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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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August
Data on vaccine stocks, distribution available on SMILE app: ministry
Written by Nur Yasmin
The Health Ministry has made information regarding COVID-19 vaccine stocks and their distribution available to the public through the SMILE application, a spokesperson has informed.
"Records of vaccine and logistics of COVID-19 vaccinations using logistics electronic monitoring system (SMILE) can now be accessed by the public," spokesperson for COVID-19 vaccinations for the Health Ministry, Siti Nadia Tarmizi, said at an online press conference, accessed from here on Thursday.
The SMILE application was developed from the Health Ministry's vaccination dashboard, which can be accessed via the website https://vaksin.kemkes.go.id, she informed.
Logistics records and reports available on the SMILE application include vaccine batch numbers, expiry dates, logistics of received vaccines, allocated vaccines, amount of vaccines administered, and the number of bad or expired vaccines, she said.
"In the vaccine distribution process, it is recorded in the vaccine distribution application that is connected to SMILE, which will record according to the batch numbers, expiry dates of vaccines received from the distributors who sent it at each level," she elaborated.
She added that Indonesia has received 190 million doses of vaccines, both in finished form and in the form of raw materials.
"Indonesia will get COVID-19 vaccines again on Thursday (August 19, 2021), with approximately 2.5 million doses that will arrive in the country," she informed.
So far, 84.5 million vaccine doses have been administered in the country, and comprise 54.9 million first doses and 29.5 million second doses, she said.
Explaining the process of data compilation, she said that all vaccine-related information is summarized by the provincial health officer through the SMILE application and uploaded using a cellphone.
"If vaccine allocation data and logistics are not yet available on the SMILE application, the provincial health office can input the number of vaccines allocated for vaccinations during a certain period by themselves," he said. (Antaranews)
August
People aged above 12 can take Pfizer jab: spokesperson
Written by Nur Yasmin
The Pfizer vaccine can be used for citizens aged above 12 in the country, spokesperson for the COVID-19 Task Force, Wiku Adisasmito, has said.
"The Pfizer vaccine can be used for people aged 12 years and over and local governments who will receive Pfizer vaccine allocations are asked to be able to administer them immediately so that people in their regions can be protected and increase the coverage of the vaccination program," he said at an online press conference here on Thursday.
On Thursday (August 19), the Indonesian government received 1.5 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, Adisasmito said.
The Drug and Food Control Agency (BPOM) had issued Emergency-Use of Authorization (EUA) for the Pfizer vaccine in July 2021.
According to BPOM, the efficacy of the Pfizer vaccine is 100 percent for the 12-15 year age group and 95.5 percent for those aged 16 years and above.
"In addition to the Pfizer vaccines, today the government also received 450 thousand doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine through a bilateral scheme," Adisasmito informed on Thursday.
The spokesperson said he hoped that the arrival of the vaccines would accelerate the national vaccination program so more people in the country could get vaccinated.
In a bid to stem the spread of COVID-19 and build herd immunity, the Indonesian government had launched a nationwide vaccination program on January 13, 2021, with President Joko Widodo becoming the nation's first vaccine recipient.
As of Thursday (August 19, 2021), 56,322,284 people (27.04 percent of the target population) have received the first vaccine dose and 30,590,045 people (14.69 percent of the target population) have received the second dose of the vaccine, according to data from the Ministry of Health. (Antaranews)
August
COVID-19: Bali receives 2,400 ventilators from Australia
Written by Nur Yasmin
The Bali provincial government has received 2,400 ventilators from the Australian government to help handle COVID-19 cases in the tourist island.
"Once again, we, on behalf of the Bali provincial government and the community, express gratitude for the assistance," Bali Vice Governor Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardhana Sukawati said while receiving the assistance from Australian Consul General Anthea Griffin at the cargo warehouse of the I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Badung, Bali, on Wednesday.
The assistance also included 1,440 pieces of FFM-SML-Row masks and 1,460 pieces of FFM-LGE-Row masks, he noted.
He expressed the hope that both Australia and Indonesia will soon be free from the COVID-19 pandemic and relations between the two countries will be more solid than before.
The assistance will be very useful to handle the COVID-19 pandemic in Bali, he said.
