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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
Health Ministry urged to hasten vaccine distribution across Indonesia
Written by Nur Yasmin
The Health Ministry has been urged to hasten the distribution of vaccines across Indonesia in view of the recent spike in the country's COVID-19 death toll.
"We have conducted free vaccination drives several times, in coordination with some institutions. The Health Ministry needs to move fast. (We are) in a critical condition. The key is to hasten vaccine distribution to many regions," Hamdan Zoelva, chairman of Muslim group Syarikat Islam, said in Jakarta on Thursday.
In the past few days, Indonesia has broken the record to become one of the countries with high COVID-19 deaths, he pointed out.
According to information on the website www.worldmeters.info, 1,598 people died of COVID-19 in Indonesia on August 3, 2021. The figure was higher than the United States, which has recorded the highest number of cases in the world. While the US recorded 516 deaths, 561 people died in India the same day.
Voicing his concern, Zoelva said several regions in COVID-19 red zones in Indonesia have not received their vaccine allocation, particularly Java and Madura.
"Later on, distribution to outside Java and Bali regions needs to be carried out immediately. Herd immunity as aimed by President Jokowi (Joko Widodo) will only happen when it (it is) done simultaneously and thoroughly," he said.
Alifudin, a member of Committee IX of the House of Representatives, also urged the Health Ministry to address the unavailability of vaccine stocks in some regions without delay.
He said he had received complaints and reports from some regions about the lack of vaccine stocks.
"Do not just (focus) in Java Island, or let the central government hoard ample stock. The regions also need to do vaccination," Alifudin stressed.
According to Bhima Yudhistira from the Center of Economic and Law Studies, only 7.7 percent of the Indonesian population has been vaccinated. In order to reach herd immunity, at least 185 million people need to be vaccinated, he added.
Yudhistira said vaccine distribution is a serious issue, which can only be addressed by the Health Ministry.
"President already said that there was still so many imported vaccines, and the people have strong desire to be vaccinated. (You can) see from the gathering of people who want to be vaccinated in some places," he remarked.
He warned that economic growth would be stunted if, due to lack of vaccine stocks, vaccination programs have to be postponed in some regions.
Data from the Health Ministry has shown that the majority of Indonesia's COVID-19 patients who succumbed to the infection had either not been vaccinated or had been disinclined to it.
"According to data from the Health Ministry, 90 percent of COVID-19 patients (in Indonesia) died because they did not want or had not received a vaccine," State-owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir said in a written statement on Wednesday (July 7, 2021).
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has said that 99.5 percent of people who died of COVID-19 in the past six months were not inoculated.
At a press conference at the White House in the beginning of July this year, Dr. Rochelle Walensky from CDC had said that every death caused by COVID-19 could have been avoided with vaccination. (Antaranews)
August
Indonesia proposes formation of digital economy working group at G20
Written by Nur Yasmin
Indonesian Minister of Communication and Informatics Johnny G. Plate has proposed the upgrading of the Digital Economy Task Force to a digital economy working group, during a virtual G20 ministerial meeting on the digital sector. "We believe that the proposal to upgrade the status of the task force to a digital economy working group will strengthen the collaborative efforts of G20 member countries," he said in a statement on Thursday.
The working group is expected to become a coordination platform for streamlining the digital issues of other working groups under the G20 platform, Plate said.
“The existence of such a working group will help avoid possible duplication in other G20 sectors and generate stronger commitment, legitimacy and institutional arrangements for discussing digital issues," he added.
Plate announced the idea during a virtual meeting with the Italian Minister of Technology Innovation and Digital Transition, Vittorio Colao, on Wednesday.
The meeting’s discussions include the assessment, management and impact of the digital economy, as well as consumer awareness and protection, the use blockchain in the global value chain of consumer goods, and the protection and empowerment of children in the digital environment.
Issues regarding innovation for smart cities, social connectivity and inclusion, cross-border data flow and data flow with trust, digital tools for public services and business continuity, digital identity, and flexible regulations will also be discussed at the G20 meeting.
The meeting will produce the declaration of G20 digital ministers covering the priority issues of the Italian Presidency, including digital transformation for economic recovery, the safe use of artificial intelligence for MSME inclusiveness, and promoting startups.
