent use of antimicrobials in farming
Written by Nur Yasmin
Indonesia and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations have called for the prudent use of antimicrobials in farming in order to prevent a "silent pandemic".
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the biggest threats to global health, food safety and security, plants and animal production, and global economic development, said FAO Indonesia in a written statement received here on Wednesday.
According to FAO, around 700 thousand human deaths each year are related to AMR. Therefore, the global health issue of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a "silent pandemic" affecting animal and human health, it said.
Without action, by 2050, the global economy may lose more than US$6 trillion annually because of AMR -- nearly 4 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP), FAO pointed out.
In just ten years, 24 million more people may be forced into extreme poverty due to AMR -- many in low-income countries -- increasing the number of people hungry or suffering from malnutrition, it said.
Such a phenomenon, FAO said, could pose another challenge to achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs), in particular goal No. 2.
The FAO made the observations at the peak of the World Antibiotic Awareness Week campaign, held in Nusa Dua Bali since November 18, 2021 and all over the world.
AMR is rising to dangerously high levels in all parts of the world and threatening our ability to treat common infectious diseases, FAO said.
Infections affecting people -- including pneumonia, tuberculosis, blood poisoning, and gonorrhea -- and animals alike are becoming harder, and sometimes impossible, to treat as antibiotics are becoming less effective, it added.
In agriculture, it is causing production losses, damage to livelihoods, and jeopardizing food security, it said.
Moreover, AMR can spread among different hosts and the environment, and antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms can contaminate the food chain, it pointed out.
"For the agricultural, livestock, and animal health sectors, AMR poses a serious threat to the sustainability of food security and the sustainable development of animal health," Indonesian Minister of Agriculture, Syahrul Yasin Limpo, said.
"The agricultural sector will find it difficult to withstand a threat of this magnitude. We are committed to working with various stakeholders to increase the capacity of the agricultural sector to manage AMR and build resilience to the impacts of AMR," Limpo added.
Antimicrobials play a critical role in treating diseases of food-producing animals (aquatic and terrestrial) and plants, helping to ensure food security, he noted. Those medicines are used to treat animals that are already sick or to control the spread of a disease within a flock, herd, or on a farm, he said.
However, AMR in food and agriculture poses risks to food systems, livelihoods, and economies, he pointed out. Besides their direct negative impact on animals, animal diseases can also significantly affect food production, food security, and farmer livelihoods, he said. AMR increases those risks, he added.
"The use of antimicrobials in agriculture contributes to the spread of AMR and undermines the effectiveness of veterinary medicines. Making sure these treatments remain effective and available to the agriculture sector is critical," FAO Representative in Indonesia and Timor Leste, Rajendra Aryal, said. (Antaranews)
November
France to Disburse 520m Euros to Accelerate Green Energy Transition in Indonesia
Written by Nur Yasmin
The signing of the Letter of Intent (LoI) between France and Indonesia regarding Cooperation to Accelerate the Energy Transition in Indonesia was carried out to enhance partnerships and implement various strategic programs in the energy sector in Indonesia.
The signing was witnessed by the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut B. Pandjaitan and French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian. The LoI was signed by the French Ambassador Olivier Chambard, Deputy for Coordination of Maritime Sovereignty and Energy at the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs Basilio Dias Araujo, Country Director Agence Française de Développement Emmanuel Baudran, and President Director of PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) Zulkifli Zaini.
Coordinating Minister Luhut fully supports this cooperation.
"Cooperation between the two countries is important not only in the energy sector but also in the economic, health, IT industry, defense, maritime and environmental sectors," he told the French Foreign Minister (24-11-2021).
This LoI contains, among others, a concession loan scheme for the development of the Sustainable and Inclusive Energy Program policy; Concession loans to PLN for transmission and distribution projects, grants for experts and feasibility studies, including credit to state-owned banks for mini hydro power projects and other renewable energy.