COVID-19 cases in Bali are still fluctuating, he remarked. Hopefully, the curve of COVID-19 cases will flatten soon thanks to various steps taken to handle the pandemic, he added.
"This way Bali will be able to recover and the economy and tourism will return to normal," he said.
Meanwhile, Griffin said the assistance is meant as humanitarian aid to help alleviate the burden on the Bali provincial government, particularly in handling the COVID-19 pandemic.
As neighboring states, Australia and Indonesia should offer mutual help although Australia is still battling the pandemic, she said. However, mutual help remains an obligation, she added.
"We hope this assistance can be used as good as possible and we hope the pandemic will be over soon so everything will return to normal," Griffin said. (Antaranews)
August
Nations grapple to salvage state budget for economic recovery: RI
Written by Nur Yasmin
Nations worldwide are currently struggling to recover their state budget after being channeled for handling the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Finance Minister Sri Mulyani.
"Every country in the world is reeling from impacts of the pandemic, and they have also implemented extraordinary policies in utilizing their state budget," Mulyani remarked during the Tax Directorate General (DJP) IT Summit 2021 online event here on Wednesday.
To this end, Mulyani expressed her steadfast commitment to continuing to coordinate with tax authorities worldwide to formulate the most apposite policy.
The minister believes Indonesia's state budget should be salvaged in the medium to long term after striving incessantly for two years to handle the COVID-19 pandemic and to work towards economic recovery.
Mulyani emphasized that boosting the nation's revenue, especially taxes, was one of the key factors in fiscal consolidation and state budget recovery.
Hence, the minister deems reformation in taxation as being important.
"We all know that the pandemic-induced economic shock is one of the important triggers. However, the other factor that has to become an element in designing taxation reformation is the utilization of digital technology," the minister stated.
The minister believes that reforming the taxation policy and administration were two key factors in taxation reformation, especially for handling the pandemic and the technological revolution.
In addition to boosting national revenue, Mulyani noted that the government should conduct various reforms in the nation's finance sector, including by evaluating spending or through better spending as well as via innovative state financing to recover the state budget. (Antaranews)
August
Anticipating potential of COVID-19 becoming endemic: govt
Written by Nur Yasmin
The Indonesian Government is anticipating the likelihood of the COVID-19 pandemic becoming endemic based on scientific research, Head of Fiscal Policy at the Finance Ministry Febrio Kacaribu has said.
"Of course, we will continue to anticipate every latest development. (The question is) How should we prepare ourselves as an economic nation," he said during an online discussion here on Wednesday.
Kacaribu was referring to a Nature Magazine survey of 119 immunologists, infectious-disease researchers, and virologists in 23 countries.
"When asked about how likely do you think that SARS-CoV-2 will become an endemic virus, 89 percent of them answered that it is very likely to become endemic," Kacaribu highlighted.
The government must hence remain focused on protecting the public's safety in confronting the risk and the uncertainty of COVID-19, he added.
The steps that have been implemented to prepare for living with the pandemic involve making the 5Ms -- masking, hand washing, social distancing, crowd avoidance, mobility reduction -- a culture, and intensifying the implementation of the 3Ts -- testing, tracing, treatment, he informed.
Creating a reliable and prepared health system is also a step that has been implemented, he added.
Kacaribu noted that the government will also expedite the vaccination program since this is the main strategy for ensuring sustainable recovery.
Indonesia is experiencing an outstanding development in vaccination acceleration, he said.
Vaccinations have crossed one million on average per day in Indonesia to the point where the country has been ranked ninth in vaccination realization in the world, he added.
"This is something that we continue to push since we cannot be satisfied with 1.15 million per day as of August 17 (2021)," he remarked.
The government is targeting to vaccinate around 70 percent of Indonesia's total population, or 208 million people, by the end of the year so that citizens confidence in carrying out activities can improve. (Antaranews)
August
Independence commemoration reminder to fight pandemic together: FSK
Written by Nur Yasmin
The second Independence Day commemoration amid the pandemic must serve as a momentum for all citizens to work together to fight against the crisis, Coordinator of Human Solidarity National Forum (FSK), Sudirman Said, has said.