Plate also praised the Italian Presidency of this year's G20, which accommodates Indonesia's ambitions for the G20 presidency in 2022. (Antaranews)
August
BI, Japanese finance ministry strengthen local currency cooperation
Written by Nur Yasmin
Bank Indonesia and Japan’s Ministry of Finance (JMOF) have agreed to strengthen the framework for local currency settlement (LCS) transactions between the two countries in rupiah-yen which has been implemented since August 31, 2020. "The strengthening is meant to provide an easing of rules for foreign exchange transactions in the framework of settling bilateral transactions between the two countries with the rupiah-yen," quoted an official statement from Bank Indonesia on Thursday.
The strengthening includes the expansion of hedging instruments, implementation of hedging based on trade and investment projections, increased flexibility in transfers for IDR accounts in Japan, and the increased threshold value for transactions without underlying documents up to US$500,000 per transaction.
The strengthening of the cooperation framework, which will take effect on August 5, 2021, is part of ongoing efforts to encourage trade and investment as well as strengthen macroeconomic stability by encouraging wider use of local currencies for trade settlements and direct investment between Indonesia and Japan.
It is also in line with the Memorandum of Understanding signed by BI and the JMOF on December 5, 2019.
The strategy for strengthening the LCS framework is part of the joint efforts of BI and the JMOF in encouraging the wider use of local currency for businesses and individuals to facilitate and increase trade, direct investment, and other transaction activities such as remittances between Indonesia and Japan. (Antaranews)
KubeCon + CloudNativeCon North America 2021
August
Indonesia needs Rp3,779 trillion to tackle climate change: Minister
Written by Nur Yasmin
Indonesia will need an investment of Rp3,779 trillion instead of Rp3,461 trillion projected earlier to address climate change and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 2030, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati has said.
"It is an extraordinary high number and that's only for needs in Indonesia," she said during an online discussion on Wednesday.
Thus, Indonesia will need an investment of US$365 billion, with the government's contribution pegged at 26 percent, she noted.
"This is an extraordinary number. But, if we want to reduce carbon dioxide even higher by up to 41 percent, then the investment requirement will reach US$479 billion," she remarked.
Tackling climate change requires policies and frameworks involving collaboration between the government, the private sector, and the global community to meet the cost needs of the handling, according to the former managing director of the World Bank.
The Indonesian government is mulling several solutions and policies to tackle climate change, including policies on carbon pricing, carbon markets, and carbon taxes, Indrawati informed.
A budget tagging scheme has been introduced in the state budget (APBN) to encourage transparency and an established climate change budget, she said.
The government has also diversified Indonesia's financial instruments for climate change, she added. This has been an achievement for Indonesia and has brought it global attention, she remarked. (Antaranews)
August
Task Force: Delta variant accounts for 76 percent of cases
Written by Nur Yasmin
The Delta variant dominates COVID-19 cases in Indonesia, contributing nearly 76 percent of the total cases. Dr. Koesmedi Priharto, Task Force's Head of the COVID-19 Tracing Sub-Division, said."Most cases in Indonesia are the Delta variant, which account for nearly 76 percent of cases. In theory, the virus is still a self-limiting disease," Dr. Priharto said in an online dialogue, entitled, "Know and Prevent New Variants of COVID-19 Virus," held in Jakarta on Wednesday.
He added that the Delta variant is more contagious and spreads more quickly, and its rapid transmission is also caused by human behavior, enabling person-to-person transmission.
"When humans behave well, the number of infectious cases will decrease. But if human behavior in the region is bad, then that number will increase," he stressed.
Ede Surya Darmawan, Chairman of the Indonesian Public Health Association (IAKMI), said infection by the Delta variant does not have specific symptoms that differ from other variants.
"The symptoms caused by the Delta variant compared to other variants are not different, meaning that the virus still attacks respiratory organs from the nose to the lungs," he added.
He then reminded the public to be mindful of the conditions of the COVID-19 patients, especially those with underlying medical issues.
"COVID-19 is known as the great imitator, due to its ability to imitate and exacerbate underlying conditions, so this fact must be understood by the public," he affirmed, urging everyone affected who are systematic to immediately self-isolate in their homes and undergo swab antigen or PCR testing.
"Immediately take the COVID-19 test while you are still healthy and fit, which will make it easier to treat. Afterwards, please self-isolate at home to avoid infecting other family members," he said in conclusion. (Antaranews)
August
Ministry reveals four keys to escape middle-income trap
Written by Nur Yasmin
Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati has revealed the four keys to pull Indonesia out of the middle-income trap. "Only fewer than 20 countries have managed to escape the middle-income trap. This is a real challenge," she said in an online discussion here Wednesday.
The first key is improving the quality of human resources since it can increase the country’s productivity to be a high-income nation, according to the minister.