Responding to Coordinating Minister Luhut, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian expressed his readiness to invest, especially in health and renewable energy.
“Transformation and technological innovation in the energy sector are very important and for that we will invest in these two fields in Indonesia. This is based on Indonesia's various achievements under the leadership of Coordinating Minister Luhut, both in dealing with Covid-19 at the national level and various program strategies in the energy sector, including the international agreement of world leaders to reduce carbon emissions during the G20," he said.
On the same occasion, the Deputy for Coordination of Maritime Sovereignty and Energy from the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs, Basilio Dias Araujo, stated that he would open France's access to invest in various priority renewable energy projects. In addition, he stated that France should prepare innovative financing with local partners in Indonesia. AFD has mobilized various financial instruments including technical assistance to support Indonesia with a total fund of 520 million euros worth of energy transition acceleration program.
Deputy Basilio also added that this LoI will be able to accelerate the implementation of the energy transition from fossil-based energy to new renewable energy that is sustainable and clean. This will make Indonesia one of the "global key players" in the energy transition in the world.
The French Foreign Minister conveyed his appreciation to the Government of Indonesia, because of Indonesia's seriousness in making the energy transition.
"I really appreciate Indonesia's seriousness in continuing to make energy transitions, for example replacing fossil energy sources such as coal into clean technology-based electrical energy. "I think France can take part in accelerating this transformation," said Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian on the same occasion.
After the signing of this LoI, he is sure that many French companies will want to invest in Indonesia, especially in the field of electric car batteries.
Coordinating Minister Luhut's invitation to the French side regarding investment in Indonesia has existed for a long time, and has even been discussed between the President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo and French President Emmanuel Macron. Furthermore, Coordinating Minister Luhut also reminded the potential for maritime cooperation that puts forward the green concept.
"We welcome France as a strategic partner to develop clean and sustainable technology industries in Indonesia, especially in the maritime industry," he concluded.
In the future, more detailed cooperation activities/projects carried out by France and Indonesia in this LoI will be set out in a separate agreement between France and Indonesia so that it will be more concrete. (VOI)
November
Bali's tourism recovery to show Indonesia's pandemic-handling efforts
Written by Nur Yasmin
The recovery of tourism in Bali could demonstrate that Indonesia is capable of adeptly handling COVID-19, National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) Head Suharyanto stated.
BNPB's data indicated that in 2019, some 6.3 million international tourists had visited Bali. However, in 2020, that figure only reached one million.
At a seminar participated from here on Tuesday, Suharyanto highlighted that if Bali could recover, then the nation could drive the economic pace of tourism to facilitate the revival of the people's income.
Bali's recovery could also help Indonesia to maintain the trust that the world has placed to hold the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GPDRR).
The event is a multi-stakeholder forum to monitor the progress of various forms of knowledge and discuss the latest developments in disaster risk reduction in 2022.
"We need to work hard in improving and strengthening preventive efforts by diligently maintaining the 5M (wearing masks, washing hands, maintaining social distance, reducing mobility, avoiding crowds) health protocols in our daily activities," he affirmed.
"We should also be capable of breaking the spread of infection by bolstering 3T (Testing, Tracing and Treatment)," he emphasized.
According to Suharyanto, in addition to implementing health protocols, all parties should collaborate to improve the pandemic situation in order to transition to the endemic stage.
One of the methods followed by BNPB to handle the COVID-19 pandemic was collaborating with several universities in Indonesia.
This collaboration is forged to review disaster problems in order to expedite their handling, specifically to better handle the COVID-19 pandemic in Bali.
This research by universities could support the government's measures to reduce the number of positive and death cases as well as usher in economic recovery in Bali.
Suharyanto also expects that the impact of the research conducted by universities could be felt directly by the people.
"I am optimistic that all researchers would share their knowledge and expertise in order to help address disaster problems, specifically COVID-19 in Bali and in Indonesia," he added. (Antaranews)