"May the commemoration of independence give inspiration to the public to gather together and work to free ourselves from the invisible colonizer called COVID-19," he remarked in a written statement on the nation's 76th Independence Day (August 17, 2021), issued on Tuesday.
This year's commemoration of Independence Day was different because the public remained concerned about the pandemic, which limited the displays of enthusiasm that are normally witnessed on the festive day, he said.
There is still much uncertainty about the end of the COVID-19 pandemic among the people, he observed and suggested a triad of measures for COVID-19 handling, based on methods adopted by other countries.
"The first is massive public education and literacy. Second, the vaccination program's acceleration. Third, adapting strict health protocols as our new normal," he expounded.
He said that the pandemic has brought a valuable lesson about humanity and the solidarity of the nation.
Collaboration between the government, companies, organizations, communities, and other stakeholders has become very important, given the pandemic can only be controlled if everyone works together, Said remarked.
The pandemic has also taught another important lesson, as it has demanded adaptation and change in all areas, he said. Things like working styles, how to do business, how to get along and interact in the future are expected to rely heavily on technology, he added.
"These difficult times are a good chance to make major adjustments. Technological mastery will be an important factor. Adaptability is also needed. Next year, we have to stay prepared (if) things still haven't changed, but should COVID-19 be over, it will be an added value," he said.
The community activity restrictions in Java and Bali regions were effective in suppressing the outbreak rate, Said observed. He said he hopes that the policy will continue to be consistently implemented outside Java and Bali regions to anticipate potential infection spikes.
"Simultaneous community activities restrictions in Java and Bali regions, which were enforced for a long period have proven to be effective in reducing the number of cases. Therefore, we expect that the same policy will be consistently applied outside Java and Bali, especially in densely populated areas," he said. (Antaranews)
August
TNI Commander lauds health workers on Independence Day
Written by Nur Yasmin
National Defense Forces (TNI) Commander Air Chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto visited the Kemayoran Athletes Village COVID-19 Emergency Hospital to encourage and support health workers on the day Indonesians celebrated 76th Independence Day on Tuesday.
"They have worked hard to treat the patients in this COVID-19 emergency hospital as well as other TNI and National Police (Polri) hospitals," he was quoted as saying in a written statement that ANTARA received here the same day.
On the occasion, the TNI Commander along with National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, Head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) Lt.Gen Ganip Warsito, and Jakarta Military Command Chief Major General Mulyo Aji lauded health workers for their dedication amid the pandemic.
The health workers are willing to also assist the vaccination program throughout Indonesia, Tjahjanto said.
"Furthermore, they have distributed medicines, social assistance, and basic necessities packages as well as set up public kitchens," he added and emphasized that dealing with the pandemic requires the cooperation of all institutions and community groups.
"Thanks to the collaboration among all national components. Currently, the number of confirmed cases is starting to fall," he noted.
The TNI Commander informed that the highest number of cases were recorded on July 15, 2021 at 56,757. However, on Monday (August 16, 2021), the number had fallen to 17,384 cases, he noted.
"Meanwhile, the highest bed occupancy rate in Kemayoran Athletes Village COVID-19 Emergency Hospital reached 97 percent on July 30 (2021) with 7,167 patients. However, currently, the occupancy rate is recorded at 19.04 percent with 1,503 patients,” he said.
However, he asked citizens to remain careful as the infection rate is still at 15.95 percent.
Moreover, he also noted that the massive tracking efforts made by TNI and Polri officers as well as volunteers were among the factors that helped check the increase in positive cases.
"Once again, I express my highest gratitude and pride to all TNI soldiers, Polri officers, BNPB officers, health and non-health workers, regional governments, as well as public organizations as you all have worked tirelessly to deal with the pandemic," Tjahjanto remarked. (Antaranews)
August
Citizens must stay alert despite drop in COVID cases: minister
Written by Nur Yasmin
Communication and Informatics Minister Johnny G. Plate has urged citizens to remain vigilant even though the number of COVID-19 cases in the country has declined.
"Along with the implementation of Public Activity Restrictions (PPKM) Levels 4, 3, 2, in Java-Bali, we observe a downward trend in the positivity rate, patient care, (daily) confirmed cases, and mortality rates in almost all provinces in Java-Bali," Plate observed in a press statement released on Tuesday.