Education, health, and social security sectors are crucial to improving human resources, she stated.
"The government has allocated an abundant budget for the three sectors. However, it is not only about the budget. Reformation and effectiveness are also important to have great human resources," she said.
Meanwhile, the second one is excellent infrastructure, Indrawati said.
She also emphasized the importance of having cooperation with private parties in funding infrastructure development as no country has managed to merely depend on its state budget to build its infrastructure.
Furthermore, the third key is improving the regulations and bureaucracy, she continued.
Attempts are currently on through the Job Creation Law. The government has urged both national and regional public institutions to serve the public better, she informed.
The fourth and last one is the ability to transform the Indonesian economy into a digital economy based on efficiency and productivity by conducting competitive, simple and open regulations, the minister added.
"Reforms have been partially regulated in the Job Creation Law and Taxation Law by abolishing the regulations that hinder the business sector. We will keep improving every aspect to facilitate the sector, especially the public services," she added. (Antaranews)
August
US affirms support for Indonesia's COVID-handling efforts
Written by Nur Yasmin
The United States has expressed support for the efforts made by Indonesia to handle its coronavirus crisis and pledged an additional US$30 million in COVID-19 aid for the country.
US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan expressed his nation's support during a meeting with Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi on Monday, spokesperson for the US National Security Council (NSC), Emily Horne, said in a written statement issued by the US Embassy in Jakarta on Tuesday.
During their meeting, Marsudi and Sullivan discussed the recent surge in COVID-19 cases in Indonesia, and Sullivan expressed his sympathy for those affected by the pandemic.
He also stressed that the US will always work with the Indonesian people and support their battle against the pandemic.
The US will provide an additional US$30 million in COVID-19 aid for Indonesia, taking the total US assistance extended to Indonesia since the onset of the pandemic to more than US$65 million, Sullivan said.
The aid will be used to support the procurement of additional oxygen and medical supplies for COVID-19 patients and improve Indonesia's capability to distribute vaccines, including support for the vaccine cold chain distribution, facility preparedness, and other steps, he said.
During their meeting, Marsudi and Sullivan also discussed the 8 million COVID-19 vaccine doses donated by the US to Indonesia through the COVAX facility and personal protective equipment (PPE) provided by the US Department of Defense to the Indonesian armed forces for the civil medical system.
They also discussed Indonesia's sustainable leadership to promote global health security and agreed on the importance of creating a sustainable global health partnership.
Besides bilateral cooperation between the two countries, Sullivan also underscored the United States' firm commitment to Southeast Asia and reiterated US support for ASEAN's centrality and its important role as a regional Indo-Pacific architect. (Antaranews)
August
Eight provinces experience fall in COVID-19 transmissions
Written by Nur Yasmin
Head of the Expert Team for the COVID-19 Task Force, Prof Wiku Adisasmito, said the number of transmission cases in eight provinces displayed a downward trend for two consecutive weeks.
"This is a positive achievement that must be maintained. The decline in cases and the decline in positivity rates indicates a decrease in transmission in the community," Wiku Adisasmito said in a report on the progress of handling COVID-19, which was monitored virtually from the BNPB YouTube, here on Tuesday.
The eight provinces are the Riau Islands, Jakarta, West Java, East Java, Banten, Bali, Maluku and North Maluku.
Wiku said that the implementation of public activity restrictions (PPKM) level 4 on 26 July to 2 August 2021 had brought about an improvement in the pandemic situation in a number of areas.
One of the indicators, Wiku noted, is a decrease in the number of daily cases, a decrease in the utilization of patient beds in hospitals and an increase in the recovery rate of COVID-19 patients.
"The government has decided to extend the period of PPKM Level 4 starting from August 3 to August 9, 2021," he said.
According to Wiku, the government's policy in handling the COVID-19 pandemic concentrates on three main pillars, namely the 3M health protocol (wearing masks, washing hands and maintaining distance), 3T efforts (testing, tracing and treatment) and vaccinations.
Wiku said that in the last two weeks, positive cases at the national level had shown a downward trend from the highest peak, which took place three weeks ago, from 350,273 to 289,029, and then fell to 273,891 patients.
"This was in line with the weekly positivity rates, which also decreased in the last two weeks, from the previous 30.72 percent to 27.38 percent and fell again to 25.18 percent," he said.
Wiku praised the public, who have been patient for four weeks while complying with health protocols.
"Looking at the results of the data, we can be optimistic that the number of positive cases and positivity rates can continue to decline in the future if local governments continue to improve the handling of COVID-19 in their regions and the community can continue to be disciplined in implementing health protocols," he said.
Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian earlier issued three extensions of instructions pertaining to Level 4 public activities restrictions (PPKM) in Java, Bali, and outside the two islands, to their respective regional heads.
The three Instructions of the Minister of Home Affairs -- number 27, number 28, and number 29 -- were issued as guidelines for regional heads in implementing the extension of PPKM on August 3-9, 2021.
Most of the restrictions, especially for areas designated as level 3 and level 4, have largely remained unchanged. Non-essential activities are required to take place virtually, while essential activities are allowed to operate up to 50 percent of the normal capacity.
Activities in the critical sector are allowed to take place 100 percent face-to-face, albeit in adherence to strict health protocols. (Antaranews)
August
500,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccine arrive in Indonesia
Written by Nur Yasmin
Indonesia received 500 thousand doses of the Sinopharm vaccine at Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Cengkareng, Banten on Tuesday afternoon, bringing the total Sinopharm doses the country has secured so far to 8 million.
The Sinopharm vaccines have been secured for the Gotong Royong (mutual help) vaccination program, which has resulted from a collaboration between state-owned pharmaceutical enterprises and the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin).
"Indonesia again received 500 thousand doses of the Sinopharm vaccine," Deputy Minister of State-owned Enterprises (SOEs), Pahala Mansury, informed at an online press conference on Tuesday.
"In accordance with the direction of the President, we needed to accelerate the arrival of these vaccines so the citizens can get vaccinated as soon as possible," he added.
Mansury asked business entities or legal entities wishing to vaccinate employees and their families or the surrounding community under the independent vaccination program to contact the SOEs Ministry or the Kadin.
He emphasized that the Gotong Royong program is a joint effort that is meant to support the national vaccination target of 2 million doses per day.
"We hope that people will not hesitate to get vaccinated, either through the Gotong Royong vaccination program or the government's vaccination program," the Deputy Minister said.
Meanwhile, vice chairwoman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), Shinta Kamdani, said the strong cooperation between Kimia Farma and the Kadin is expected to accelerate the implementation of Gotong Royong vaccinations for workers, workers' families, and surrounding communities throughout Indonesia.
She said that though she was initially doubtful about the supply of vaccines, the existing vaccine supply is sufficient to be allocated to companies interested in joining the Gotong Royong vaccination program.
"We are grateful that now the need for vaccines can be met, and for that, we will continue to help accelerate vaccinations to achieve the targets set by the government," she remarked.
Shinta also said that entrepreneurs fully support the government's steps and policies in handling COVID-19, including the public activity restrictions (PPKM), which is currently underway. (Antaranews)
August
Mahfud pushes ASEAN collaboration for post-pandemic recovery
Written by Nur Yasmin
Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs has sought ASEAN collaboration through "cross-pillar coordination" to implement the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework (ACRF) for post-pandemic recovery.
"In this regard, the ASEAN Political-Security Community Council (APSC) must support the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR)'s role in ACRF to mainstream human rights in the post-pandemic recovery process towards a resilient region," Mahfud MD said at the 23rd meeting of the ASEAN Political Security Community Council (APSC Council), held virtually on Monday.
This will make the ASEAN collaboration stronger in terms of developing and supplying much-needed COVID-19 vaccines and drugs, he explained.
At the meeting, Mahfud also highlighted counterterrorism cooperation among ASEAN member states through the active participation of the sectoral bodies of ASEAN and consistent implementation of the Bali Work Plan 2019-2025.
"The Bali Work Plan reflects our commitment to synergize inter-sectoral and inter-pillar collaboration among 19 sectoral bodies to thwart rising radicalism and prevent violent extremism," he said in a press statement.
The Indonesian delegation at the meeting comprised Mahfud MD and Vice Foreign Minister Mahendra Siregar.
Foreign ministers of ASEAN member states and ASEAN Secretary General Dato’ Lim Jock Hoi also attended the meeting.
At the meeting, Mahfud MD further reiterated the importance of cooperation among ASEAN member states in the legal sector.
"ASEAN leaders adopted the vision in Bali Concord in 1976 to create an extradition mechanism. For our part, we encourage all ASEAN member states to support the ongoing ASEAN Seniors Law Officials Meeting Working Group on ASEAN Extradition Treaty," he said.
He expressed the hope that ASEAN member states would adopt a flexible approach in negotiations, in the spirit of ASEAN cooperation.
"These all constitute a collective goal to prevent the ASEAN region from harboring criminals," he said. (Antaranews)