Currently, public mobility in Java and Bali has mostly returned to the way it was before the surge in infections caused by the Delta variant, he noted.
Therefore, everyone must remain vigilant and be extra careful so that there is no increase in cases in the next two to three weeks, he urged.
According to data from the Ministry of Communication and Informatics, on August 15, 2021, Indonesia's confirmed COVID-19 cases fell 76 percent from the peak while active cases were down 53 percent from the peak.
The number of recovered patients also increased, while the number of deaths fell.
Based on President Joko Widodo's evaluation and direction, the government has decided to extend Levels 4, 3, and 2 PPKM in Java and Bali until August 23, 2021.
Under the extension, eight additional districts and cities have entered PPKM Level 3. Meanwhile, the number of regencies and cities that have entered Level 3 PPKM and Level 2 PPKM has reached 61.
Based on the results of field visits some time ago, the government has observed that some improvements still need to be made in several areas.
The government has made several interventions to control infections, including mobilizing self-isolated patients to isolation centers provided by the city and district governments and ensuring the availability of medicines and oxygen concentrators.
"The government continues to take various policies and intervention measures to control the pandemic. With these steps, we hope that there will be significant improvements next week, especially in Bali and Greater Malang," the minister said. (Antaranews)
August
Kadin, INACA explore import of PCR test kits for aviation industry
Written by Nur Yasmin
The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) and the National Airline Association (INACA) are exploring the import of COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test kits for national aviation purposes.
"Cooperation in possible import of good quality PCR but at cheaper price has been conducted with several producing countries," Denon Prawiratmadja, Kadin's Deputy Chairperson for Transportation, said in a statement here, Sunday.
He said a lot of complaints from the public had been received very high price of PCR tests in Indonesia, and it could even be more expensive than the price of airplane tickets.
Hence, he said, his party tried to find PCR test kits that are cheap but having good quality to help ease the burden of airplane passengers.
The imported PCR test kits would be distributed to airports and other places. Hence, the PCR testing process for people planning to travel by plane could be faster, more practical and cheaper, he added
Prawiratmadja, concurrently the general chairman of INACA, said that several producing countries such as India and Japan, were being approached for the plan to import PCR test kits.
"We have to move quickly because many other countries are also looking for PCR test kits in the world market. We hope that soon we will get it," he added.
Strict health protocol is now one of the additional principles that must be adhered to in aviation.
Previously the flight principle was 3S + 1C, now it is 3S + 1C + 1H (Safety, Security, Services through Compliance and Healthy).
"By applying the 3S + 1C + 1H principles, we from the aviation sector hope to be able to participate in helping the government in accelerating the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia. Hopefully the pandemic will soon disappear from the country and life will return to normal," he said. (Antaranews)
August
Ministry says four dams, weir gifts for Indonesia on Independence Day
Written by Nur Yasmin
The Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) has said that four new dams and one weir are ready for inauguration as gifts for the Republic of Indonesia on its 76th Independence Day that falls on August 17, this year.
The construction of the four dams was part of the National Strategic Project (PSN) as stated in Presidential Regulation No. 109 of 2020 concerning the Acceleration of the Implementation of PSN, PUPR Minister Basuki Hadimuljono said here on Sunday.
The dams and weir are expected to help control flooding and increase the volume of water storage needed to maintain irrigation water supply to agricultural land.
The four new dams are respectively Way Sekampung Dam in Pringsewu District, Lampung Province; Bendo Dam in Ponorogo District, East Java Province; Paselloreng Dam in Wajo District, South Sulawesi Province, and Kuningan Dam in Kuningan District, West Java Province.
Meanwhile, Gilireng Weir located in Arajang village, Wajo District, receives water from Paselloreng Dam and supply water to irrigation networks in Wajo farming areas.
Basically, the five projects are ready for inauguration this August, Endra S. Atmawidjaja, Expert Staff to the Minister of PUPR for Technology, Industry and Environment, concurrently, the PUPR ministry's spokesman, said.
The ministry, however, was still waiting for the confirmation on the exact dates of the inauguration ceremony from the Presidential Palace, he added.
He reiterated that the four new dams and one weir are gifts for the Indonesian nation which will celebrate the 76th anniversary on August 17. (Antaranews)